The New England Patriots and Coach Mike Vrabel suffered a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Now it's onto the 2026 offseason. Vrabel has a lot of work to do to bolster his roster in Phase II of his revamp. Fortunately, he has the main piece in place in quarterback Drake Maye.
Yet, he has big needs, and one of them is at the edge. One top player who may not be available is free agent super pass-rusher, Trey Hendrickson, who may be franchise-tagged by the Bengals.
Hendrickson had an injury-riddled 2025, yet when healthy, he's a prolific sack producer. In 2023 and 2024, he racked up a combined total of 35 sacks. He's just what the doctor ordered for the sack-needy Patriots, who were outsacked in the Super Bowl 6-1. The offensive line gave up those six sacks and needs a major overhaul, but the lack of sack-protection hurt, as well.
A "tag-and-trade deal" may be considered, but that will be costly in both draft capital and salary for the 31-year-old Hendrickson. So Vrabel will have to monitor that situation closely to see if Hendrickson winds up on the open market.
A healthy Trey Hendrickson is a top NFL pass-rusher
The Patriots need to bolster their pass-rush. It, along with O-line, is their top offseason priority. Failure to bolster both adequately will severely hamper their 2026 prospects, as a much tougher schedule awaits them after winning the AFC East title.
Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggest that the Cincinnati Bengals may apply the franchise tag to defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
That would be a problem for the Patriots' hopes to sign him in free agency.
"'It's like, 'Ok, he's going to play that out. He's going to hit free agency and his time with the Bengals is done.' I'm not so sure,' (Mike) Garafolo said on Thursday. 'I think a franchise tag is in play here.' 'I say that you're correct,' (Ian) Rapoport added. 'They paid him 30 [million] last year. So it's not that much more ($36.7 million cap hit). And the Bengals hate to let really good players leave the building. They just hate it.
They like good players. And when at all possible, they would like to keep good players. It has been no doubt, a frustrating couple of years for Trey Hendrickson when it comes to the last year, staying on the field and to the contract negotiations. Might stay in that same ballpark this coming year. We'll see, though, if they can work out a deal again. That makes sense for all sides. Again.'"
One thing is certain: the Patriots will need to expend both free-agent capital (if possible) and, certainly, draft capital on the edge. The problem will be greatly enhanced if they lose one of their two starters, K'Lavon Chaisson, if he leaves in free agency.
But even if he re-signs, additions are necessary.
MIke Vrabel has to be innovative to get the sack-producers he needs
Trey Hendrickson isn't the only sack-producer who may be available in free agency, but he's the best. Others include the Eagles' Jaeden Phillips, Bradley Chubb of Miami, Odafe Oweh of the Chargers, and Kwity Paye of the Colts. None, however, brings Hendrickson's sack production.
Another option could be a blockbuster trade with the Raiders for their standout Maxx Crosby. This will be costly in draft capital and maybe players. But Crosby is only 28, and he's a difference-maker. He's worth any reasonable draft pick haul, including a first-round pick.
Perhaps, adding a solid NFL player or two like Mike Onwenu, a good but overpaid guard, and/or running back Rhamondre Stevenson could sweeten the pot. Crosby is worth all of that and more.
Hearing that Hendrickson may be tagged is not good news for the Patriots if they had him in mind in free agency. Regardless, Mike Vrabel still needs to upgrade his sack production this offseason in any way he can. Sack-producing edges are NFL gold, and the Head Coach has to be ready to spend big for established producers in free agency or in the draft if he's going to get the desired result.