A belated glad New Yr!
The Patriots are playoff-bound to start out 2026 and couldn’t have requested something extra of 2025.
Drake Maye must be certain to win the subsequent MVP award, and Mike Vrabel may snag Coach of the Yr. In a month’s time, the Patriots could possibly be getting ready for a return to the Tremendous Bowl. All of that felt like pure fantasy at the moment final 12 months.
Properly, welcome to the NFL.
So what may the remainder of 2026 maintain for the Pats?
Listed here are 26 predictions for what lies forward within the new 12 months:
1. Higher staff, worse file
After coasting by means of a traditionally tender schedule — and sure, it’s been that simple — the Pats will return to Earth in 2026, and their return ought to include a light-weight thud.
Guess on 11 or 12 wins subsequent 12 months, moderately than 13 or 14. That drop will masks enchancment defensively (at the moment ranked twenty fifth by DVOA) and working the ball. Maye, by all accounts, ought to proceed to ascend.
However with 9 video games scheduled in opposition to groups at the moment within the playoff image, the Patriots are certain for some onerous occasions. To not point out, Woman Luck may not look as favorably on Maye and Co. Begin with their 6-2 file in one-score video games this season, and the actual fact they recovered most of their very own fumbles and their opponents’ fumbles this season. None of these bounces are assured subsequent 12 months.
2. Patriots repeat as AFC East champs
Regardless of their drop, the Pats received’t fall removed from their perch within the division. In actual fact, they received’t fall in any respect.
The Jets and Dolphins want extra time and expertise to threaten. Buffalo is going through issues down the center of its protection and with its weapons round Josh Allen. The Pats have fewer roster holes, and extra energy to fill them.
In line with Over the Cap, the Patriots at the moment rank tenth by most cap area for the 2026 season. Anticipate them to make use of that to plug holes of their defensive entrance and proceed to maximise the room offered by Maye’s cost-controlled rookie contract. Regardless of going through a second-place schedule, the Payments received’t catch many breaks whereas additionally going through the whole thing of the AFC West and NFC West subsequent 12 months.
3. Maye doesn’t repeat as MVP
What a leap for me. What a fall for Drake!
Once more, this comes right down to a harder schedule, and the actual fact so many elite quarterbacks had been harm or down this season: Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, to call a number of.
Nonetheless, Maye is simply too good to exit the dialog all collectively. He’ll be within the combine till the tip and end someplace within the high 5 of MVP voting subsequent 12 months.
4. DeMario Douglas is traded
This one hurts.
Douglas could be the most popular participant within the locker room and is actually a pleasure to cowl. However he’s coming into a contract 12 months with a transparent alternative behind him on the depth chart. Efton Chism will not be prepared for a full-time job in 2026, however he’s a hand-in-glove match for the slot receiver position on this system and may cut up snaps with Stefon Diggs.
Subsequently, the Pats flip Douglas for a late-round choose, and entertain extension talks with one other 2023 draft choice: Kayshon Boutte. However again to Diggs …
5. Stefon Diggs will get a elevate
The 32-year-old is owed lower than $2 million assured over the subsequent two seasons. Don’t anticipate that to take a seat effectively with him, as a staff chief and the primary No. 1 receiver the Patriots have fielded in years.
Assuming Diggs’ authorized troubles fade the way in which the staff apparently expects them to, they’re prone to revisit the dressed-up flier contract they signed him to final 12 months. And meaning extra money for Diggs within the coming months.
6. Patriots draft 1st-round edge rusher
No premium place on this roster is in higher want of younger expertise than edge rusher.
The Pats merely want extra juice right here past Harold Landry and Ok’Lavon Chaisson, who can quickly depart in free company. Higher but …
7. Patriots commerce up for a 1st-round edge rusher
That’s higher.
The Pats have an additional 2026 fourth-round choose and three additional sixth-rounders. All of these picks received’t be sufficient to make a serious transfer up within the first spherical, however they need to give Vrabel and Eliot Wolf sufficient confidence to half with their 2026 third-rounder or a future choose in a deal after which replenish that choice(s) in a separate commerce later within the draft.
Preliminary names to know: Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Auburn’s Keldrick Faulk Clemson’s T.J. Parker and Missouri’s Zion Younger.
8. Christian Gonzalez turns into NFL’s highest-paid nook
Gonzalez may end the season with zero interceptions, however his superior numbers are nonetheless close to the highest of the league at his place. As quickly as he’s extension eligible this March, anticipate a deal to comply with.
It’s good enterprise to increase elite gamers at premium positions who received’t flip 25 for an additional 12 months as quickly as potential. The one actual query is that if the Patriots beat the Seahawks to increase their very own first-round nook from the 2023 draft: Professional Bowl cowl man Devon Witherspoon.
One or each of them ought to high Sauce Gardner’s position-leading $30.1 million common annual wage or Derek Stingley Jr.’s $89 million assured, probably the most ever paid to a cornerback. Each of these offers had been struck final offseason.
9. Two place coaches depart
None of those assistants must be dashing out the door, however tight ends coach/passing sport coordinator Thomas Brown appears primed to fly the Foxboro nest.
He’s a two-time former offensive coordinator with interim head-coaching expertise who’s certain to attract curiosity on the teaching carousel this season. Vrabel is bound to present him a glowing overview, be it as a coordinator once more or a head coach. He’s younger, hungry and well-liked across the league.
For the fifth 12 months in a row, the Patriots ought to have a brand new tight ends coach in 2026.
And the opposite assistant? How about Doug Marrone hanging them up?
The counter to a possible Marrone retirement is he’ll solely flip 62 this summer time, and is a soccer lifer courting again to his days as a journeyman participant within the late ’80s and early ’90s. However Marrone spent final 12 months as an analyst for his good buddy, Boston Faculty coach Invoice O’Brien; a decrease stress position than a full-time place coach.
He additionally has two assistants below him now because the Patriots’ offensive line coach. Do the Patriots want three offensive line coaches? Possibly. Possibly not.
10. TreVeyon Henderson turns into RB1
In 2026, Henderson irons out his points in blitz pickup and runs extra patiently, posting a 1,000-yard season because the Patriots’ new full-time again. He may even push for a high spot on the franchise’s all-time single-season dashing board (Corey Dillon leads with 1,645 yards in 2004).
The expertise has all the time been. He simply wanted time.
11. Patriots ‘disappoint’ in free company
In comparison with previous years, this can be a lackluster free-agent class. The highest 10 gamers embody, in some order, Trey Hendrickson, Daniel Jones, Packers offensive sort out Rasheed Walker, Ravens middle Tyler Linderbaum, Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who was simply traded and Cowboys receiver George Pickens, who could not attain the market. Why not?
Recently, all one of the best gamers at each premium place — quarterback, huge receiver, edge rusher, offensive sort out and cornerback — re-sign or are traded earlier than they hit the open market. Massive-time free-agent splashes simply aren’t there to be made.
Which means one of the best huge receiver out there must be the Colts’ Alec Pierce, who’s by no means had a 1,000-yard season. Assuming the Pats don’t land Pierce or a big-name veteran like Hendrickson, March will really feel like a failure to followers.
However similar to final spring, when smaller offers that netted Ok’Lavon Chaisson, Khyiris Tonga and Mack Hollins helped fortify a real contender in New England, free-agent success can once more be mined exterior of the highest of their board.
12. Jaylinn Hawkins re-signs
Hawkins is at the moment headed at no cost company after a breakout season with 69 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a career-high three interceptions.
However the guess right here is that the Patriots don’t let him depart, inking a powerful locker-room presence and tradition driver to a multi-year deal round $10 million yearly. Hawkins represents the kind of veteran Vrabel needs in New England, and the Patriots reward him for his management and on-field efficiency.
13. Ok’Lavon Chaisson walks
Talking of breakout seasons, how about Chaisson?
Nonetheless solely 26, the previous first-rounder has tallied 6.5 sacks, 16 QB hits and two pressured fumbles this season, all profession highs. He’s in his bodily prime and at worst a rotational edge rusher on any NFL roster. Having lastly realized his draft potential, Chaisson lands an enormous free-agent contract elsewhere and leaves New England a wealthy man.
14. Rob Gronkowski is elected to Patriots Corridor of Fame
Adam Vinatieri and Logan Mankins shall be named finalists for a second straight 12 months and have to attend their flip behind arguably the best tight finish of all time.
Gronkowski shall be eligible for the Corridor for the primary time this spring. And he’ll win the fan vote by a landslide.
15. Robert Kraft, Invoice Belichick elected to Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame
Induction is lengthy overdue for Kraft, and Belichick must be a unanimous choice, barring some voter nonetheless salty over Spygate, Deflategate or each.
Both manner, the best coach of all time, and the proprietor who presided over the best dynasty in NFL historical past, get their due. However make no mistake, as they smile for the cameras come August, the awkwardness on that stage shall be palpable.
16. The Patriots play within the Corridor of Fame sport
With Kraft and Belichick coming into the Corridor, that is a straightforward name.
The Patriots are chosen to open the NFL preseason by enjoying the primary exhibition in Canton on Corridor of Fame weekend.
Enjoyable truth: the final time the Pats performed within the Corridor of Fame sport, Tom Brady tried his first NFL passes as a rookie in 2000.
17. Patriots-Payments open Week 1
Drake Maye vs. Josh Allen. Who may resist this scores machine?
The one query is: do they meet on Thursday evening with one staff internet hosting because the reigning Tremendous Bowl champion?
Or do they conflict on Sunday Evening Soccer in Buffalo’s brand-new stadium?
18. One other win in Miami
The South Florida curse is damaged. No less than for now.
The Dolphins must be an unholy, rebuilding mess in 2026, and as poorly because the Patriots have performed down there traditionally, this can be a new period.
Put down one other W subsequent season, one far much less aggravating than the 33-27 victory again in Week 2.
19. A Detroit Thanksgiving
It would have been 16 years for the reason that Patriots performed the Lions on Thanksgiving.
That streak ends Nov. 26, 2026.
20. The Patriots lose within the AFC Championship Sport
So shut.
The excellent news: with Vrabel and Maye, there’ll all the time, all the time, be subsequent 12 months.
