Expectations have been considerably raised for the Patriots in 2026.
In 12 months 1 below new head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots went 14-3 throughout the common season and unexpectedly made the Tremendous Bowl after ending 4-13 in consecutive seasons. Now it’s about determining learn how to get again to the Tremendous Bowl and win all of it.
Vrabel and high front-office executives Eliot Wolf, Ryan Cowden and John Streicher have over $40 million in cap area (with different means to liberate extra) and 11 alternatives within the 2026 NFL Draft.
That is the ultimate installment within the Herald’s day by day collection of 5 offseason fixes that cowl the draft, free company and trades that may assist the Patriots get again to the Tremendous Bowl.
Step No. 1: Trade for Maxx Crosby
Step No. 2: Fortify offensive line
Step No. 3: Extend key homegrown players
Step No. 4: Add more explosive receivers
Step No. 5: Put ending touches on protection
The place would the Patriots have been with out Ok’Lavon Chaisson final 12 months?
Chaisson led the Pats in complete pressures throughout the common season and playoffs. He pressured a team-high three fumbles and tallied 10 QB hits within the postseason when nobody else had 4. He was their solely constant, threatening go rusher off the sting.
Or what about Jaylinn Hawkins?
Hawkins completed with 4 interceptions — one other crew finest — plus 1.5 sacks, a half-dozen go breakups, one pressured fumble and 5 QB hits. Solely two Patriots noticed extra defensive snaps than him, and none had the identical, wide-ranging influence.
Earlier than the season, nobody would have projected Chaisson or Hawkins to be a important cog within the crew’s protection. They’d every signed an affordable, one-year contract in free company, and had been taking part in for his or her third crew in six years. But, each finally grew to become a driving pressure inside the Patriots protection.
That is the ability of depth.
The Pats survived the exits of Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, each years-long staples at security, thanks largely to Hawkins’ profession 12 months off the bench. Later, they had been in a position to offload unproductive former second-round defensive lineman Keion White and face up to a knee damage to Harold Landry, who misplaced most of his go speeding potential in mid-October, due to Chaisson. Have been it not for the very fact they signed each to flier offers in free company, the Patriots would have misplaced severe chunk on protection.
Now, heading into this spring, Chaisson and Hawkins are headed again into the free-agent pool. Each have expressed an curiosity in re-signing, although solely time and the market will inform. Even when the Pats solely retain one, or neither, they have to proceed to pad their defensive depth, understanding favorable well being isn’t assured to repeat in 2026.
Which means investing once more at edge rusher, the place buying and selling for Raiders star Maxx Crosby must be Plan A, adopted by cautious consideration at no cost brokers like Chaisson, Boye Mafe (Chargers), Dre’Mont Jones (Ravens), Arnold Ebiketie (Falcons) and Kwity Paye (Colts). The upcoming draft can be plagued by edge rushers, together with projected first-round skills who might slip to the thirty first general choose, like Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Missouri’s Zion Younger and Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas.
If the Pats don’t re-sign Khyiris Tonga, defensive sort out may very well be a place they aim in free company so as to add succesful go rushers behind Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Denver’s John Franklin-Myers and Houston’s Sheldon Rankins are two veterans coming off sturdy seasons, which had been overshadowed by star teammates on the sting. At linebacker, Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss determine to return as starters in 2026, although veteran backup Jack Gibbens, who allowed a landing within the Tremendous Bowl, may very well be changed by a mid-round draft choose. Search for the Patriots so as to add right here.
Within the secondary, anticipate the Pats to prioritize their depth at security and take a protracted take a look at cornerback. Seattle’s Coby Bryant provides a robust free-agent choice and scheme match, as might Jalen Thompson (Cardinals) and Kamren Curl (Rams). Not like the offense, the place the Patriots could also be one explosive weapon away from fixing their receiving corps, it will likely be a numbers recreation within the again seven the place they might want to win a struggle of attrition in opposition to their opponents to complete within the high 5 of scoring protection as soon as once more.
