The Patriots' upcoming season feels like it will be filled with big decisions that have been long discussed over the last few months, with extension talks involving Christian Gonzalez and a potential trade for AJ Brown leading the conversation.
But there might be an even more important debate to have about some of their top players who are set to play on the final year of their current contract, all of whom have played and will still play a pivotal role in their success.
It will force Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf to make some tough decisions, which may lead to a shocking trade or two, yet none of it is being talked about in the way you'd think it would be. Maybe it's because of the other big stories going around, or because these players' impact on the team is being widely overlooked.
No matter what, the Patriots are in for a rough year and an even tougher 2027 offseason if they want to keep some of their most prominent players on the roster for years to come.
5 top players are set to play on the final year of their contracts with the Patriots in 2026
RG Mike Onwenu
One of the most consistent players on the Patriots' offense over the last six years has been right guard Mike Onwenu, who has arguably become the best part of the offensive line since he was drafted in 2020.
He has ensured that the coaching staff doesn't have to worry about the right side of the line, which became even more crucial last season with Will Campbell's struggles at left tackle. Onwenu is expected to remain the group's most reliable player this fall, but that could change in 2027.
He received a massive extension from Jerod Mayo and Co. during the 2024 offseason, and now he's set to play on the final year of his contract.
That puts a big decision on the shoulders of Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf this season, and, considering how important the offensive line is and has been treated, it would probably be smarter to keep Onwenu around for much longer, especially when thinking about the future of Drake Maye.
TE Hunter Henry
Perhaps the most concerning final contract on this entire list is Hunter Henry, who has been the Patriots' TE1 since he signed with the team in free agency in 2021. He was the kind of player the offense had been missing since Rob Gronkowski first retired, and Henry has gone on to become one of the best tight ends in franchise history.
He is expected to remain the top threat of all the tight ends this upcoming season, while mentoring his new teammates, like rookie Eli Raridon and free agency signee Julian Hill.
The hope is that the Patriots will set the groundwork for Raridon to take over in Henry's position if they don't intend to bring him back. And if that's not the plan, they need to find a suitable replacement, because losing Henry will take a major toll on the offense.
WR Kayshon Boutte
Given how much he has been discussed this offseason as a likely trade candidate, it might not even matter that Kayshon Boutte is about to play on the final year of his rookie contract, because he might not do it with the Patriots.
Despite having a breakout season in 2025, proving he was much better than a sixth-round draft pick, Boutte is considered the team's best trade option on the offense, and that will only become more apparent if a trade for AJ Brown goes through.
He's already not present for OTAs, which isn't a good sign of what's to come, and if Vrabel and Wolf don't have long-term plans for him, then Boutte is probably going to be playing elsewhere in 2026, even if he could be a great option for Drake Maye on game day.
P Bryce Baringer
When the Patriots drafted Bryce Baringer, it looked like the end of a long search for their next longtime punter who had evaded them since the demise of Jake Bailey. Before that, it had been since Ryan Allen that they had a consistent player to rely on, and unfortunately, it looks like Baringer is falling into the same trap.
For most of the last three seasons, he has been exactly what the special teams needed, which changed a bit throughout the 2025 season.
Baringer became a liability on the field down the stretch, and it put the Patriots in a bad position far too often for anyone to feel good about. He'll have to make up for his most recent shortcomings and hope that's enough to get a new contract, or we might see another new punter on the team next year.
WR DeMario Douglas
Much like the rumors that have dominated the offseason around Boutte, DeMario Douglas has also been the subject of trade proposals over the past few months. Some of that is a result of the presumed upcoming trade for AJ Brown, while others think he is one of the Patriots' best trade chips on the current roster.
That has become more of a talking point since Josh McDaniels' return didn't propel him to a new level as many expected, and if that continues into the 2026 season, it's fair to assume Douglas will be on the move.
He was once considered one of their best offensive options, despite the limitations from his size, but that hasn't translated well since Drake Maye arrived. And if Brown joins the roster, there's reason to believe Douglas will only fall further down the depth chart.
If Vrabel and Wolf don't plan to keep him around long-term, their best bet would be to trade him this offseason, if not by this year's deadline. That would be better than watching him walk in free agency for nothing.
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