What the New England Patriots are doing in Mike Vrabel’s first season as head coach is almost hard to fathom. The new regime turned over nearly half the roster this past offseason and has a lot more work to do going forward. Yet the Patriots will enter Week 14 tied for the best record in the NFL at 11-2.
Vrabel’s Patriots are way ahead of schedule, and they’ve quickly reminded fans what it feels like to love their team and look forward to Sundays again.
But, at the same time, how ever this whirlwind season ends for New England in January (or February, even), the roster figures to undergo heavy change in 2026, as Vrabel continues to bring in players that fit his system; his Patriots are projected to rank in the top 10 in salary cap space once again next March, per Over the Cap.
New England obviously won’t be spending over $360 million in free agency for a second straight year, but they could look to add another big piece or two for ascending quarterback Drake Maye.
In the NFL, it’s always best to follow the money, and a recent contract move from one of the Patriots’ chief AFC rivals could open up an intriguing free agent option for Vrabel and crew to explore in 2026.
Young tight end Isaiah Likely makes perfect sense for the New England Patriots in 2026 free agency
When healthy, tight end Isaiah Likely has been a productive player for John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens as a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Now midway through his fourth season, he’s caught 130 passes for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career.
Likely’s rookie contract is set to expire after the 2025 season, and the Ravens sent a not-so-subtle message on their plans when they signed veteran Mark Andrews to a three-year, $39.3 million contract extension on Dec. 3.
That means Likely — who just so happened to be born in Cambridge, Massachusetts — will almost certainly get to test his market in free agency next year before deciding whether to remain in Baltimore or sign elsewhere.
Where is Isaiah Likely from again?
— Football (@BostonConnr) December 4, 2025
Oh yeah, Massachusetts.
Welcome to the Patriots Isaiah https://t.co/NbYzvDiRTH
The Patriots figure to be in the market for a tight end, as the position has always been an integral part of Josh McDaniels’ scheme. Hunter Henry, for example, is having a career year in his ninth pro season, entering Week 14 with 45 catches for 610 yards and five touchdowns.
The good news for Maye and the Patriots is that Henry is already signed through 2026. Austin Hooper, however, is a pending free agent and will be entering his age-32 season.
Hooper's a Vrabel guy, as they were in Tennessee together back in 2022. But now in Year 2 with the Patriots, his production has tailed off considerably. Upgrading with a player of Likely’s skillset would add a whole new dimension to the Patriots' offense.
Likely's only 25 years old and could be costly — Spotrac estimates a market value of $10.4 million in average annual value — but New England should have both the means and motivation to bring him back home.