The AFC playoff picture is down to two teams, and the Cincinnati Bengals are watching from home. That stings - especially when you remember they were within one score of the New England Patriots back in Week 12, falling 26-20 with Joe Flacco stepping in at quarterback. That game wasn’t just a loss; it was a wake-up call.
New England’s turnaround wasn’t some fluke. It was the product of a calculated, aggressive offseason - and it’s a blueprint the Bengals would be wise to study closely. Because if the Patriots can go from a one-and-done head coach to a 14-3 record under Mike Vrabel in a single season, there’s no reason Cincinnati, with Joe Burrow in his prime, can’t engineer a similar leap.
The Patriots’ Offseason: A Masterclass in Roster Building
Let’s start with Vrabel. He’s one of the sharpest minds in the league, no doubt.
But even the best coaches need talent - and New England’s front office gave him plenty to work with. The Patriots didn’t just dabble in free agency and the draft; they attacked both with purpose.
Their free-agent haul reads like a who's who of impact players: Stefon Diggs, Milton Williams, K’Lavon Chaisson, Garrett Bradbury, Carlton Davis, Robert Spillane, Harold Landry, Jack Gibbens, Khyiris Tonga, Mack Hollins, and Morgan Moses. That’s not just depth - that’s a wave of proven starters and high-upside additions.
But it wasn’t just about spending money. It was about spending it smartly.
Look at how they addressed the safety position - a spot where the Bengals have been scrambling since Jessie Bates left after the 2022 season. The Patriots signed Jaylinn Hawkins to a one-year, $1.8 million deal and drafted Craig Woodson in the fourth round.
This year, those two ranked seventh and 21st among all safeties, per Pro Football Focus.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s duo of Jordan Battle and Geno Stone? They landed at 62nd and 78th out of 96. That’s a big gap in production for a position that’s quietly become a liability.
Draft Decisions: Hits vs. Misses
The Bengals' 2025 draft class didn’t turn many heads - and that’s putting it kindly. Rookies Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter were thrown into starting linebacker roles and struggled mightily.
That’s tough to watch when you already have Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, and Oren Burks on the roster. It felt like a reach, and the results backed that up.
Contrast that with New England, who found real value in the middle rounds. Woodson was a fourth-round gem.
Second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson added a burst to the backfield that had been missing. First-rounder Will Campbell and third-rounder Jared Wilson stepped in to solidify the left side of the offensive line.
Add in Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury on the right side and at center, and suddenly rookie quarterback Drake Maye had a real wall in front of him.
That kind of investment in the trenches is exactly what Cincinnati needs to consider - especially after watching Burrow suffer through two major injuries in three seasons. You can’t afford to waste a generational talent’s prime years without giving him the protection and support he needs.
Defensive Upgrades: Pressure and Presence
While the Bengals waited - and are still waiting - for Joseph Ossai to break out in Year 4 and for 2023 first-rounder Myles Murphy to take a leap, the Patriots made a move that paid off immediately. They signed K’Lavon Chaisson, a former first-rounder who hadn’t quite put it all together in Jacksonville. In New England, he’s thrived - posting 10.5 sacks in 18 games, with three more in the playoffs.
Then there’s Milton Williams, the big-ticket defensive tackle signing from Philadelphia. Four years, $104 million.
That’s a number Cincinnati has never come close to paying for an interior lineman. But Williams has been worth every cent, anchoring the Patriots’ front and giving them a consistent disruptor inside.
It’s the kind of move that changes a defense’s identity - and it’s the kind of move the Bengals have shied away from for far too long.
Skill Positions and Secondary: Stars and Stability
Stefon Diggs wasn’t just a splashy name. He delivered - 85 catches and over 1,000 yards, providing a reliable veteran presence for Maye.
On the other side of the ball, Carlton Davis teamed up with Christian Gonzalez to form one of the league’s best cornerback duos. That’s what happens when you combine smart spending with a clear vision.
It’s hard not to look at this Patriots roster and see what Cincinnati could be - if they’re willing to be bold.
The Bengals’ Offseason: Time to Get Aggressive
Cincinnati’s most impactful free-agent signing last year? Dalton Risner - a late addition who ended up being a solid piece.
But beyond that? T.J.
Slaton at nose tackle was the “splash,” and he performed like a replacement-level player. That’s not going to cut it.
The Bengals don’t need to reinvent the wheel. They have the quarterback.
They have a core of talent. What they need is a front office that’s ready to take calculated risks, spend where it matters, and draft with both fit and upside in mind.
Joe Burrow called this offseason “as big as it gets.” He’s not wrong.
The window is open, but it won’t stay that way forever. If the Bengals want to avoid wasting another year of Burrow’s prime, they need to follow a proven formula - the one the Patriots just used to go from rebuilding to reloading.
New England didn’t wait around. They acted.
They built a roster that could compete now and grow into the future. Cincinnati has the chance to do the same.
But it’s going to take more than hoping for internal development or banking on bargain-bin signings. It’s time to go big - or risk going nowhere.