The New England Patriots used the 2026 offseason to plug roster holes and provide support to All-Pro quarterback Drake Maye to contend for a Super Bowl title again - and this time to win it. Viewpoints on how well they succeeded are mixed.
They strengthened somewhat, but there are still positions that need reinforcement, and those will now have to come via trades or late free-agent signings.
One blockbuster trade they made provided a clear upgrade for 2025. That's the trade for Eagles' bona fide No. 1 receiver A.J. Brown. Brown is a consummate professional, an annual 1,000-yard receiving machine, and has already exerted his influence on the receiver unit as a leader and mentor. Yet not everyone's convinced he'll be the fulcrum for another Super Bowl run.
NFL.com's Eric Edholm has tried his best to tamp down the likelihood of a Patriots' return to the Super Bowl in 2026 after the arrival of Brown. Of course, as always, the Patriots' stronger 2026 schedule enters into the discussion as it does in almost any forecast of the team's trajectory this season.
A.J. Brown will be a major factor in another Super Bowl run
The Patriots had a solid No. 1A, 2025 wide receiver in Stefon Diggs. He notched 1013 yards on 85 catches leading the team in both categories. Brown also had over 1,000 yards, but he didn't have a passer of the quality and accuracy of Drake Maye in Jalen Hurts. Brown is poised to take the top off the NFL if Maye can see some clean pockets from an offensive line that is still suspect.
Edholm lacks confidence that the 2026 Patriots can overcome their tougher schedule and make another Super Bowl.
"I want it to be clear that I think New England has lacked a receiver like this for a while now, and a motivated Brown could turn in one of his better seasons with Drake Maye throwing his way. Romeo Doubs also was a nice addition, even if his numbers might appear relatively tame.
The Patriots clearly took advantage of a weak regular-season schedule last year and also exploited a wide-open AFC field, the rest of which imploded down the stretch. I don't believe either of those things will happen again in the coming season."
Edholm may be right. If he is, it will be due to the team not bolstering two specific units, the offensive line and the edge, enough. They added a needed guard in Alijah Vera-Tucker, but he's injury-prone. If he can stay on the field,d he'll be a plus.
They also used their first-round pick on an offensive tackle for the second straight year, drafting Utah's big tackle, Caleb Lomu.
That pick was the team's best offseason move, as Lomu will be first up to slot in for any of the team's non-center O-line starters who get hurt. Their second-round pick earned a mixed reaction, as they traded up to select Illinois' pass-rusher Gabe Jacas.
Jacas has been a no-show due to injury and/or contract issues and hasn't participated in any OTAs; as a result, the edge remains a huge weak spot.
The Patriots possess the best passer in the NFL in Maye, and with the now-fortified receiving corps led by Brown and free agent Romeo Doubs, they can do great things in 2026. Yet it all depends squarely on the offensive line allowing fewer sacks and hits, and the pass rush bringing the heat to opposing quarterbacks.
Both units have serious shortcomings, as does the tight end unit, which has no depth. The Patriots will have to get lucky with injuries on the O-line and enhance the edge and tight end positions through trades or late signings to overcome these deficiencies.
Otherwise, Edholm's prediction for 2026 may prove to be right on target.
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