In winning Super Bowl LIX, the Philadelphia Eagles proved that championship teams are often built from the trenches and out. Many Patriots fans and beat writers clamored for Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf to use Philadelphia's formula to reload the Patriots.
While the Patriots' offense needs arguably the most work out of any area on the team, New England's pass rush was a glaring weakness last season. And when you have a defensive-minded head coach like Vrabel, that shouldn't and won't be allowed to happen in 2025.
Fortunately for the Patriots, plenty of veteran pass rushers will be seeking new homes this season. And some quality ones at that.
Ranking free agent pass rushers the Patriots can sign this offseason
1. Khalil Mack
Mack has proven over the last couple of seasons (88 pressures in 2023) that he has plenty of gas left in his tank. He may be 33 years old, but he notched six sacks last season in helping lead a young Chargers team to a postseason appearance.
Mack was a one-man wrecking ball in L.A.'s Wild Card loss to Houston, recording six tackles and two sacks.
Given his age, Mack likely wouldn't cost the Patriots a lot of money, as it would be silly to give a 33-year-old edge rusher a hefty contract. But he's a guy who would be a valuable locker room presence for the Patriots' young defensive tackles.
2. Haason Reddick
The Patriots have a history of bringing in guys who give other teams headaches—Corey Dillon and Randy Moss come to mind—and for all his talent, Reddick gave the Jets plenty of reason to overspend on Asprin last season.
Reddick missed the Jets' first seven games in a contract dispute after being acquired from Philadelphia, and it's quite obvious that the 30-year-old does not want to be with the moribund Jets in the long term.
Should the Patriots pounce? Indeed, there's nothing better than poaching a free agent from a division rival. Reddick is due for a bounce-back year after recording just one sack in 10 games last season, and maybe a fresh start in a place like New England would be good for him.
He's also very disruptive in the run and pass games, a combination New England's defense sorely lacked last season.
3. Chase Young
Young spent last season in New Orleans on a one-year deal, and with the Saints in salary cap purgatory, there's a snowball's chance in hell that Young will be back in the Big Easy next season.
Young has the talent to be a game-wrecker like he was in Washington and San Francisco. He's only 25 years old and had five and a half sacks for a mediocre Saints team a year ago.
The Patriots need a game-changer at this position, and Young fits the mold perfectly. The only question is how much money he'll demand, given his young age and talent. Should the Patriots pursue him, it should be a short-term (two or three-year) deal.