With Super Bowl LX officially in the books and the 2025 NFL season now part of the history books, all 32 teams have shifted into offseason mode. For the New England Patriots, this next stretch is more than just retooling - it's about building on momentum. After a surprising run to the Super Bowl in Mike Vrabel’s first year as head coach, the Patriots have a real opportunity to solidify themselves as long-term contenders.
At the center of it all? Drake Maye.
The second-year quarterback exceeded expectations in 2025, showing flashes of the franchise-caliber player New England hoped for when they drafted him. Now, the front office’s mission is clear: surround Maye with the right pieces to elevate his game and take that next step.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the key dates on the Patriots’ offseason calendar and what they mean for the team’s path forward.
February
February 17 - Franchise Tag Window Opens
The NFL’s franchise tag window opens, but don’t expect the Patriots to be major players here.
While they have 14 players set to hit free agency, none are likely to command the kind of top-tier price tag that comes with a franchise designation. With the salary cap projected to land between $301.2 million and $305.7 million, New England is sitting on roughly $42 million in cap space - a solid war chest, but one they’ll likely allocate elsewhere.
February 23-March 2 - NFL Scouting Combine
The annual pilgrimage to Indianapolis is on deck, with over 300 draft hopefuls set to showcase their athleticism, football IQ, and off-field intangibles at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Expect the Patriots to have their full contingent in attendance - Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, Ryan Cowden, and Matt Groh will all be on hand to evaluate prospects up close. With 11 draft picks in their pocket, including the 31st overall, every rep and interview matters.
March
March 3 - Franchise Tag Deadline
This is the final day for teams to apply the franchise or transition tag.
Again, not a likely tool for New England this year, but it’s still a key date to monitor around the league. Who gets tagged - and who doesn’t - will shape the early free agency landscape.
March 9-11 - Legal Tampering Period
This is when things start to heat up.
From noon ET on March 9 through just before 4 p.m. ET on March 11, teams are allowed to negotiate with agents representing upcoming unrestricted free agents.
No deals can be signed just yet, but this is when the groundwork gets laid - and, in many cases, when verbal agreements are struck. Just look back to 2019, when Trent Brown had a massive deal lined up within minutes of the window opening.
March 11 - Free Agency & League Year Begin
At 4 p.m.
ET, the 2026 league year officially begins. That means contracts can be signed, trades can be finalized, and teams must be under the salary cap.
For New England, this marks the real beginning of the offseason roster shuffle. With $42 million in cap space and no big-name free agents of their own to retain, they’re in position to be aggressive - or at least opportunistic - in the early wave of signings.
This is also the deadline for teams to exercise contract options (New England has none) and to extend qualifying offers to their unrestricted and exclusive rights free agents. While the Patriots do have players in those categories, restricted free agent tenders don’t appear to be on the horizon.
March 13 - Contract Guarantee Trigger for Diggs and Barmore
This is a big date for two key names: wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
Both players are facing legal issues from alleged incidents last year, but from a football standpoint, March 13 is when significant portions of their 2026 salaries become fully guaranteed - $6 million for Diggs, $10 million for Barmore - if they remain on the roster. That puts the front office on the clock for two major decisions.
April
April 15 - Final Day to Host Draft Prospects
Up until this date, the Patriots can bring up to 30 draft-eligible players into their facility for official visits.
After that, any remaining meetings must take place at the player’s location. Last year, the team’s top brass flew to Baton Rouge for a final look at Will Campbell before selecting him fourth overall - don’t be surprised if they make another late push for a prospect they’re high on.
April 17 - RFA Offer Sheet Deadline
This is the last day for restricted free agents to sign an offer sheet with another team.
It’s not expected to be relevant for New England’s internal free agents, and the odds of them targeting RFAs from other teams are slim. Still, it’s a procedural date worth noting.
April 20 - Start of Offseason Workout Program
Phase 1 of the offseason program kicks off, focusing on strength and conditioning.
Since the Patriots aren’t breaking in a new head coach this year, they’re part of the second wave of teams allowed to begin workouts. It’s the first real on-field step toward 2026, and a chance for players to start building chemistry - especially important for a young quarterback like Maye.
April 22 - Final Day for Prospect Contact
This marks the end of all pre-draft contact with prospects, including off-site visits. From here on out, teams go into draft mode with the information they’ve gathered.
April 23-25 - NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
The Patriots head into the draft with 11 picks, including the 31st overall.
They’re not expected to receive any compensatory selections this year after being active in free agency last offseason, but trades could always shake things up. With a solid foundation already in place, this draft is about finding impact players who can contribute early - especially on offense, where surrounding Maye with playmakers and protection remains a priority.
May
May 1 - Fifth-Year Option Deadline for Christian Gonzalez
The Patriots are expected to work on a long-term extension with cornerback Christian Gonzalez, but if a deal isn’t reached, they’ll need to decide by May 1 whether to exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Gonzalez, the 17th overall pick in 2023, has shown the kind of upside that makes this a no-brainer - but it’s still a key marker in the offseason timeline.
Looking Ahead
This offseason isn’t about rebuilding for the Patriots - it’s about refining. With a promising young quarterback, a head coach who’s already made his mark, and a front office that’s shown a willingness to be aggressive when the time is right, New England is in a strong position. The next few months will be about smart decisions, strategic additions, and setting the stage for a 2026 campaign that could be even better than the last.