NFL summer camps begin later this month, and the New England Patriots will embark on a journey that Patriot Nation hopes will culminate in winning the Super Bowl. The 2026 offseason had to remedy the weaknesses exposed by the Seahawks, who clobbered the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Have they done enough to bridge the gap between the two teams? Adding A.J. Brown was a huge asset. Regardless. ESPN's Seth Walder still correctly gave the team a "B-" grade for the offseason.
The Patriots had two overarching needs to address in the 2026 offseason. One was getting an offensive line that could significantly reduce the inordinate number of sacks it gave up on Drake Maye in 2025. The jury is out on whether they did enough there; probably not.
The other major imperative was to increase the number of sacks their defense produces. Any doubt about that need was erased by their being out sacked 6-1 by the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
The Patriots' edge situation needs an immediate fix
The Patriots sorely needed to upgrade the edge position and provide additional depth. They've failed to do so thus far. The team now finds it's edge situation precarious. They mistakenly allowed solid pass-rusher K'Lavon Chaisson to leave in free agency and replaced him one-for-one with Dre'Mont Jones. No gain there.
They are also relying on the 2025 acquisition, Harold Landry III, to start opposite Jones. Landry is physically unreliable due to a balky knee. If he can't go, the team is in serious trouble on the edge. To add depth, the team traded up to draft Illinois' pass rusher, Gabe Jacas.
He's unfortunately been a no-show on the field and hasn't even signed a contract yet. He's added nothing.
Si.com's Ethan Hurwitz commented on the Patriots' 2026 edge situation and his summary is spot on.
"This room is filled with uncertainty right now. If Jacas can sign his contract and Landry's injury woes clear up, this room has plenty to offer. Throw in the inspiring offseason from both Swinson and Ponder, an the Patriots could easily become one of the best pass rushing teams in the league. But that's purely speculation at this point. Those are tall tasks for both second-year players. For now, despite having plenty of names at the position, it's really up in the air about how the season will go."
Gabe Jacas' situation is a major Patriots' headache
The situation mentioned regarding Jacas is an embarrassment to the Patriots front office, whoever actually runs it. The team spent three draft picks to move up in the second round to draft Jacas. Due diligence on a second-round pick (and any pick for that matter) is not an option; it's a necessity.
Yet, Jacas has been double trouble ever since. Not only was he injured, but he also had an offseason procedure, and he's now the only unsigned second-round pick in the NFL. It's a massive front office fiasco.
A lot was riding on Jacas' adding sacks on the edge. He had 11 for the Fighting Illini in 2025. Yet his questionable physical condition and unwillingness to sign a contract kept him on the sidelines throughout all the OTAs.
That's never a good thing for a rookie who's being counted on to contribute immediately. The whole situation is reminiscent of the 2024 offseason debacle, except for drafting Maye.
Behind Landry and Jones, the Patriots have promising Elijah Ponder, who had four sacks in his rookie season, and Jadyn Swinson, a 2025 fifth-round pick who did nothing. To say the position is thin is a gross understatement. Vrabel or whoever else pulls the team's personnel strings now has to either sign a free agent or two or trade for an edge rusher.
The issue can still be resolved. Two top veteran playmaking free agent pass rushers are still available. They are Joey Bosa, who had five sacks and five forced fumbles in 2025 for the Buffalo Bills. He'd be a terrific addition who makes plays.
The other is Jadeveon Clowney, who had 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries for the 2025 Cowboys.
Vrabel should rush to sign one or both of Bosa and Clowney to provide adequate edge and pass-rushing depth before it's too late. Producing sacks (and preventing them) are keys to any NFL football game.
If Vrabel fails to add to his sack total through his edge position, expect additional Seahawk-like drubbings in 2026.
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