The 2026 NFL offseason is underway. Free agency for the New England Patriots and all other teams begins on March 11. Head Coach and personnel evaluator, Mike Vrabel, has his work cut out for him this offseason. After a Cinderella-like ride to the Super Bowl, his carriage turned into a pumpkin.
One key area that requires immediate attention in free agency, as noted by former NFL safety Tyrann Mathieu, is the offensive line. He cited the Chiefs' experience one season as an example.
Vrabel put together a stopgap offensive line on the fly. No one felt that he had put all the future pieces in place. Veterans he brought in, like Morgan Moses, who'll be 35 this season, and Garrett Bradbury, aren't long-term solutions.
Along with the edge, the offensive line has to be a top offseason priority for Vrabel. His O-line surrendered an unacceptable 47 sacks during the 2025 regular season. They fared even worse in the playoffs, where they gave up 21, and the six in the Super Bowl helped dash any chance the team had. Vrabel has to address the O-Line early and often, beginning with free agency.
The Patriots should act early in free agency to shore up the offensive line
There will be no time for Mike Vrabel to lose in free agency, as he should move quickly to shore up his offensive line with younger, solid NFL professionals. This is an imperative for Vrabel if he's to not only enhance his 2026 chances but keep his star quarterback, Drake Maye, on his feet.
In an X post, former NFL safety Tyrann Mathieu suggested that the Patriots take a page out of the Kansas City Chiefs' playbook this offseason.
Tyrann Mathieu gives his advice to the New England Patriots after losing Super Bowl LX 👀
— In The Bayou With Tyrann Mathieu (@InTheBayouPod) February 14, 2026
“New England should take sort of the Kansas City Chiefs approach. After we lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers… the very next day, they got new offensive linemen.” pic.twitter.com/TK0d497tw6
Mathieu couldn't be any more correct. Vrabel should jump at the outset in free agency to first add a top guard. He can then move 2025's left guard, Jared Wilson, to his more suitable position of center. Then, Vrabel will have to add even more to the O-line, as well.
MIke Vrabel needs to add two or three new and improved starters to his 2026 offensive line
A free-agent Vrabel should zero in on whether he's available is Buffalo Bills guard David Edwards. He won't be cheap, but he'll slot in immediately as the starting left guard. It's also addition by subtraction, taking a top O-lineman from the Bills.
Even if he signs a top free agent like Edwards, Vrabel still has to hit both the guard and tackle positions hard in the draft with high- to higher picks. Moses is a short-timer, and Bradbury won't likely be around. The need for three top additions on the O-line is non-negotiable if Vrabel hopes to improve on their poor 2025 performance.
Tyrann Mathieu was spot on in his suggestion that the Patriots immediately move in free agency to bolster their offensive line, like the Chiefs did after they lost the 2021 Super Bowl to Tampa Bay. It's a good lesson for Vrabel to heed. Going to the Super Bowl is one thing, but winning it is a horse of a different color.
If he wants to get back there and win it, one of the keys is dramatically improving his offensive line. They make everything else work. We'll see if he takes Mathieu's advice.