The New England Patriots aren’t just back-they’re back in the Super Bowl. Again.
Super Bowl LX will mark their 10th appearance since 2002 and their 12th all-time, a staggering number that speaks to the franchise’s ability to reload, not just rebuild. After the departures of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, many around the league expected a long winter for Foxborough.
Instead, the Patriots have returned to the NFL’s biggest stage in just a few short seasons, leapfrogging plenty of teams still stuck in neutral-including their longtime AFC East rivals, the Miami Dolphins.
While New England prepares for a high-stakes showdown with the Seattle Seahawks, a win would give them the most Super Bowl victories in league history. A loss?
The most Super Bowl defeats. Either way, history is going to be made.
Meanwhile, down in South Florida, the Dolphins are still searching for their footing. Miami hasn’t won a playoff game in 25 years and hasn’t been to a Super Bowl since January 1985-back when Dan Marino was still in his second year. Now, with a new head coach and general manager trying to steady the ship, the outlook for 2026 feels like more of the same: a team in transition, looking for answers.
But the offseason could bring another gut punch for Dolphins fans.
Jaelan Phillips to the Patriots? It’s a real possibility.
According to a recent projection from Pro Football Focus, the Patriots could be eyeing former Dolphins first-rounder Jaelan Phillips in free agency. Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips was once viewed as a cornerstone of Miami’s defense.
But injuries and inconsistency clouded his tenure. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the 2025 trade deadline for a third-round pick-a move that made sense at the time, considering his looming free agency and Miami’s focus on a long-term rebuild.
Now, he’s set to hit the open market. And New England, with cap space to burn and a clear need on the edge, could be ready to pounce.
Phillips’ time in Philadelphia was short but productive. He played in all 17 regular-season games and suited up for the Eagles’ Wild Card loss to the 49ers.
That’s notable, especially considering his availability issues in the two seasons prior, when he played just 12 total games. When healthy, Phillips has proven he can be disruptive-his rookie year saw him tally 8.5 sacks, and while he managed just five this past season, his ability to generate pressure remains his calling card.
That’s exactly the kind of skill set that could appeal to a Mike Vrabel-led Patriots defense. New England’s pass rush was one of the few weak spots on an otherwise solid unit this season, with PFF grading them 29th in that department. Add in the fact that K’Lavon Chaisson is heading into free agency, and it’s easy to see why Phillips would be a logical target.
Financially, the Patriots are in a strong position. With the league’s salary cap expected to rise, New England has the flexibility to make a splash. Spotrac currently values Phillips at around $17.3 million per year-a significant investment, but one that could pay off if he stays on the field and delivers consistent pressure off the edge.
For Dolphins fans, the idea of Phillips wearing Patriots colors-and squaring off against Miami twice a year-is a tough pill to swallow. When the trade to Philadelphia happened, at least there was some solace in knowing he was out of the division. That comfort might not last much longer.
While Miami’s front office turns its attention to reshaping the roster-potentially including a move for quarterback Malik Willis, who’s been linked to the team since the arrivals of Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley-the possibility of a former first-round pick suiting up for a divisional rival adds another layer to an already pivotal offseason.
The Patriots are back in the Super Bowl. The Dolphins are back to the drawing board. And if Jaelan Phillips ends up in Foxborough, the AFC East battle lines just got a little more personal.