New England Patriots 2026 Offseason Outlook

To say the New England Patriots were ahead of schedule in 2025 is quite the understatement. After back-to-back 4-13 seasons, the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel, proceeded to win their first AFC East title in six years and then advanced to Super Bowl LX. A 29-13 loss in the Super Bowl wasn’t as close as the score might indicate, but it’s still fair to say the Patriots — three years removed from Bill Belichick and seven years removed from Tom Brady — are back among the AFC’s top contenders.

2025 recap

One of the key takeaways from thr 2025 season was just how foolish the Tennessee Titans were for firing Vrabel after the 2023 season. Vrabel immediately took control in New England. He inherited a second-year quarterback in Drake Maye and a defense with several free-agent additions. Maye blossomed into a serious MVP contender, passing for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding 450 yards and four more TDs rushing. The defense, meanwhile, got better and better as the season went on. Shutdown cornerback Christian Gonzalez played a key role, as did defensive lineman Milton Williams.

The knock on the Patriots was that their schedule was very easy — they only played three regular-season games against teams that finished with a winning record, and they were 1-2 in those games. But then they swept through the AFC postseason and the defense allowed an average of 8.9 points in those games. And while Maye and the offense struggled in Super Bowl LX, the defense continued to shine, holding Seattle’s offense to just one touchdown in the game.

Key free agents

LB K’Lavon Chaisson
DL Khyiris Tonga
S Jaylinn Hawkins
LB Jack Gibbens

Patriots salary cap space

$42,735,263

2026 draft needs

The Patriots used a high first-round pick on offensive tackle Will Campbell last season, and while he was entrenvhed as the starting LT for New England, he was exposed in the Super Bowl as a liability. The Pats might consider moving Campbell over to guard and making tackle a draft priority once again. Beyond that, edge rusher on defense and receiver on offense might be areas of need.

2026 opponents

Home:Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh

Away:Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Seattle