The New England Patriots were flat-out destroyed in the Super Bowl this year. While the final score showed a difference of just two possessions, the offense went an entire half without a drive of more than 28 yards.
Going into the fourth quarter, they didn't have a single point, and while they managed a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, the effort was in vain.
The Patriots won't have the easy schedule they had this past season in 2026, and upgrades will be necessary. While we still have a bit of time before the offseason really starts to ramp up, the goal of this exercise is to get a better sense of what New England may do in the offseason.
This is how the Patriots should approach the 2026 NFL offseason
Pre-Draft Player Movement
The Patriots have the opportunity to make some big swings in free agency this season, but it remains to be seen if they will actually go down that path. Historically, Robert Kraft has alternated between frugal and more aggressive free-agency spending, meaning 2026 would be a more frugal offseason after spending upwards of $350 million in 2025.
However, given New England's breakout success this season, there's an equal opportunity for them to break that mold and continue to add to a squad that's desperately in need of reinforcements. I wouldn't expect extensive spending, but paying stars when given the opportunity would be wise.
Futures Contracts
Re-Signed: TE Marshall Lang, WR Jeremiah Webb, WR John Jiles, OT Lorenz Metz, OG Andrew Rupcich, OG Mehki Butler, DT Leonard Taylor III, DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr., ED Amari Gainer, LB Otis Reese, SAF John Saunders Jr.
Let Walk: RB D'Ernest Johnson, RB Craig Reynolds, TE Thomas Odukoya, WR Trent Sherfield, C Brenden Jaimes, ED Patrick Johnson, LB Darius Harris, CB Miles Battle, SAF Richie Grant
Note: The Patriots began signing futures contracts on Tuesday, 2/10. They re-signed the 11 players listed, so the assumption would be that the remaining 9 will be allowed to walk. Johnson took 13 carries this year, while Battle appeared in 5 games.
Futures deals are contracts given to players who are without a team at the end of the season, but more importantly, to practice squaders. Generally speaking, all practice squad contracts are valid only until the NFL season, but I'd expect a good portion of the players to return.
It's difficult to gauge which players will be back, but generally speaking, those signed toward the end of the season do so as an extended tryout before the offseason. In contrast, older players or those with a lower ceiling are allowed to walk.
Unrestricted Free Agents
Re-Sign: TE Austin Hooper (1 Year | $3.5M), OT Vederian Lowe (1 Year | $4M), OT Thayer Munford (VM), NT Khyiris Tonga (1 Year | $4M), ED K'Lavon Chaisson (3 Years | $27M), SAF Jaylinn Hawkins (2 Years | $15M)
Let Walk: None
The Patriots' UFA class doesn't feature stars, but all six are very solid players in their respective roles. I'd expect the majority to return, even if the contracts they return on aren't particularly financially significant.
Munford operated as an extra tight end in the latter half of the season and actually had some success as a replacement for Morgan Moses at different points when he was dealing with injury. Tonga has had a career season, and despite his injury woes, Mike Vrabel clearly appreciates his work as a run stopper and jumbo fullback.
Chaisson and Hawkins will be more expensive, but I still expect the pair to return. The former has voiced his desire to stay in New England, and he had a very productive playoffs. Perhaps a three-year deal worth $27 million gets the job done?
Hawkins seems more likely to leave, but paying him in the range of $7 million a year seems reasonable. Anything well above that number, however, and I'd look elsewhere.
Austin Hooper and Vederian Lowe are trickier players to analyze. New England will need to improve at the TE2 role if they want to continue to deploy 12 personnel as often as they do, but Hooper is by no means a bad second option at the position.
Lowe could have a healthy market in free agency, given his limited but solid play, but after Will Campbell's subpar playoff performances, insurance seems like something the Patriots should extend themselves for.
Restricted Free Agents
Re-Sign: QB Tommy DeVito (VM), LB Jack Gibbens (2 Years | $4.5M), CB Alex Austin (VM)
Let Walk: OT Yasir Durant, DT Jaquelin Roy
The Patriots have an interesting RFA class. DeVito is about as good a QB3 as it gets, so bringing him back seems more than likely. Gibbens also returns: he had 81 tackles and a sack as a bargain bin backup linebacker.
Austin has taken a step back from the promising start to his career under Belichick, but he started the season as the CB4 before injury, and the ascension of Charles Woods knocked him down a peg. Bringing him back seems reasonable.
The Patriots brought in Durant this summer for his second stint with the team after trading for him before the 2021 season. He had an impressive two years in the USFL, but the 27-year-old's NFL ceiling has proven low. With several younger linemen already on the roster, Durant would seem to be surplus.
Roy is a player I like, and mentioned as a potential contributor in the event of a healthy offseason. Nonetheless, players like Cory Durden and Eric Gregory look to be miles ahead of Roy, whose roster spot could be used on a UDFA later on.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
Re-Sign: FB Jack Westover, DT Isaiah Iton
Let Walk: RB Deneric Prince
I'm not the biggest fan of Westover's, but bringing the team's fullback back for the minimum, even if he isn't to make the team, seems a foregone conclusion. Iton was a player I mentioned as someone who could make a roster push in 2026 after an active preseason in '25.
A Vrabel signing this offseason, the 24-year-old is likely the type of player the team will want to continue working with. Prince reverted to IR two days after being signed in August.
Cap Casualties
The Patriots don't have many players they could cut with massive savings, but they could stand to trim some fat. Antonio Gibson was a solid kick returner and change-of-pace back for the first few weeks, but his $4.1 million cap hit is too high for an RB3. His release saves $3.1 million.
Garrett Bradbury was an okay starting center this season, but the position is in need of an upgrade, whether via Jared Wilson sliding to his natural position or an outside addition. With a $6.9 million cap hit, his release saves $5.7 million.
While Anfernee Jennings is Over the Cap's 8th-ranked cut candidate, he stays safe in this edition. New England clears an additional $8.8 million in cap space with two releases.
Restructures
I wouldn't expect a record-breaking offseason in terms of spending from New England, but if they do want to make any significant signings, they could do with a bit more cap room.
Restructuring Milton Williams' and Christian Barmore's contracts may be the best way to do exactly that, as it would save $13.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively, pushing New England's total cap allowance to around $40 million.
Extensions
Christian Gonzalez was New England's best player in the Super Bowl by a long shot, solidifying his status as a top-three cornerback. This was the same offseason Sauce Gardner got his record-breaking extension, and I'd expect the same for Gonzalez.
A four-year deal extension around $120 million to make him the league's highest-paid cornerback, could very well happen this offseason and keep him under contract until 2032. The move would also save a modest $1.3 million this season.
Pre-Draft Additions
The Patriots end their housekeeping period with roughly $40 million in cap room, giving them plenty of wiggle room to make high-quality free agent additions.
While the team was able to retain the bulk of its contributors, there remain holes on the roster that need to be filled. Upgrading the offensive line, pass catchers, and pass rush will be key.
Outside Free Agents
TE Daniel Bellinger (1 Year | $2.5M), OG Elgton Jenkins* (3 Years | $33M), ED Haason Reddick (1 Year | $5M), LB Troy Andersen (1 Year, $2.5M), SAF Jason Pinnock (2 Years | $8M)
The Patriots have the opportunity to significantly supplement their roster via free agency. While adding stars won't likely be the name of the game on the open market, it doesn't mean they can't add high-quality contributors.
Despite the re-signing of Hooper, Daniel Bellinger is added as a third tight end. While there's a chance one of them is bumped off the roster in favor of a rookie, having multiple tight ends with NFL experience is a plus, especially for a smaller price tag.
Elgton Jenkings is likely to be a cap casualty, but is technically not set to be a free agent. He has experience across all five spots in his career, making him an excellent starting guard and invaluable in the event of an injury.
Defensively, the Patriots already have their major contributors rostered. At this point, the name of the game is adding the side dishes to their main course. Reddick is more name than production at this point. He had 3.5 sacks over the past two seasons, but in the four seasons prior, he didn't dip below 11 sacks.
Andersen is a former second-round pick with unbelievable athleticism. He missed all of '25 with a torn pec, but New England could find a depth player and special teamer for a bargain price.
Connecticut native Jason Pinnock is the last free agent New England adds. Dell Pettus had some solid stints in garbage time as the third safety, but if one of the starters were to go down, they'd surely like to have a more established player as a depth option.
Giants' Dane Belton could be a better fit, but Pinnock would be a cheaper option for a team that is already shelling out over $120 million to Christian Gonzalez.
New England Patriots 2026 Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 31: ED Zion Young, Missouri
With no clear-cut first-round tackle prospects on the board, New England instead opts to upgrade their edge defense via Zion Young. 7 of his 8 sacks this season came against SEC competition, while his 6-foot-5, 262-pound frame would keep him on the field during running downs.
Round 2, Pick 50: WR Chris Bell, Louisville
Trade: NE sends Pick 63 (2) and Pick 95 (3) to DET for Pick 50 (2) and 2027 Round 4
After neglecting the receiver position in free agency, New England added Bell following a trade-up in Round 2. While he is a first-round talent, the Louisville star's ACL tear makes him a candidate to fall in the draft.
I wouldn't expect him to make it to New England's original second-round pick at 63, but using capital to snag a potential star would be good business, even if he is likely to miss a large chunk of preseason.
Round 4, Pick 125: OT Diego Pounds, Ole Miss
While retaining depth and adding Elgton Jenkins benefits the offensive line, missing out on a top-32 talent hurts. The Patriots instead opt to add Ponds, who didn't allow a sack while protecting Trinidad Chambliss' blind side for Ole Miss this past season.
Round 4, Pick 131: CB Tacario Davis, Washington
Davis is a physical cornerback who's very good in run defense. At 6-foot-4, I'd expect him to be a developmental outside player, but he'll see immediate special team snaps given his solid tackling ability.
Round 5, Pick 140: WR Ja'Kobi Lane, USC
Trade: NE sends Pick 169 (5), Pick 190 (6), and Pick 208 (6) to TEN for Pick 140 (5)
Lane's lack of downfield speed may get him in trouble at the combine, as he's projected to run as slow as a mid-4.6. Considering Makai Lemon is the focal point of the Trojans offense, it's also a concern that his production may have been a result of the attention drawn by Lemon.
Nonetheless, New England needs help at receiver, and Lane could potentially be a player to provide such help. Moving a trio of picks to secure his services is understandable.
Round 6, Pick 201: DT Deven Eastern, Minnesota
Eastern had a 7.6% run stop rate and 5.2% pass rush win rate this season in the Big 10. Standing at 6-foot-6, 335 pounds, an NFL frame is not an issue, giving Zak Kuhr and company another piece to work with on the defensive line.
Round 6, Pick 211: ED Eric O'Neill, Rutgers
O'Neill was awesome with James Madison in '24, but his production took a step back in 2025. He still managed four sacks in the Big 10 and is a solid run defender.
Round 7, Pick 247: RB Cash Jones, Georgia
Realistically, Jones will go undrafted. Nonetheless, the stats don't nearly tell the story of his Georgia career, and his aggressive do-it-all mentality will serve him well in the league. His skill set as a tried-and-true third-down back plays more so in the NFL than in college, and he could make a dynamic special teamer in the NFL.
Preseason Roster
QB (3): Drake Maye, Josh Dobbs, Tommy DeVito
RB (5): TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison, Cash Jones
FB (2): Jack Westover, Brock Lampe
TE (5): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Daniel Bellinger, C.J. Dippre, Marshall Lang
WR (10): Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Chris Bell, Mack Hollins, Pop Douglas, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III, Ja'Kobi Lane, Jeremiah Webb, John Jiles
OT (7): Will Campbell (LT), Morgan Moses (RT), Vederian Lowe, Thayer Munford, Diego Pounds, Marcus Bryant, Lorenz Metz
OG (5): Elgton Jenkins (LG), Mike Onwenu (RG), Caedan Wallace, Andrew Rupcich, Mekhi Butler
C (2): Jared Wilson, Ben Brown
DT (10): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Leonard Taylor III, Eric Gregory, Deven Eastern, Jeremiah Pharms, Isaiah Iton
ED (9): Harold Landry, K'Lavon Chaisson, Zion Young, Anfernee Jennings, Haason Reddick, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Eric O'Neill, Amari Gainer
LB (7): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Troy Andersen, Jahlani Tavai, Marte Mapu, Otis Reese IV
CB (7): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Alex Austin, Tacario Davis, Marcellas Dial
SAF (6): Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Jason Pinnock, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, John Saunders
ST (3): Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby
In the end, the Patriots carry 81/90 players into the preseason, allowing them to sign up to seven undrafted free agents. Given the number of young contributors on this edition of the 2026 roster, I wouldn't think bringing in more than seven would be all that beneficial.
The restructuring of Williams' and Barmore's contracts would also give the team the cap flexibility to make a post-draft move, with trading for big contracts becoming significantly easier after June 1 (e.g., A.J. Brown).
There would be plenty to look forward to with an offseason like this, even if New England is unable to get their hands on a top playmaker like Brown or George Pickens. Solidifying the defense with Zion Young, Haason Reddick, and Jason Pinnock makes one of the league's best units even scarier. At the same time, Christian Gonzalez's contract until 2032 should have fans jumping for joy.
Offensively, the Patriots solidify the offensive line through Elgton Jenkins while adding a pair of talented receivers in the draft who could fall down draft boards. Given their financial situation, they could still strike if Brown is available in a trade after the June 1 mark.
All in all, this offseason is very plausible for New England. It would offer a blend between more modest spending following an expensive 2025 for the Krafts and a Gonzalez extension, but still give New England the opportunity to take a big swing if a star becomes available later in the summer.