New England Patriots: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Patriots WR Mack Collins missed out on $400K bonus, but team gave him the bonus anyway

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins narrowly missed a $400,000 incentive last season, yet the organization has opted to award him the bonus regardless.

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The Quiz of the Day

NFL QB Josh Dobbs, Who Has a Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Explains Whether Football Laces Affect a Pass

Anyone who has tried throwing a football knows it’s not easy. It’s actually extremely difficult. And if you don’t understand the physics behind throwing a football, especially aerodynamics and rotational stability, the ball will wobble or flutter instead of coming out as a tight spiral.

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / February 21

Patriots Draft Trends: How New England Has Attacked NFL Combine

Since the turn of the decade, the NFL Scouting Combine has become a hotbed for the New England Patriots and the eventual NFL Draft. Whether it's been Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo or now Mike Vrabel at head coach, the team has continued to find stars -- and some duds -- that participated in the annual showcase.

Brian Thomas News / Gridiron Heroics / February 20

New England Patriots: Could they make a huge trade for Brian Thomas Jr.?

The New England Patriots are in a very good position heading into the 2026 season. They have an MVP candidate at the quarterback position on a rookie deal, and are returning almost all of their key starters.

J.J. Jansen News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most seasons played by NFL team' quiz

How many of the players in the Super Bowl Era to spend the most seasons with each franchise can you name in five minutes?

The 'No. 1-overall NFL Draft picks' quiz

The 'Last 100-yard-receiving rookie by team' quiz

The '2024-25 NFL rushing leaders' quiz

Stefon Diggs News / Total Apex Sports / February 20

Stefon Diggs’ Cryptic Post Has Everyone Talking: But Is It About Cardi B Or Football?

Look, I’ve covered enough NFL drama to know when a player’s Instagram post is about to send the internet into a full-blown meltdown. And Stefon Diggs? He just threw gasoline on the fire with a cryptic message that has fans, gossip columnists, and armchair analysts all scrambling for answers.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Who is the best all-time defensive back for every NFL franchise?

As NFL rules have changed, defensive backs' job descriptions have transitioned. Here is our best attempt at identifying the premier DB performer in each NFL franchise's history.

New England Patriots News / NFL on ClutchPoints / February 20

Former Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne drops truth bomb on Mike Vrabel and Jerod Mayo differences

The New England Patriots went through a massive turnaround just one season after they replaced Jerod Mayo with Mike Vrabel. After struggling the previous season, Vrabel came in and, in one season, completely changed the way the Patriots operated.

Isaiah Likely News / New England Patriots on SI / February 20

Patriots Should Consider New England Homecoming for Isaiah Likely

As the image of their improbable 2025 season begins to shrink from view, the New England Patriots are turning their attention toward building a roster capable of keeping them atop the AFC in 2026.

New England Patriots News / Larry Brown Sports / February 20

Patriots had classy gesture for WR Mack Hollins

The New England Patriots had a classy gesture for wide receiver Mack Hollins after he fell just short of a contract incentive last season. Hollins would have earned $400,000 in incentives with 50 catches in the regular season, but fell four short, in part because of a lacerated spleen that cost him two regular season games.

NFL News / HITC / February 20

Mike Vrabel’s one quality that even his hater, AJ Brown has to ‘respect’

Mike Vrabel’s one quality that even his former critic, AJ Brown, says he has to respect is the way the coach holds every player accountable, a hallmark of his leadership even in tense relationships.

Mack Hollins News / NFLTradeRumors.co / February 20

Patriots Awarded Mack Hollins $400k Incentive Despite Missing Benchmark

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Patriots awarded WR Mack Hollins his $400k incentive for recording 50 receptions. Hollins finished the year with just 46 catches but missed the last two regular-season games with a lacerated spleen.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest NFL players who never made a Pro Bowl

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest and most recognizable names that never were voted into or played in the Pro Bowl.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Most seasons played by NFL team' quiz

The 'TD-catch leaders by NFL team' quiz

The 'Receiving leaders by NFL season' quiz

The 'NBA All-Star MVPs' quiz

K'Lavon Chaisson News / New England Patriots on SI / February 20

Three Teams That Could Threaten Patriots For K'Lavon Chaisson

For K'Lavon Chaisson, his first season with the New England Patriots will certainly help his 2026 payday. The veteran free agent inked a one-year deal worth $3 million last offseason, and after earning another $2 million in incentives, Chaisson is one of the top pass rushers on the market this offseason.

New England Patriots News / HITC / February 20

Mark Wahlberg makes major prediction about Drake Maye and New England Patriots’ Super Bowl 61 hopes

Mark Wahlberg believes Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are not far away from another Super Bowl, boldly predicting a return to the big game next season.

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / February 20

Patriots Kicker Honored By Hometown After Successful Rookie Year

After a rookie season that ended all the way with a trip to the Super Bowl, New England Patriots rookie kicker Andy Borregales finished his year with some hardware anyways.

Harold Landry News / Pro Football Rumors / February 19

Patriots Unlikely To Retain Harold Landry?

Harold Landry paced the Patriots with 8.5 sacks this past season, but the linebacker’s stay in New England may only last one year. When asked about the status of the veteran defender, Christopher Price of the Boston Globe opined that the player wouldn’t be back with the Patriots in 2026 (via Patriots on CLNS).

NFL News / Yardbarker / February 20

A.J. Brown explains why he 'hated' Mike Vrabel amid rumors

Eagles' A.J. Brown explains why he 'hated' Patriots' Mike Vrabel amid trade rumors

Brown had Vrabel as his head coach on the Titans from the 2019 NFL Draft up until Tennessee traded Brown to the Eagles in April 2022.

Four trade destinations for Brown

Are Eagles changing their stance on potential Brown trade?

Eagles get great news on Lane Johnson

Jayden Daniels has interesting feelings about Eagles fans

Unflattering claim emerges about Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / February 19

Patriots Named Best Fit For Legendary WR

It's official that wide receiver Mike Evans will be returning to the NFL for a 13th season, but where will he play? The pending free agent is among one of the biggest names in the 2026 cycle, and despite not extending his NFL-record 1,000 receiving yard streak last season due to injury, is bound to get some offers across the league.

New England Patriots News / Football Analysis / February 19

Fans Bench Patriots’ Top Draft Pick ‘Indefinitely’ After Super Bowl Disaster

On paper, Mike Vrabel just lived every coach’s dream; he dragged a roster out of a rebuild and into a Super Bowl in year one. In reality, Super Bowl LX turned into a four-quarter mugging at the line of scrimmage, and rookie left tackle Will Campbell was the guy with his fingerprints all over the weapon.

New England Patriots News / NFL on ClutchPoints / February 18

5 players Patriots must let walk in free agency during NFL offseason

New England’s Patriots Super Bowl LX loss has highlighted the offseason priorities that are crucial for the team. ESPN’s Sam Acho emphasized that one key

New England Patriots News / Field Level Media / February 17

Reports: Patriots elevate Zak Kuhr to defensive coordinator

The New England Patriots are promoting Zak Kuhr from inside linebackers coach to defensive coordinator, ESPN and NFL Network reported Tuesday. The move

New England Patriots News / Total Apex Sports / February 17

Zak Kuhr Promoted to Patriots Defensive Coordinator Following Interim Success

The New England Patriots have officially named Zak Kuhr as their full-time defensive coordinator, solidifying a role he held on an interim basis during the team’s run to Super Bowl LX.

New England Patriots News / Pro Football Rumors / February 17

Patriots Promote Zak Kuhr To Defensive Coordinator

Zak Kuhr is indeed taking over as the Patriots defensive coordinator. After serving as the defensive play-caller and interim defensive coordinator in 2025, the inside linebackers coach is earning a promotion to DC, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Brandon Crossley News / NFLTradeRumors.co / February 17