The first big post-Super Bowl move by Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots all boils down to one thing: defensive pressure.
Zak Kuhr's work as a play-caller, spinning the dial and constantly making life miserable for quarterbacks Justin Herbert, C.J. Stroud, and Jared Stidham, was a driving force in the Patriots' surprise run through the AFC playoffs. It was enough to make Kuhr's promotion to defensive coordinator, which was made official last week, feel like a necessity.
New England’s defensive prowess was even more impressive when you consider top edge rusher Harold Landry III, a player Vrabel coveted to the tune of a $43 million free agent contract last year, was available for just 51 total snaps over four playoff games, including Super Bowl LX.
The Patriots’ ability to create organic interior pressure with Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Cory Durden helped close that void, along with a breakout season for K’Lavon Chaisson on the edge. Anfernee Jennings also deserves a ton of credit for stepping up as a defensive reserve and special teamer late in the year, before starting — and playing well — in the playoff games against the Texans, Broncos, and Seahawks.
The Patriots’ need for edge depth, though, is impossible to ignore entering the NFL's new league year.
Chaisson is a pending free agent that the Patriots definitely don’t want to lose. Jennings is entering a contract year with no guaranteed money left on his current deal, and Landry, while a force early in the 2025 regular season, faded down the stretch due to injuries and is now entering his age-30 season.
The pre-draft focus on the Patriots’ top roster needs will naturally center on the offensive line and wide receiver positions; that’s been an ongoing theme in Foxboro since before Vrabel’s arrival.
But edge rusher could be made a bigger priority than fans care to believe in the coming months, and NFL analyst Ben Solak might’ve solidified that point in his latest for ESPN.
Mike Vrabel has no excuses at edge rusher in 2026
According to Solak, this is a good year to need help on the edge. That bodes well for the Patriots, as aside from fun hypothetical trade ideas for Maxx Crosby, they’ll likely be in on the surplus of available talent both in free agency and the draft.
“If your favorite team's general manager can't find a good fit at edge rusher this offseason, tell him to take a hike,” Solak wrote. “Putting aside the Crosby trade rumors for now, here's a list of expected free agent edge rushers:
- Trey Hendrickson (Bengals)
- Odafe Oweh (Chargers)
- Jaelan Phillips (Eagles)
- Khalil Mack (Chargers)
- K'Lavon Chaisson (Patriots)
- Boye Mafe (Seahawks)
- Joey Bosa (Bills)
- Jadeveon Clowney (Cowboys)
The main thing that impresses me is the variety. Oweh, Chaisson and Mafe are speed artists who can create pressure fast. Guys such as Mack, Clowney and Kingsley Enagbare (Packers) are all hitters in the running game. Want to gamble on injured, aging veterans? Hendrickson, Bosa, Cameron Jordan (Saints) and Von Miller (Commanders) could all have something left. What about undeveloped traits? Kwity Paye (Colts) and Arnold Ebiketie (Falcons) are your guys. There's something for everyone in this group.”
The name that stands out on this list is, of course, Chaisson. He played some of his best football during the playoffs and massively outplayed the one-year, $3 million prove-it deal he signed with New England in 2025.
He’s a 26-year-old, former first-round draft pick who fits the Patriots’ scheme perfectly, as Vrabel wants edge guys who can rush, stop the run, and drop in coverage.
Chaisson’s an extension candidate for the Patriots, and that deal feels likely to get done during the first week of March, prior to the league’s legal tampering window. In a perfect world, the Patriots are able to bring back Chaisson, double-dip at the position in the 2026 draft, and try to squeeze one more year out of Landry, who’s under contract through 2027.
Vrabel got every last ounce out of his defensive line depth during the Patriots’ 2025 run, and this is the offseason to start building a front seven capable of dominating from Week 1.