The Patriots have continued their hot streak of back-to-back impressive free-agent spending this offseason, despite this year not being as flashy as 2025. They managed to sign wide receiver Romeo Doubs and superstar safety Kevin Byard, but still need the dominant pass rusher for their defense.
That has become even more crucial since last season's sack leader departed for the Commanders, and there are still questions surrounding their returning players. That has many fans, and even league analysts like Matt Okada of NFL.com, suggesting their next move to sign a veteran pass rusher, with a few looking like their best options.
Although they're likely to use their first-round pick on a young star defender, it would be wise to add a veteran into the lineup, too, especially since they just made the Super Bowl in 2025 with the roster they had, so they could potentially accomplish that again without big-name players.
Instead, they could sign trusted vets who remain unsigned in free agency for two weeks, and it could be a sneaky-good move that puts their defense over the edge.
Signing a veteran pass rusher should be the Patriots' next free agency move
Considered one of the five biggest remaining roster holes, Okada believes the Patriots' pass rush should be their next obvious signing, and it's difficult to argue against that.
What might offer some debate, however, are his suggested players: Joey Bosa, Cameron Jordan, Haason Reddick, or Kyle Van Noy.
"Given their draft position (No. 31 overall) and with few top-tier WR talents available in free agency, we're going to keep the focus on their need for a sack specialist. After watching K'Lavon Chaisson depart and signing Dre'Mont Jones, the Pats have improved very little in the pass-rush department.
...The more mild and realistic option is to draft an edge rusher in the first round and sign one of the well-seasoned rotational veterans still on the market -- Joey Bosa, Haason Reddick, Cameron Jordan, or former Patriot Kyle Van Noy."
None of these names might be all that exciting to Patriots fans, mostly due to their age, but there's a fair argument to be made why any one of them would make sense.
All would provide insurance on the defensive line and ensure there was a proven pass rusher, a need they had last season. They'd also be a strong veteran voice in the locker room and a leader on the field, another aspect that was mostly missing in 2025.
He could become an integral part in helping establish their defensive identity, while also helping the inevitable rookie they select in this year's draft develop into the kind of player Mike Vrabel wants for the roster.
There is plenty to like about any of those Okada lists, and if the Patriots decide any of them could be the right guy for the job, the defense will surely be improved as fans were hoping to see this offseason.