2026 AFC East Season Recap: Surprises, Shakeups, and Big Questions Ahead
The 2025-26 NFL season wrapped up with the Seattle Seahawks lifting the Lombardi Trophy, but if you blinked, you might’ve missed the celebration-because the league has already hit fast-forward. Coaching hires, roster decisions, and cap gymnastics are already dominating the headlines.
And nowhere is the offseason intrigue more intense than in the AFC East, a division that delivered everything from a Super Bowl run to front office overhauls. Let’s break it down, team by team.
New England Patriots: From Four Wins to the Super Bowl
No team in the AFC East-and arguably the entire league-flipped the script like the New England Patriots. A year removed from a four-win season, they rode a wave of physical defense, smart coaching, and a breakout sophomore quarterback all the way to the Super Bowl.
Mike Vrabel didn’t just bring toughness back to Foxborough-he brought results. In his first year at the helm, Vrabel earned NFL Coach of the Year honors, while offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was named Assistant Coach of the Year. The Patriots’ identity was clear: aggressive, disciplined, and opportunistic on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Drake Maye took a massive leap in Year 2, finishing as the runner-up in MVP voting. He looked like a franchise cornerstone, commanding the offense with poise and delivering in big moments.
On the other side of the ball, cornerback Christian Gonzalez emerged as a true lockdown defender. His postseason performance was a highlight reel of pass breakups, timely tackles, and momentum-shifting plays.
If he’s not already in the conversation for best corner in football, he will be soon.
And here’s the kicker: New England heads into the offseason with $42 million in cap space. After proving they’re a legitimate contender, they’ve suddenly become a premier destination for free agents. The rebuild is over-the Patriots are back in business.
Buffalo Bills: A Familiar Ending, A New Beginning
For the Bills, it was another season that ended in heartbreak. A Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos was the final straw for ownership. After years of coming up short, Sean McDermott was let go-an emotional decision made by owner Terry Pegula after witnessing the locker room’s reaction, including a tearful Josh Allen who reportedly walked past Pegula without a word.
The front office didn’t waste time. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady was promoted to head coach, tasked with not just leading the team but reshaping its culture.
Brady’s message so far? Energy, connection, and love for the game.
That’s all well and good, but the Bills’ problems go deeper than vibes.
They’re currently $9 million over the salary cap, with starting offensive linemen Connor McGovern and David Edwards set to hit free agency. Add in the hefty contracts of Dawson Knox and Curtis Samuel, and the financial puzzle becomes even trickier. The front office has hinted that McDermott bore much of the blame for the team’s plateau-but now it’s on Brady and GM Brandon Beane to prove that the issues weren’t systemic.
New York Jets: Turmoil, Trades, and a Quarterback Conundrum
The Jets entered the season with hope-and exited it in disarray. First-year head coach Aaron Glenn barely survived a rocky debut campaign, and while he kept his job, he didn’t hesitate to clean house. Eight assistants were shown the door, including both his offensive and defensive coordinators.
The biggest move came midseason, when the Jets traded star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts. The return?
Two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. That’s a haul, but it puts pressure on the front office to hit on those picks and build a foundation for the future.
Meanwhile, the quarterback situation remains murky. Justin Fields appears to be on his way out, and the Jets have a decision to make: go young in the draft, pursue a trade for someone like Kyler Murray, or roll the dice on a veteran like Kirk Cousins, who’s expected to hit the market. Whatever the choice, they need stability under center-and fast.
Miami Dolphins: A Reset in South Beach
It wasn’t long ago that the Dolphins were considered one of the most explosive teams in the league. But this season, the wheels came off.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa struggled mightily, and by year’s end, he was benched. That decision signaled more than just a performance issue-it was the beginning of a reset.
Head coach Mike McDaniel was let go, and the front office brought in Jeff Hafley to steer the ship. With a new general manager also in place, the Dolphins are clearly charting a new course.
The biggest question? What to do with Tua.
Cutting or trading him would leave a significant dead cap hit, but the franchise appears ready to move on.
It’s a tough spot, but not unprecedented. Just look at Denver, who paid Russell Wilson $32 million not to play for them this year-and still had Super Bowl expectations before Bo Nix’s injury. If Miami believes a clean break is needed, they’ll find a way to make it work.
Final Thoughts: AFC East at a Crossroads
The AFC East is heading into one of its most pivotal offseasons in recent memory. The Patriots are suddenly a juggernaut again, with money to spend and a young quarterback on the rise.
The Bills are trying to retool around Josh Allen before their window starts to close. The Jets are searching for stability in a sea of uncertainty.
And the Dolphins are rebuilding from the top down.
Every team has a different blueprint-but only one will come out on top next year. Buckle up. The AFC East is about to get even more interesting.