ESPN handed the New England Patriots a “B-” for their 2026 offseason, but that grade feels a little light for what they actually did.
This wasn’t a quiet, half-measure kind of spring. The Patriots attacked multiple problem spots, added two high-end wide receivers, drafted what they hope becomes their right tackle of the future, signed an elite safety and kept most of the roster intact after last year’s run to the Super Bowl. That’s a pretty aggressive haul, even before you get into the contract work and depth additions.
One of the moves ESPN’s Seth Walder liked was the restructuring of guard Mike Onwenu’s contract, which opened up several million dollars in cap space. He was less impressed with the money handed to guard Alijah Vera-Tucker - three years, $42 million - because of the injury risk attached to him.
The headline move, though, was the trade for A.J. Brown, something plenty of people had been expecting for months. Walder explained it this way:
"New England had one of the league's most efficient passing offenses last season, but the weakness at wide receiver was apparent, especially after the release of Stefon Diggs. The Patriots spent significant resources to address it, signing Romeo Doubs in free agency and dealing first- and fifth-round picks for Brown,"
He also added:
"The latter deal was a bit rich, but I can understand why they did it. I feel Brown -- even after a down 2025 season -- could be a serious asset to the offense. He still can be one of the very best wide receivers in the NFL, and I would expect a production spike in a pass-heavy offense with a better passer in Drake Maye throwing to him."
That’s the kind of swing that changes the conversation. Once Stefon Diggs was gone, the Patriots’ receiver room of Doubs, Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte was never going to be enough if they wanted to keep pace with last season’s success.
Brown gives Drake Maye a legitimate difference-maker, and for a 23-year-old quarterback, that matters. The first-round price is steep, but it also fits the team’s clear win-now push.
Brown has already shown up during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, which only adds to the excitement around the move.
Walder’s biggest complaint came on the edge, where he didn’t love the Patriots signing Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year deal. His issue was as much about who they let walk as who they brought in.
"One area that still looks a bit weak is edge rusher," Walder wrote. "New England lost K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency after a solid season and replaced him with Jones. Putting aside that Chaisson signed with the Commanders for a cheaper contract than Jones was signed to, I would rather have held on to Chaisson, as Jones recorded a pass rush win rate at edge in just the 22nd percentile."
The Patriots clearly valued Jones’ run defense, but Chaisson’s lone season in New England was productive and fun to watch, and replacing 10.5 total sacks is no small task.
Still, the offseason wasn’t all about the flashy stuff. The Patriots also signed Kevin Byard, the NFL interception leader, to a one-year, $10 million deal.
They brought in fullback Reggie Gilliam to address a real offensive need. Safety Mike Brown and linebacker K.J.
Britt have both stood out in spring work, and so far none of the newcomers have looked out of place.
Put it all together, and the Patriots addressed the spots that needed attention: wide receiver, offensive tackle and edge rusher. Not every move is guaranteed to hit, but the team wasn’t timid. They went after the problems head-on.
That’s why a “B-” feels undersold. The offseason wasn’t perfect, and the off-the-field noise around the organization still hangs over things, but it looks closer to a “B+” than anything below that. The real answers will come once the pads come on, but New England did more than enough to give itself a stronger roster heading into the season.
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What has helped Hollins stand out is that he has backed up the on-field reliability with an offseason routine that has caught attention in its own right. The Patriots have highlighted his work this summer, and the buzz around him has only grown as the team tries to sort out how all those pass-catchers fit together, with Hollins looking like one of the more dependable options in the group. [Read more 🡒]