On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
It's been a notably productive offseason for the New England Patriots amid a bundle of changes taken place from their brutal previous four-win campaign being stamped in the books.
Between a strong draft class, a free agency class with multiple key veterans signed aboard, and perhaps most importantly, a revitalized coaching staff led by Mike Vrabel, the Patriots seem more primed for success than the team has seen in recent memory, and looks on paper to be one of the better offseasons New England has put together in some time.
But, when summing up this Patriots' offseason in one word, what would the best one word to use?
For FOX Sports analyst Ben Arthur, he has one simple, yet optimistic term to encapsulate New England's past few months of offseason work leading up to next season: "ascending."
"With promising second-year quarterback Drake Maye and a proven head coach in Mike Vrabel, the Patriots are poised to take a major leap in 2025. Their big free agency period and a universally respected rookie draft class could set a strong foundation for years to come."
Upon Vrabel's arrival in New England, he didn't waste any time building up his group on both ends in free agency with players possessing high-end talent, his mold of player with toughness and tenacity, and those who hold the aspirational mentality of a "football guy" the head coach is known to bring wherever he goes.
In just a few months, most of the feelings surrounding this Patriots team have gone from doom and gloom to expectations of this roster logging 10 wins as early as next season. It's been nothing short of a major turnaround in New England without even setting foot on the field for the regular season, and on paper, has the qualities necessary for a massive bounce-back campaign to soon be in the cards.
If Vrabel can take control of this Patriots unit early in the season to get them back on track on both sides of the ball, along with a year two jump from Drake Maye under center, it could be an impressive season underway in New England.
More must-reads:
- Browns' Shedeur Sanders addresses missing practice with arm soreness
- Broncos' Sean Payton adds to Bo Nix hype with bold prediction
- The 'NFL mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
'Wild Card' Flashing for Packers Defense During Training Camp
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is going to need to figure out how to put a rhetorical jigsaw puzzle together this season. At cornerback, the Packers have gone so far as to convert former wide receiver Bo Melton to cornerback in hopes of trying to replace former Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander, who was released this spring. The puzzle and potential combinations may be even more wide open at linebacker, as training camp continues and the 2025 regular season approaches. Isaiah Simmons Standing Out for Packers While it would seem that there is plenty of competition at linebacker, for Green Bay, heralded by some ascending young talent, one veteran is making his presence felt this summer. According to the Packers’ Mike Spofford, Isaiah Simmons has been standing out for the Packers, at linebacker, this summer. “Cooper and Walker are the only ones I’d say offer a lot to the pass rush,” Spofford writes for the team’s official website. “We’ll see about Simmons there. He’s the real wild card in this mix. What I like is the range of body types and strengths. McDuffie isn’t all that big or fast but knows the defense and diagnoses plays to put himself in the right spot. Hopper is a thumper. The other guys can attack, run and/or chase in any direction asked. It’s an intriguing bunch.” Simmons, 27, who spent the past two seasons playing safety for the New York Giants, adds not just a veteran presence but the versatility that comes with experience playing multiple positions to the Packers’ linebacking corps. How the Packers wind up using Simmons remains to be seen, but his physicality upfront alongside a player as dominant and talented as Cooper has the potential to be a significant upgrade for Green Bay in the season ahead.
Napheesa Collier Injury Update Adds Drama to Lynx’s Historic Victory
If you’re a Minnesota Lynx fan, your emotions are probably still doing somersaults. Sure, the Lynx just steamrolled the Las Vegas Aces 111-58, accomplishing the largest road win in WNBA history. But the team’s MVP frontrunner, Napheesa Collier, left the game limping, and no amount of points can distract from that gut punch. Collier’s departure came late in the third quarter with her team already leading by a colossal margin. She collided awkwardly with teammate Alanna Smith while jostling for a rebound, and down she went, landing uncomfortably on her right ankle. It was one of those moments that takes the air out of any arena, no matter the scoreline. Why Collier’s Injury Sends Chills Through the WNBA Collier was in peak form before the injury. Earlier in the quarter, her scoring kicked into high gear, bringing her total to 18 points, to go along with five assists, three rebounds, and two steals in just 26 minutes. The Lynx were cruising with a confidence that comes naturally when your franchise player elevates everyone around her. Which is exactly why her injury stings so much. This isn’t just any player. Collier leads the WNBA in points per game this season with 23.8 and has been the focal point of Minnesota’s stellar 24-5 record. Losing her for any length of time could shake up the entire league, not just the Lynx’s season. Cheryl Reeve Faces Tough Questions Head coach Cheryl Reeve didn’t escape post-game scrutiny, as reporters questioned why Collier was still on the court with such a huge lead. The Lynx were up by a staggering 43 points at the time. Reeve defended her decision, saying, “I didn’t think the game was over… these things happen.” She added, “I get it. People are going to rail on me… but we did what we think was right.” Love her or not (and Lynx fans mostly do), Reeve’s response hits at a deeper truth of pro sports. Coaches have to make a thousand judgment calls mid-game, and hindsight always paints the clearest picture. That said, having your star player laid out on the hardwood in a game that was, for all practical purposes, already locked up, is a moment you’d wish you could rewind. Some Sweet Among the Sour As chaotic as the injury drama was, the game itself was a textbook example of how to make dominance look easy. Kayla McBride was the showstopper, going 8-for-8 from three-point range in the first half, setting a new WNBA record. McBride’s 23 points led all scorers and were emblematic of a Lynx squad firing on all cylinders. Even with Collier’s setback, Minnesota’s victory margin wasn’t just historic; it was a statement. Their 53-point blowout dethroned a 1998 Houston Comets win for the largest road victory in league history. For fans looking for something to smile about amid the concern for Collier, that’s a decent silver lining. The WNBA Holds Its Breath Now the league waits. Collier is set to undergo testing and imaging in the coming days. Whether she travels with the team to their next game in Seattle or heads back to Minnesota for further evaluation remains unclear. Players and fans alike, however, are feeling the weight of uncertainty. Kayla McBride spoke for all of us when she said postgame, “You hate to see anybody go down, but especially your MVP.” The Bigger Picture for the Lynx This season, Collier hasn’t just been a player. She’s been a beacon, driving Minnesota from mere playoff contention to outright championship conversation. If her ankle injury sidelines her for longer than a game or two, the ripple effects will be seismic. For now, the Lynx have an MVP-sized gap to fill in Seattle. They’ll look to McBride and others to step up. But as Reeve so eloquently put it, “I can be both happy for our team and worry about Napheesa Collier at the same time.” Fans, It’s Time to Rally The WNBA has a knack for delivering brutal cliffhangers, and this is no exception. Every die-hard Lynx fan, and plenty of Collier admirers league-wide, are crossing their fingers for a quick recovery. What’s certain is this: Collier’s passion and work ethic have always set the tone for her team. Whether she’s on the court or cheering from the sidelines, you can bet her influence will resonate. For now, though, the Lynx’s postgame celebration is muted. Their historic milestone feels like a warm cup of coffee spilled before you can even take a sip. Here’s hoping Collier’s injury doesn’t turn this sweet season bitter.
Three potential landing spots for disgruntled Bills RB James Cook
Superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys aren't the only ones involved in a contract dispute. Buffalo Bills star running back James Cook is seeking a pay raise as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract. When asked Sunday why he wasn't practicing, Cook responded: "Business." ESPN insider Adam Schefter noted on Monday the hold-in by Cook, the 2022 second-round pick (63rd overall) who is unhappy with his contract situation. For now, Cook's future with the Bills is in question, so let's look at three teams that should be lighting up general manager Brandon Beane's phone in an attempt to pry him from Buffalo. Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles must continue to add weapons around second-year QB Caleb Williams. Per NFL.com, Chicago ranked 25th in the league in rushing yards (102 per game) and 29th in yards per carry (four) last season, which is not good enough to support a young QB. RB D'Andre Swift (253 carries, 959 yards rushing, 3.8 yards per carry) is a solid option but was inefficient last season in the workhorse role. Cook, who rushed for 1,009 yards last season (4.9 per carry), is an efficient runner who could balance this offense. Chicago has the draft capital and salary-cap space (roughly $13M, per Over The Cap) to get a deal done, particularly if it were to send Swift back the other way. Arizona Cardinals Their offense could reach new heights with a dynamic running back like Cook. James Conner, who rushed for a career-high 1,094 yards last season, has been a solid lead runner in Arizona over the past four years, but the 30-year-old could use help. Conner is a power back. Speedster Cook would bring a different style and create an explosive one-two punch with QB Kyler Murray. Per Over The Cap, Arizona has roughly $35M in cap space and all its own draft picks to get a deal done. It's a move it must consider to compete in the loaded NFC West. Minnesota Vikings What better way is there to aid rookie QB J.J. McCarthy than by trading for a high-end running back? Minnesota has perhaps the best receiving groups in the NFL, so improving the run game could make this offense unstoppable. Running back Aaron Jones will turn 31 on Dec. 2, so Cook — who will turn 26 on Sept. 25 — would be an upgrade. Free-agent RB Dalvin Cook, who has a similar running style to James, his brother, rushed for 1,173 yards with the Vikings in 2022. The Vikings have draft picks to make a solid offer, and while their cap space will get tight in 2026, they can find ways to wiggle their way around it. Perhaps Buffalo would be interested in Jones being a part of the deal to help its backfield in the short term.
Bengals' Major Concern at Training Camp Could Be Bad News for Joe Burrow
The Cincinnati Bengals' offensive line was atrocious last season, yet miraculously, prized quarterback Joe Burrow remained healthy for the entire season. But that didn't come without his share of bumps and bruises. The star signal-caller was sacked 48 times last year, the 11th-most in the league tying the New York Giants. Obviously the hope is for the Bengals' O-line to improve heading into the new year, but the front office did little in bringing in reinforcements. The bulk of Cincinnati's free agency spending went to re-signing Burrow's elite receiver weapons Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. With their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cincy picked defensive end Shemar Stewart - who just recently ended a messy rookie hold-in at training camp. The Bengals drafted Georgia prospect Dylan Fairchild in Round 3 and Miami tackle Jalen Rivers in Round 5, but numerous injuries at camp continue to grow the uncertainty of Burrow's protection. They open the gates for a starting lineup that may feature multiple youngsters. Lucas Patrick and Amarias Mims, two projected veteran starters, have dealt with injuries so far at camp, leading Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic to constitute this area as a major concern. "On top of concern regarding rookie third-round pick Dylan Fairchild, currently the leader in the clubhouse to start at left guard, the cast of question marks lacking experience, floating behind the starting tackles, is startling," Dehner wrote. "If the Bengals had to play Cleveland this Sunday without Mims, they couldn’t tell you who would hold down the starting spot." Contrastingly, the defensive line has looked solid with Stewart on the edge, even without star companion Trey Hendrickson, who is continuing a hold-in as well during contract negotiations. "Meanwhile," Dehner continued. "The Bengals’ defensive line consistently produced disruptive reps, and they are a group lacking historically potent pass rushers in their own right. ... The Bengals just feel notably weak and inexperienced. When the rest of the offense is so stacked with talent, and the history of the performance in front of Burrow being what it is, that’s hard to look past right now." Burrow has been prone to injuries throughout his five-year NFL career, but his organization isn't currently setting him up for success in that regard with such inexperienced offensive line depth. Bad luck with injuries has played a part there, too, unfortunately. Just over a month away from the first game of the regular season, all eyes will be on the Bengals' offensive line at training camp as they do the best they can to guard last year's leading passer. If not? He risks facing another full season of pocket pressure, which would make it harder to put up the numbers he did last year (which were the best in the league) and win games (something we didn't see as much of). Pro Football Focus ranked the Bengals’ O-line third-worst in the NFL last season after finishing sixth-worst in pass-blocking efficiency. Ahead of the 2025 season, PFF ranked Cincy's offensive line second-worst in the league.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
