The New England Patriots’ special teams look very different this season than they did in 2025. Several core contributors departed in the offseason, including four of the top ten players by snaps (excluding the kicker and punter).
Specifically, we saw Jack Gibbens, Marte Mapu, and Jahlani Tavai depart, all top-five in snaps for Jeremy Springer's unit.
In total, the Patriots needed to make up for the loss of nearly 2,800 special teams snaps from 2025. To make up for the losses, the team has seen several players step up. The linebacker room has shouldered the load so far, with rookies Namdi Obiazor and Erick Hunter as key members of the unit. Waiver claim Darius Muasau has also ranked among the top three in snaps so far.
A second-team waiver claim, tight end Cam Latu, a third-round selection in 2023, has logged 162 snaps so far. That figure ranks second on the team. Jaylen Reed also eclipses the century mark with 129 snaps, while Mike Brown averages a team-high 21.2 snaps per game despite playing just six of the team’s eight games.
Six #Patriots have eclipsed 100 special teams snaps for the year thus far
— Graham Wilker (@GrahamWilker1) November 2, 2026
- LB Namdi Obiazor (167, 20.9 per game)
- TE Cam Latu (162, 20.3 pg)
- LB Darius Muasau (139, 17.4 pg)
- SAF Jaylen Reed (129, 16.1 pg)
- SAF Mike Brown (127, 21.2 pg)
- LB Erick Hunter (110, 15.7 pg)
More turnover happened recently, with Bryce Baringer, the team’s punter since 2023, released in favor of veteran Mitch Wishnowski. The 34-year-old has had a strong season, placing nearly half his punts inside the 20-yard line and averaging 47.0 yards per kick, with a long of 73.
While the unit has been generally sound this season, Sunday afternoon showed the team is still growing on special teams.
The Patriots' young special teams is still working out the kinks
As mentioned, the Patriots' special teams feature a number of new faces. Not only are those faces new, but they are also young. Six players have eclipsed 100 snaps on Springer's unit through eight games. Among them, the average age is just 24.7, with four players 25 or younger.
By comparison, the top six snap getters last season averaged 27.7 at the start of the season, with three players at 25 or younger. Furthermore, 2025 featured only one rookie in the top six snap getters: Elijah Ponder had 286 snaps, ranking him sixth on the squad. In comparison, both Obiazor and Hunter crack the top six, with Obiazor leading all special teamers in total snaps.
The Patriots' special teams are undergoing a bit of a reload, and generally speaking, it's gone well. They haven't allowed a touchdown this season, and between rookies like Obiazor and practice-squad elevations like Brown, the team has found some surprise contributors. A recent addition to that list is running back Lan Larison, who played 13 snaps against the Dolphins while making a pair of tackles.
Despite the unit's overall stability so far, there's still room for improvement. The team sometimes struggles in kick coverage, allowing returns to the 47- and 36-yard lines from Jaylen Wright on Sunday.
A few weeks prior, they allowed an 18-yard punt return to the Raiders' Deven Thompkins after conceding a 16-yard return to the Bills' Greg Dortch.
Marcus Jones has averaged 10.9 yards per punt return this season, and his longest return so far was 26 yards against the Dolphins on Sunday. Last season, Jones averaged 17.3 yards per return, with his longest being a 94-yard touchdown against the Giants, one of the two he had this season.
New England's special teams reload has come with a small step down, but the unit's involvement from young players has added longevity. Andy Borregales' struggles will hopefully be short-lived, but the Springer's guys have gotten the nod thus far in 2026.
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