Even before the decision was made to fire Jerod Mayo by Robert Kraft, the Patriots roster was expected to undergo a serious makeover this offseason after putting together another disappointing year that resulted in a 4-13 record. Armed with league-high cap space and some desirable draft picks, there is a lot new head coach Mike Vrabel can do to accomplish that.
Most of the focus has surrounded the quality of players needed to make them a competitive team again, meaning they'll have to use their cap space wisely in free agency. But they'll also have a good opportunity to get franchise-changing players in the draft on either side of the football.
Some of those decisions might come from players on an expiring contract during the 2025 season, some of whom have been critical players to the Patriots' success over the last several years.
The new regime will have to look at that list to determine who is worthy of staying, with David Andrews and Ja'Whaun Bentley leading the group, and how extending or cutting some could make even more room for big moves ahead of the draft.
Read More: Full list of New England Patriots free agents this offseason
Every New England Patriots player entering the last year of their contract in 2025
PLAYER NAME | POSITION |
---|---|
David Andrews | C |
Ja'Whaun Bentley | LB |
Isaiah Bolden | CB |
Marcus Jones | CB |
Eric Johnson | DT |
Titus Leo | DE |
Vederian Lowe | T |
Tyrese Robinson | G |
Jaquelin Roy | DT |
Lecitus Smith | C |
Cole Strange | G |
Sione Takitaki | LB |
One of the best aspects of this list is the number of players who are yet to make much of an impact in New England that would be easy cut candidates for Vrabel and Co. Most were signed by the previous coaching staff and weren't given much chance to get on the field for various reasons.
Regardless, the Patriots no longer have to keep them on the roster for the sake of depth and can create more cap space by cutting them now. But that doesn't mean guys like Andrews, Bentley, or even Marcus Jones should be on the chopping block.
They are the leading players who, depending on their production, should either receive a contract extension before the season starts or, at the very least, be considered for one once the season is over. That might be the more likely scenario for Andrews and Bentley since they missed nearly all of the 2024 season due to injury.