The New England Patriots made a number of significant moves this offseason. Beyond the marquee addition of A.J. Brown, the team added Alijah Vera-Tucker to the offensive line and Romeo Doubs to complement its new star.
Defensively, Dre'Mont Jones replaced K'Lavon Chaisson, and Kevin Byard joined the defensive backfield. In the draft, the team traded up in both the first and second rounds, adding Caleb Lomu and Gabe Jacas to its ranks.
Despite their numerous additions, the team is off to a 1-2 start, with the offense averaging the joint fewest in the league, an incredibly disappointing figure despite Brown and Mike Onwenu's injuries.
With additions come departures, and the Patriots had several contributors sign with other squads. Over three games, eight departing players have separated themselves as legitimate pieces in their new team's success or lack thereof.
Of the eight, the team traded two and released a third, fueling those players' fire ahead of the 2026 season.
While it's still early in the season, the Patriots have no doubt been keeping tabs on their recent departures, and through September, the front office should feel varying levels of regret about their roster moves.
These 8 free agency departures are ones the Patriots are no doubt keeping their eyes on this season
TE Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons
Season Stats: 3 Games (60 Snaps), 4 Catches (6 Targets), 0 Drops, 31 Yards, TD, 57.5 PFF Run Blocking Grade
The Patriots likely regret some of the players they've let go, but Hooper isn't one of them. The veteran was a solid second tight end for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, recording 476 yards in the former, his highest total since 2019.
Hooper was let go this offseason, and the Patriots signed Julian Hill and selected Eli Raridon in the third round to replace him. While Hill's season ended early with a May knee injury that Mike Vrabel described as "devastating," Raridon has been a more-than-capable rookie TE2, catching Drake Maye's only touchdown pass so far this season.
Hooper returned to Atlanta and has since continued to put in solid work as the TE2. He scored his first touchdown of the season in Michael Penix Jr.'s Week 3 return, something he didn't do until Week 7 last year.
Hooper remains a competent veteran, but he wouldn't move the needle, even with the team's struggling offense. The Patriots' front office won't be losing any sleep over his departure.
Regret Level: 1/10
WR Kayshon Boutte, Houston Texans
Season Stats: 3 Games (131 Snaps), 6 Catches (9 Targets), 1 Drop, 79 Yards, 0 TD
Boutte has averaged one deep route (20+ yards) per game so far, compared to 1.2 per game with New England last season (21 in 18 games), meaning Houston has used him as a deep threat as New England did. He's also on pace for around 450 yards for the season, his worst total since his rookie year.
Although the small sample size skews Boutte's data, his lack of a dominant display should quell any fears of early embarrassment from the front office. Furthermore, Boutte's lack of production has come despite Nico Collins, Tank Dell (IR), and Jayden Higgins (IR) missing time. Dalton Schultz and Xavier Hutchinson have instead benefited most from Houston's injuries.
Even if Boutte's playstyle isn't exactly what New England needs right now, it's hard to believe the team wouldn't want him on the roster with A.J. Brown out. Mack Hollins has stepped up, while Romeo Doubs' box scores have been more impressive than his actual play. Pop Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism have been non-factors.
Maye's first-ever touchdown came on a deep ball to Boutte, and the pair continued their connection into last year's playoffs, with the LSU alum as the top target and Stefon Diggs as the defense's focus.
The regret level would be lower if Brown were healthy, but the Patriots could certainly use the former five-star recruit right about now.
Regret Level: 6/10
C Garrett Bradbury, Chicago Bears
Season Stats: 3 Games (221 Snaps), 0 Sacks Allowed, 3.3% Pressure Rate Allowed, 62.3 PFF Run Blocking Grade, 4 Penalties
In 2024, the Patriots scrambled to find a center after David Andrews went down with a season-ending injury in October. The team signed Ben Brown from the Raiders' practice squad, and he started his first career game three days later against the Texans, which also happened to be Maye's first game as the starter.
Later on, Cole Strange returned from injury, finishing the year at center.
In 2025, Andrews and Strange departed, leaving a void at center. The Patriots signed Bradbury to a two-year deal last offseason. While a capable short-term option, the general belief was that the team could still upgrade, especially after the offensive line's playoff performance.
After Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman, the Bears sent the Patriots a fifth-round pick for the former first-round pick. While Bradbury has been average at best, he's been good enough to hold off second-round selection Logan Jones for the first few weeks.
Jared Wilson has provided more at center than at guard last year, as he's yet to allow a sack and has allowed just a 4.7% pressure rate. The Georgia product made PFF's team of the week despite New England's 29-point blowout loss to the Jaguars, making him one of the team's few bright spots.
Injuries to Mike Onwenu and Greg Van Roten have made veteran offensive linemen a premium for the Patriots now, but they are netting a fifth-round pick. At the same time, Wilson's improvement will help the front office sleep at night.
Regret Level: 2/10
NT Khyiris Tonga, Kansas City Chiefs
Season Stats: 3 Games (88 Defensive Snaps, 8 Offensive Snaps), 5 Tackles (0% Missed Tackle Rate), 0 Stops, 0 Sacks, 2.6% Pressure Rate, 1 Carry, 3 Yards
The Patriots' defensive line featured several unexpected contributors last season. Milton Williams was expected to perform, and Christian Barmore was also expected to star despite missing most of the 2024 season due to health issues. However, the depth provided by players like Cory Durden and Tonga was invaluable.
The BYU product was the Patriots' only true nose tackle last season, weighing in at over 330 pounds. Durden and Eric Gregory filled in at times, but that hasn't been the case this season. While Gregory was demoted to the practice squad, Durden hasn't offered the same space-eating ability Tonga did. That was to be expected, given the 30-pound size difference.
New England didn't allow a running back to eclipse 50 yards until Week 10 last season, but Jadarian Price and Bhayshul Tuten have each hit that mark over the last three weeks. One of the league's best run defenses seems like a sure thing going into the year, but the unit has dropped to 17th in rushing yards allowed per game.
Furthermore, Tonga played a role as a jumbo fullback last season. The Chiefs gave him his first career carry in Week 2: a three-yard run on 4th & 1. He also helped spring Kenneth Walker for a 60-yard touchdown in Week 1.
Tonga has made his impact felt, despite playing just 8 offensive snaps. Reggie Gilliam would have negated the need for Tonga to play extensively on offense, but his blocking would have been a nice sweetener given his stellar run defense.
Regret Level: 7.5/10
ED K'Lavon Chaisson, Washington Commanders
Season Stats: 3 Games (123 Snaps), 8 Tackles (37.5% Missed Tackle Rate), 2 Stops, 1 Sacks, 12.1% Pressure Rate, 1 Penalty
The Patriots made the somewhat controversial move of moving on from Chaisson after he had a career year, recording 10 sacks across the regular season and playoffs. They opted for the physically larger Dre'Mont Jones, whose missed-tackle rate was significantly lower in 2025, despite not reaching the same heights in pass-rush production.
Through three games, it's been more of the same with Chaisson: a solid pressure rate with a sack to his name, but he struggles against the run with three missed tackles. A 40.2 PFF grade is certainly a stain on his season thus far, but having a rotational pass rusher like the former LSU Tiger would do the team a world of good given the current state of their pass rush.
Gabe Jacas has 1.5 sacks through three games, while Elijah Ponder has also shown flashes. Nonetheless, the team is relying on practice-squad elevation Jose Ramirez due to injuries to Harold Landry, Jones, and rookie Quintayvious Hutchins.
Although Chaisson hasn't had much success through September, the team could use a player with his skill set.
Regret Level: 6/10
ED Anfernee Jennings, New Orleans Saints
Season Stats: 3 Games (53 Snaps), 8 Tackles (0% Missed Tackle Rate), 2 Stops, 0 Sacks, 4.3% Pressure Rate, 0 Penalties
The Patriots released Jennings before he entered the third and final year of his extension, before he joined Jerod Mayo's staff in 2024. While he never excelled as a pass rusher, Jennings was arguably the team's best edge run defender last season. With Harold Landry out during the playoffs, he showed some juice in the pass rush, recording a sack in each of their first postseason matchups.
Thus far, he hasn't made a tremendous impact in New Orleans. Playing 53 snaps in 3 games, he's been a rotational edge defender, similar to his role in New England.
His 4.3% pressure rate and zero sacks show he continues to struggle to make a significant impact as a pass rusher. Nonetheless, the team may regret not having him on the roster this season.
The Patriots have lacked edge pressure, especially with Dre'Mont Jones missing Week 3. Harold Landry is still on PUP, leaving Elijah Ponder and Gabe Jacas the only legitimate options. Rookie Quintayvious Hutchins was placed on IR Friday, and the team filled the void by promoting 27-year-old Jose Ramirez from the practice squad.
Jennings may not be among the upper echelon edge defenders, but he'd certainly be a worthy rotational piece now, given New England's injuries.
Regret Level: 5/10
LB Jack Gibbens, Arizona Cardinals
Season Stats: 3 Games (173 Snaps), 28 Tackles (7.7% Missed Tackle Rate), 6 Stops, 0.5 Sacks, 66.7% Completion Rate Allowed (6/9, TD), 93 Yards Allowed, 1 Penalty
The Patriots opted not to match the Cardinals' $7.5 million for two years of Jack Gibbens, who could've returned to New England as an RFA. After spending time with Vrabel in Tennessee, he racked up 81 tackles and a sack during his only year in New England.
The team cleared out the linebacker room by releasing Jahlani Tavai, trading Marte Mapu, and letting Gibbens walk. Instead, they believed a combination of Chad Muma, K.J. Britt, and late-round rookies could do the job. In the end, neither Muma nor Britt made the roster, while Khalil Jacobs, a UDFA from Missouri who appeared to be the team's LB3 heading into the season, was placed on IR.
Fifth-round pick Namdi Obiazor has played only three defensive snaps in three games. Meanwhile, the team relied on waiver claim Darius Muasau to play a small defensive role against Jacksonville. In eight snaps, he missed a tackle and finished the game with a 48.4 PFF grade.
The team can make do with Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss playing more, but that leads to wear and tear. When Spillane missed time last season, the defense struggled against the run, even with an 80-tackle player in Gibbens. Without that insurance policy, the team is less secure at the second level.
Given Gibbens's strong start to the season (on pace for almost 160 tackles), the Patriots should miss him dearly.
Regret Level: 8.5/10
SAF Jaylinn Hawkins, Baltimore Ravens
Season Stats: 3 Games (177 Snaps), 15 Tackles (13.3% Missed Tackle Rate), 3 Stops, 80% Completion Rate Allowed (8/10, TD), 130 Yards Allowed, 1 Penalty
The Patriots' defensive backfield is struggling for numbers. Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones have stayed healthy, but Carlton Davis missed all of Week 2 and some of Week 3. Craig Woodson missed Week 3, and Kevin Byard hasn't played at the All-Pro level he was at last year.
Dell Pettus was also placed on IR. While his defensive impact would be minimal anyway, Brenden Schooler has remained out of action since being placed on the NFI list in July.
Hawkins had a career year in 2025, nabbing four interceptions and racking up 71 tackles during the regular season. He was allowed to leave in free agency, signing a two-year deal worth $10 million with the Ravens.
While Byard is an upgrade, retaining Hawkins as a third option would have given the team far better depth in 2026, an issue that persists from 2025. Jaylen Reed has been asked to play a significant role in the absence of Woodson and Pettus, playing 80 defensive snaps over the last two games after not seeing the field in Week 1. The team acquired him less than three weeks before the season began.
Having Hawkins on the squad would offer the team fantastic depth, but in fairness to the front office, injuries to Woodson and Pettus in the first three weeks were not foreseeable, especially considering neither had missed a game in their careers.
If Byard fails to improve in his first few weeks, this regret could grow, but for now, the annoyance around Hawkins' departure seems to be a time-based frustration.seems
Regret Level: 6.5/10
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