The start of 2026 NFL free agency is right around the corner, and all Patriots fans can talk about is who the team should sign to keep their momentum going into next season. While that should be their top priority, there are also plenty of players they should avoid bringing in, some of whom could actually be significant contributors to help them accomplish their goals.
The problem is that they don't fit the culture that Mike Vrabel is creating in Foxboro, and there's no need to disrupt that now or ever.
Because of that, there are a few names to monitor over the next few weeks, and hopefully the Patriots will avoid entertaining any conversation about signing them, regardless of how impressive their careers have been thus far.
4 players the Patriots need to avoid signing in free agency this year
WR Tyreek Hill
From the second he was released from the Dolphins this past week, Tyreek Hill was connected to the Patriots as a possible fix at wide receiver.
The problem is that he's coming off a season ended by an ACL injury and brings a lot of behind-the-scenes and on-the-field drama that they do not need whatsoever. They're already dealing with legal issues surrounding Christian Barmore and Stefon Diggs, so there's no need to add more problems into the mix, no matter how productive Hill can be.
If this were a few years ago, maybe a conversation could be had about signing him. He's clearly an incredible athlete and player, having some of the most memorable catches of the last ten years.
But Hill isn't a culture fit and is likely to return to Kansas City, anyway, not to mention that he would want a massive contract that the Patriots shouldn't be willing to offer.
TE David Njoku
As one of the more under-the-radar positions of need, there is plenty to suggest that David Njoku could be on the Patriots' radar to pair with Hunter Henry in 2026. Austin Hooper is headed for free agency, and the recent draft additions at tight end haven't looked all that promising.
Plus, Vrabel's time spent with the Browns in 2024 immediately brings a connection between the two, so it's inevitable that Njoku will probably have a chat with the Patriots.
But he hasn't been the most productive player in recent years and has missed 11 games since the start of the 2024 season, which is always concerning. On top of that, he's going to be 30 this summer, which means he wouldn't be a long-term solution at the position any more than Henry will be at this point in his career.
The Patriots need to prioritize adding a younger player into the mix, one who can learn from Henry and take over when he decides to call it a career or they, for some reason, decide to move on from him.
Njoku would certainly be a good veteran presence for Maye to work with, but they're better suited to bring in a player like Kyle Pitts to be on the team longer.
LB Bobby Wagner
Besides the flashiest positions that need to be addressed this offseason, the Patriots also need to look for upgrades at linebacker, especially after a season where most of their roster dealt with injuries that sidelined them for several games.
They could look at an accomplished veteran like Bobby Wagner, who still put up impressive numbers in his age 35 season. But that's exactly why they shouldn't consider signing him - he would be a Band-Aid fix on something they need long-term solutions for.
That works well if you're just a few pieces away from competing, which could be argued the Patriots are in that position after representing the AFC in Super Bowl LX. But their roster needs far more help than just one or two players, which was on full display against the Seahawks.
Wagner would bring a presence to the locker room that would certainly fit what Vrabel wants for his team, and he's clearly still productive, which they need. Yet at the same time, he will be 36 when the season starts, so he's nearing the end of his career and wouldn't be with the team for much longer.
That defeats the purpose of signing a player to a big contract at a position as needy as linebacker.
WR Christian Kirk
Near the top of the list for biggest needs this offseason continues to be wide receiver. Although they upgraded the position last year by signing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, Drake Maye needs more help offensively, so adding another playmaker makes sense.
That player shouldn't be Christian Kirk, though, who has missed 18 games over the last three seasons. On top of that, he hasn't reached 1,000+ receiving yards in a season since 2022, which is also the only year he topped that mark.
The Patriots need a more consistently explosive and reliable receiver than Kirk is, which is why many analysts have suggested they make a blockbuster trade for their next WR1, whether it be AJ Brown or George Pickens, who is presumably going to be franchise tagged.
Kirk would fill a role already held by a few players on the current roster, so he doesn't move the needle enough even to consider bringing him in.