Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the Patriots' biggest focus in winning the AFC East again is ensuring the Bills don't become too difficult to handle, much like they were in the five years after Tom Brady left and Drake Maye was drafted. It's what helped them sustain success last season and steal the division from Buffalo, but it might not be that simple this fall.
Why is that? Because not only do they have to worry about a revitalized Bills team with a new head coach and some solid players, but now the Jets, and arguably the Dolphins, are putting together impressive draft classes that could dramatically change their fate from the bottom of the league.
While it might be premature to suggest either could be seriously competitive this upcoming season, they're certainly putting in the work to make sure their rosters are up to snuff and can be a problem for the reigning AFC Champions.
It's the last thing the Patriots want to deal with after an unexpectedly impressive 2025 season that saw them win 14 games, steal the division and the AFC Championship, and face off against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, even if it ended poorly.
The New York Jets assemble an impressive 2026 Draft class that puts the Patriots on notice
Given that the Jets are the only team besides the Patriots with the same head coach and staff from last year, it's probably more realistic to focus on what they can accomplish this upcoming season.
They might not have the best quarterback under center, but Geno Smith is an upgrade over Justin Fields in a lot of ways, and that veteran experience and stability could do wonders for their offense, something they haven't had the luxury of for quite some time.
Couple that with their most notable selections over the draft weekend, including top EDGE rusher David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., and their roster has been elevated to new heights that should make winning a bit easier, even if that is hard to imagine when discussing the Jets.
At the very least, they're not a team that can be easily overlooked anymore, and that's an unfortunate development for New England, which would benefit from only having the Bills to worry about in the division.
That doesn't appear to be realistic anymore, and that's far from what any fan wanted to see. Hopefully, their latest additions won't make as big a splash as they look like they will on paper, but we'll have to wait to see how the rest of the offseason pans out first.
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