Every offseason, NFL teams have to make tough roster decisions, and the Patriots have been doing that a lot over the last five years. Fortunately, they don't have many players set to hit free agency this offseason, so they're in the clear in that regard.
But if they want to keep their Super Bowl window open, there are some returning players that might become Mike Vrabel's most difficult decisions yet as the Patriots' head coach.
For most of the weeks since their 2025 season ended, that conversation has surrounded the futures of players like Christian Barmore and Stefon Diggs, but Christopher Price of the Boston Globe believes there's a different name that should be at the top of the list for most obvious cuts, naming linebacker Harold Landry III as someone he doesn't envision returning next season.
Given his history with Vrabel with the Titans and coming to New England because of him, it's unsurprising to hear Price believe this will be the hardest decision that the head coach will have to make over the next few weeks.
Harold Landry is unlikely to return to the #Patriots this offseason@cpriceglobe: "I don't think Landry comes back, given the state of the knee, given the age ... I think if they do have to make that decision right now, they're leaning toward no."
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) February 18, 2026
NEW Episode of the All 32 NFL… pic.twitter.com/Zs6c1oisHR
There's a good chance Harold Landry won't be on the Patriots' 2026 roster
Although bolstering the offense was expected to be the priority in Vrabel's first year, he also ensured the defensive line saw a massive improvement from 2024, leading him to sign several players, including Landry.
The former Titan was projected to become the Patriots' leading pass rusher, and at the start of the season, he was looking like the right guy for the job, recording 3.5 sacks in the first two games against the Raiders and the Dolphins.
But then his production fell over the next several weeks, and he didn't sack another quarterback until Week 6, and eventually, he dealt with an injury that plagued his season on and off the field. It led to him missing the final two games, and although he returned for the playoffs, he didn't look 100%, far from the form he'd begun the season with.
He ended the year with 49 combined tackles, 10 for a loss, 19 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a team-high 8.5 sacks in 15 games.
While that's impressive given how his season went, it might not be up to snuff with what Vrabel was hoping for, or he wants to upgrade the position with someone projected to put up better stats, who is younger, or even someone not dealing with an injury.
Landry recently hinted at needing surgery this offseason, indicating that the injury he was dealing with was far worse than anyone expected, which could be a problem for his status to return to the team.
Something working in his favor, however, is the lack of star power at linebacker heading into free agency. That can boost his chance to be back with New England in 2026, and that might make the most sense, allowing Vrabel to avoid at least one tough decision.