New England Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf addressed the media at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He was quickly asked about one of the club's top free agents, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, who will be a hot topic over the next fortnight.
It's evident Wolf is well aware of the caliber of talent the Patriots are at risk of losing. He acknowledged that Hawkins figures to have several suitors on the open market. However, by the sound of it, New England is more than open to a reunion.
"Obviously, Hawkins is a free agent," Wolf said. "And he's earned the opportunity to see what's out there, but he's certainly someone that we would welcome back."
Eliot Wolf makes it crystal clear Patriots want Jaylinn Hawkins back in New England
Why wouldn't the Patriots want to retain Hawkins? He was critical to their stingy defense that ranked fourth in scoring defense (18.8 points per game) and eighth in total yards (295.2). Whether it be playing deep, lining up in the slot, or the box, his versatility gave New England a valuable Swiss Army knife.
Hawkins' rise from special teamer/rotational piece to every-down mainstay in 2025 was amazing. He recorded 71 tackles (three for loss), six pass deflections, five quarterback hits, four interceptions, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble (one recovery) across 15 games. His efforts earned him a strong overall 82.4 Pro Football Focus grade, good for fifth among 98 qualified safeties.
As Wolf expressed, Hawkins has set himself up to explore options and fetch a payday. Yet, both sides seem interested in building off the momentum they captured this season. The latter made his desire to stay in Foxborough clear after the Patriots' Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
There's apparent mutual motivation to get a deal done, and New England currently projects to have the 10th-most cap space in the league. So, it's easy to see Hawkins and the Patriots working out an agreement in the coming weeks, especially following Wolf's comments.
For what it's worth, Spotrac predicts Hawkins, 28, to make roughly $8.3 million annually on his next contract. That wouldn't even crack the top 20 at his position. If he can maintain the level we saw from him this year, that price tag will look like a bargain.