INDIANAPOLIS — With the NFL Scouting Mix in full swing and free company lower than two weeks away, the league has introduced its new wage cap determine.
The 2026 NFL wage cap is set at $301.2 million. That’s up $22 million from the 2025 offseason.
The Patriots presently have $40,398,596 in cap house, per OverTheCap.com. That places them tenth within the NFL in wage cap house. The Patriots had the most cap space within the NFL final offseason and went on handy out $364,370,000 in complete contract worth and $174,909,000 assured at signing.
With simply over $40 million in cap house, the Patriots usually are not anticipated to be as energetic in free company this offseason, although there are nonetheless methods to unlock extra spending cash.
Releasing or buying and selling vast receiver Stefon Diggs earlier than March 13, when the brand new league 12 months begins, would unlock $18.9 million. The group may additionally unlock extra cap house by restructuring among the greater contracts on their roster, like Milton Williams’ and Robert Spillane’s.
Head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t appear involved with the Patriots’ cap quantity when requested about it this week on the mix.
“I’ve by no means actually tried to get centered (on that),” Vrabel stated. “If I store at Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom or one thing, I’ve gotten to the purpose now in my life the place if I would like one thing, I can normally purchase it. I’m certain Richard Miller, Eliot (Wolf) and Matt Groh will work and do every part that they’ll to assist us signal the gamers, with sure exceptions. I haven’t even gotten that far. In case you like one thing, you normally simply attempt to purchase it.”
OverTheCap.com lists the Patriots’ “efficient” cap house at $36,278,072. That’s “the cap house a group may have after signing at the very least 51 gamers and its projected rookie class to its roster.”
The Patriots have 11 picks within the 2026 NFL Draft, together with 5 picks within the first 4 rounds.
Whereas the Patriots will almost definitely spend the vast majority of their cap house by free company, they might additionally elect to ship away draft picks in potential trades for Eagles vast receiver A.J. Brown or Raiders edge defender Maxx Crosby.
“Yearly is completely different. Yearly is a chance in free company and the draft to enhance the roster,” Wolf, the chief vice chairman of participant personnel, stated this week. “And it’s not simply free company within the draft. It’s trades, it’s waiver claims, it’s restricted free company, all these issues. We’re going to discover every part that we are able to.”
Vast receiver would turn into a serious want if the Patriots elect to half methods with Diggs, although they might should be assured that one other high-caliber vast receiver may shake free.
The Patriots’ prime wants are at edge defender, on their offensive line and at security.
Exterior linebacker Okay’Lavon Chaisson and security Jaylinn Hawkins, each starters in 2025, are impending free brokers, and each gamers may have strong markets.
The Patriots’ complete beginning offensive line is returning in 2026, although they might nonetheless use an improve at left guard. Jared Wilson, who performed heart in school, began at left guard in 2025 and was a weak hyperlink within the unit. Wilson may compete with beginning heart Garrett Bradbury in camp subsequent summer season. That may open up a necessity at left guard.
The group can also be shallow at tight finish with Austin Hooper set to enter free company. Hunter Henry and CJ Dippre are underneath contract on the place, whereas fullback/tight finish Jack Westover is an exclusive-rights free agent.
Defensive deal with Khyiris Tonga, and offensive tackles Vederian Lowe and Thayer Munford Jr. are additionally unrestricted free brokers. If the Patriots lose Lowe and Munford, then they need to be out there for a backup offensive deal with behind starters Will Campbell and Morgan Moses.
Linebacker Jack Gibbens is the group’s prime restricted free agent, adopted by cornerback Alex Austin and quarterback Tommy DeVito.
