The Patriots head into 2026 training camp with the kind of buzz that only comes after a season that blew past expectations. Mike Vrabel arrived with the right pedigree, a former Super Bowl-winning Patriot and a coach who spent six years running the Titans, and New England quickly turned his first year into something bigger than a modest step forward.
After opening 1-2, the Patriots caught fire, winning 13 of their final 14 games - 10 straight at one point - to take the AFC East and then storm through the AFC playoffs with wins over the Chargers, Texans and Broncos. The road win over Denver in the AFC title game was one Brady and Belichick never managed, and even though the Seahawks beat them in the Super Bowl, this was still a brilliant season.
Now the standard is different, and the opener at Seattle brings plenty of pressure.
At quarterback, Drake Maye took a massive leap in 2025 and moved from promising young passer to legitimate MVP candidate. He piled up 4,394 passing yards and a sharp 31-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio, showing off the arm talent and athleticism that make him such a difficult matchup.
Maye looked locked in during the playoffs, but the Seahawks defense got the better of him in the Super Bowl, which leaves him with room to grow. Behind him, Tommy DeVito brings some arm talent and charisma, but New England would take a significant hit if he had to play.
The backfield is built around a dependable veteran and a rising young runner. Rhamondre Stevenson gets knocked at times because he is not an All-Pro and does not win with explosive speed, but he still led the team with 911 yards and 9 touchdowns last season and remains exactly the kind of steady pro a coach trusts. TreVeyon Henderson, who was dominant at Ohio State, had a productive rookie year with 611 yards and 7 touchdowns, and there is a real expectation that his numbers climb again in 2026.
New England also made one of the biggest moves of the offseason by bringing in A.J. Brown from the Eagles to become the top target after Stefon Diggs.
Brown is a seven-year veteran who has been outstanding for most of his career, topping 1,000 receiving yards in six of his seven seasons. He is also the kind of receiver who makes life easier on everyone around him; the source material notes that he has been charged with one drop in the last two seasons, although he had 7 in the 2024 season.
Romeo Doubs, who came over from the Packers, gives Maye another useful option. At tight end, Hunter Henry is coming off a strong season with 60 catches for 768 yards and 7 touchdowns, though the Patriots did lose backup Austin Hooper in free agency.
Up front, the Patriots have both promise and some moving parts. Will Campbell has a chance to be special protecting Maye’s blind side, but he had a tough postseason.
Morgan Moses was rock-solid at right tackle, allowing just one sack last year. The interior line depends on Jared Wilson making the jump from left guard to center, which is no small ask.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, now at left guard, dealt with injuries throughout his Jets tenure, while right guard Mike Onwenu remains the team’s longest-tenured lineman and a fairly steady presence.
On defense, Milton Williams was a major force last season, and his impact went beyond the numbers - 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss. He helped set the tone and freed up Christian Barmore from constant double teams. The Patriots will ask second-year nose tackle Cory Durden to step into the spot vacated by Khyiris Tonga, and that is a significant challenge.
Linebacker is more solid than flashy. Robert Spillane led the team with 97 stops and added 5 passes defensed and 2 interceptions.
Christian Elliss continued to carve out a role with his special-teams work and 76 tackles. Harold Landry paced the team with 8.5 sacks, though he is coming off knee surgery.
The Patriots are also hoping former Ravens linebacker Dre’Mont Jones can create pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The strongest part of the roster may be the cornerback group. Christian Gonzalez is already one of the best cover men around, pairing athleticism with a high football IQ, and he made the Pro Bowl last season. Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones both bring quality coverage ability as well, giving New England a trio that could be among the AFC’s best.
Safety got a boost with the addition of Kevin Byard, who previously played for Vrabel in Tennessee and led the league with 7 interceptions for the Bears last season. He will line up alongside second-year strong safety Craig Woodson, who posted 79 tackles and finished the year playing his best football.
Special teams also looks like a plus. Andy Borregales was perfect on field goals from beyond 50 yards, going 4-for-4.
Bryce Baringer posted a 40.6-yard net average and needs to improve. Marcus Jones remains a dangerous punt returner after taking two back for touchdowns last season, and Kyle Williams and Efton Chism can handle kick return duties.
In Other News...
Patriots Suddenly Have A Real Shot At A Major Tight End Upgrade
The Patriots are heading into the 2026 offseason with a familiar problem at tight end, and Julian Hills season-ending injury only sharpened it. Behind Hunter Henry, the depth chart is thin enough that New England may have to look beyond internal options, with free agency and the trade market both on the table as the team tries to stabilize one of the more important spots in the offense.
One possible path could come from Detroit, where the Lions contract decisions are creating a different kind of roster squeeze and could open the door to movement at tight end. If that develops, New England would have a chance to pursue a major upgrade, whether as a short-term jolt or a longer-range answer if Henry is indeed nearing the end of his Patriots run. Michael Mayer is another name in the mix, but the bigger question is whether the right player actually becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Wright Took Another Shot At Josh McDaniels And Patriots Fans Noticed
Nick Wright took another swing at Josh McDaniels, and Patriots fans were quick to notice because the discussion around New Englands offense has been tied to the coordinator for years. McDaniels has long been one of the most important figures in the teams recent history, with a rsum that stretches from the Brady era through multiple Super Bowl runs, and his return has once again put him at the center of the conversation about where this offense is headed.
The bigger issue for New England is what happens next with Drake Maye, because McDaniels track record with quarterbacks has always been part of his value. The Patriots have seen the offense sputter when he was away and look far more functional when he was back, which is why criticism of his standing as a playcaller lands differently here than it might elsewhere, especially with a young quarterback trying to find his footing. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Vrabel Just Sent A Clear Message About Drake Mayes Backup
Mike Vrabels first offseason in charge has already made the Patriots quarterback hierarchy look a lot different, and the latest move only sharpened the picture. After dealing Joe Milton III away, New England moved quickly to add Tommy DeVito, a steadier fit for the kind of backup role the staff seems to want behind Drake Maye as the team keeps building around a more structured offensive identity.
DeVito does not bring the same flash or arm strength that made Milton an intriguing depth option, but that is part of the point. The Patriots appear to be prioritizing a quarterback who matches their timeline and the rhythm of the system, which leaves the backup job looking far less like a competition for upside and more like a fit test for the way New England wants to play under Vrabel. [Read more 🡒]