The New England Patriots are officially on to 2026, and after a remarkable turnaround season that saw them go from 4-13 in 2024 to a Super Bowl appearance in 2025, the stakes are higher than ever. Mike Vrabel’s first year at the helm was nothing short of masterful - a total roster overhaul that brought the team back to relevance in a hurry. But as every coach knows, staying on top is often harder than getting there.
With free agency set to open on March 11, Vrabel and his staff face a pivotal offseason. The Patriots have about $35 million in cap space to work with, and that number could grow with a few strategic roster decisions.
But the draft won’t be as kind this year - they’re picking 31st, not third - which means the margin for error is thin. Every move has to count.
Two Clear Needs: Edge and Offensive Line
Let’s start with the obvious: New England has to get better up front - on both sides of the ball. The offensive line struggled in 2025, particularly in pass protection.
That weakness was glaring in the Super Bowl, where the Patriots gave up six sacks while managing just one of their own. That kind of disparity is a recipe for losing big games.
On the defensive side, the edge rush needs a serious boost. Harold Landry III was brought in to help anchor the pass rush, and when healthy, he delivered - 8.5 sacks on the year.
But “when healthy” is the key phrase. A knee injury in Week 6 at New Orleans slowed him down the rest of the way, and he was never quite the same.
He hinted at offseason surgery and has vowed to get back to full strength, which would be a major boost for a defense that leaned heavily on his ability to disrupt the pocket.
Landry’s $11 million base salary is guaranteed for 2026, so he’s locked in. But his return to form is far from guaranteed, and that uncertainty means the Patriots can’t afford to stand pat at the position.
Depth Concerns and Contract Decisions
Behind Landry, the production drop-off was steep. Anfernee Jennings, a former third-round pick, was the primary fill-in - and the results weren’t promising.
He finished the season with just two sacks and has only 7.5 across five seasons. With a $4.8 million cap hit and only $1 million in dead money, Jennings is a likely cap casualty.
On the opposite edge, K’Lavon Chaisson quietly put together a solid campaign. He tallied 7.5 sacks during the regular season, added three more in the playoffs, and showed a knack for making timely plays - two forced fumbles, two passes defensed, and a fumble recovery.
He’s not a dominant edge rusher, but he’s a strong complementary piece. The issue?
He’s an unrestricted free agent, and after a productive year, he’s going to command a decent payday.
If the Patriots bring Chaisson back, Vrabel’s task becomes a bit more manageable - maybe two more edge rushers needed instead of three. But if they lose him, the urgency to add proven pass-rushers skyrockets. Whether it’s free agency, the draft, or a splash trade for someone like Maxx Crosby, Vrabel has to find answers on the edge.
The Clock Is Ticking
The formula for 2026 success is pretty straightforward: fix the offensive line, reload the edge rush, and hope Landry returns to form. That’s easier said than done, of course, but the Patriots have the resources - and they’ve got Vrabel, who’s already shown he knows how to build a winner.
The cap space gives them flexibility, but it won’t last long once the market opens. Prioritizing the trenches - both protecting their own quarterback and getting after the other team’s - has to be the plan. That Super Bowl loss to Seattle was a painful reminder of what happens when you lose the battle up front.
Harold Landry III remains a key piece of this puzzle. If he’s healthy, he’s a double-digit sack guy - the kind of player who can tilt the field.
But even with Landry in the fold, the Patriots can’t bank on internal improvement alone. They need reinforcements, and they need them now.
This offseason is Vrabel’s next big test. Last year, he rebuilt a broken roster.
This year, he has to reinforce a contender. The bar is set - and in New England, it’s always championship or bust.