The New England Patriots are back in a big way-and not just in the win column. With a 14-3 record under new head coach Mike Vrabel and a young, hungry core, the Pats have reestablished themselves as a team on the rise. The postseason has already offered a glimpse of what this group can do, and with a strong offseason ahead, the momentum is very real.
New England enters the offseason with the 9th-most effective cap space in the league and a stockpile of 12 draft picks. That’s not just flexibility-that’s firepower.
For a team that’s already shown it can win, having that kind of capital gives them a real shot to build on what they’ve started. And with Vrabel’s leadership clearly resonating, the Patriots look like a franchise that's not just rebuilding-they're reloading.
Meanwhile, the rest of the AFC East is dealing with a very different reality.
Buffalo’s Window is Tightening
The Bills are staring down a high-stakes offseason. Head coach Sean McDermott is under real pressure to finally get over the hump and win the AFC.
If he doesn’t, sweeping changes could be on the table. The roster still has talent, but expectations are high-and patience is running thin.
This is a team that’s been knocking on the door for years. If they don’t break through soon, the entire direction of the franchise could shift.
Jets: Plenty of Resources, Plenty of Questions
The Jets have the money. They’ve got the draft picks.
But they also have a ton of holes to patch and a head coach who was nearly out the door after just one season. That’s not exactly a stable foundation.
The offseason will be critical for the Jets to prove they can turn all that potential into actual progress. The pieces are there, but the pressure is on to make them fit.
Dolphins: A Roster in Crisis
Then there’s Miami-and things are looking rough.
The Dolphins are in a financial bind, sitting $25 million over the cap. Two players-Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa-are carrying cap hits north of $50 million.
Hill’s deal is more flexible, but Tua’s contract is a different story. Cutting him would trigger a dead cap hit north of $140 million, nearly half of next season’s projected cap.
That’s not just a tough pill to swallow-it’s borderline impossible.
The team is also without a head coach after parting ways with Mike McDaniel. And while a big-name candidate like Mike Tomlin could, in theory, bring stability and culture to a franchise in disarray, Miami doesn’t appear to be high on his list of preferred destinations.
Tomlin Watch: Patriots Catch a Break
That’s good news for New England. If Tomlin were to land in the AFC East, the Patriots would much rather see him anywhere but Miami. But the Dolphins, given their cap situation and roster concerns, don’t seem like a realistic landing spot for the longtime Steelers coach.
From a coaching perspective, Miami isn’t exactly a dream job right now. Beyond the financial mess, the roster is top-heavy and lacking depth.
Tyreek Hill’s future with the team is murky at best. Tua’s situation is even more complicated, with a massive contract and questions about his long-term fit.
There are some bright spots-Jaylen Waddle remains a dynamic weapon, linebacker Jordyn Brooks is a rising force, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick brings All-Pro pedigree-but the overall picture is grim.
Bradley Chubb hasn’t lived up to his $31 million cap number, and 30-year-old defensive lineman Zach Sieler doesn’t offer much value for a team that’s not in playoff contention. In short, it’s a rebuild waiting to happen, and the resources to pull it off just aren’t there.
Tomlin, for his part, remains one of the most respected coaches in the league. Despite limited postseason success in recent years, he’s never had a losing season and holds a career win percentage of .628. Over the last five years, that number has dipped to .571, and he hasn’t cracked double-digit wins in that span-but his ability to keep teams competitive through adversity is unmatched.
Other teams-like the Falcons, Packers, Raiders, Giants, and Titans-are reportedly more appealing destinations for Tomlin, offering either better rosters or more room to grow. There’s even buzz about a possible move to the broadcast booth, should he decide to take a break from the sidelines.
But wherever Tomlin ends up, it likely won’t be in South Florida. And for the Patriots, that’s a win in itself. One less elite coach to worry about in the division, and one more reason to feel good about where things are headed in Foxborough.