Patriots Face Pivotal Offseason After Super Bowl LX Loss: What's Next in Foxborough?
The New England Patriots came painfully close to securing a seventh Lombardi Trophy, but their Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium left more questions than celebrations. It was a bruising end to a promising season, and now Mike Vrabel and his staff head into a crucial offseason with a clear mission: reload, retool, and return stronger.
Let’s break down what’s on the Patriots’ offseason checklist as they look to turn the page and chase redemption in 2026.
1. Rethinking Will Campbell’s Role on the Offensive Line
Let’s start in the trenches, where the Patriots’ problems were glaring in the Super Bowl. Rookie left tackle Will Campbell had a rough night protecting Drake Maye’s blind side.
According to Next Gen Stats, Campbell allowed a game-high 14 pressures on 53 dropbacks, plus a sack. That’s not just a bad day at the office-it’s a red flag.
Campbell’s struggles weren’t isolated to the Super Bowl, either. The Patriots gave up 21 sacks in four playoff games, the most in a single postseason run in NFL history. That stat alone tells you everything you need to know about the urgency of shoring up the offensive line.
Coming out of LSU, there were already whispers that Campbell might project better as a guard than a tackle. New England took him fourth overall to be their long-term answer at left tackle, but after a rocky rookie campaign, it might be time to revisit that plan. Sliding Campbell inside to guard could help mask some of his pass-protection issues and allow his power and physicality to shine in the run game.
If that move happens, there’s also the possibility of shifting Jared Wilson-who has center experience from his Georgia days-into the middle. That could give the Patriots a more cohesive interior line, but it would also leave a gaping hole at left tackle. That’s something Eliot Wolf and the front office would need to address aggressively, whether through free agency, the draft, or a trade.
2. Finding a True No. 1 Target for Drake Maye
Drake Maye made a leap in 2025, transforming into a legitimate MVP candidate in just his second season. That’s a testament to his talent-and the offensive overhaul the Patriots executed last offseason. But even with those improvements, it’s clear Maye needs a true go-to weapon on the outside.
Stefon Diggs gave the Patriots their first 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman, but his production was streaky, and he disappeared in the biggest game of the year-just three catches for 37 yards in Super Bowl LX. At this stage of his career, Diggs can still be a key piece, but he’s not the game-changing alpha receiver Maye can lean on every week.
This offseason, the Patriots need to prioritize finding that kind of player. Whether it’s through the draft or a bold trade, New England needs to give Maye a top-tier weapon who can win one-on-one matchups, stretch the field, and take pressure off the young quarterback.
One intriguing name? A certain wideout in Philadelphia who once thrived under Vrabel in Tennessee. That’s the kind of move that could elevate this offense to another level.
3. Christian Gonzalez Extension Looms Large
Christian Gonzalez has quickly become one of the league’s premier cornerbacks, and he showed up in a big way on the Super Bowl stage. Now, he’s eligible for an extension-and he’s going to cost a pretty penny.
With Sauce Gardner setting the current market at $30.1 million per year, Gonzalez will likely be aiming to top that. And honestly, he’s got the résumé to back it up. He’s not just a shutdown corner-he’s a cornerstone piece of this defense.
But here’s where things get interesting. The Jets moved Gardner at the trade deadline this season for two first-round picks.
If contract talks with Gonzalez hit a wall, that trade could serve as a blueprint for what a potential deal might look like. It’s not the preferred route, but it’s something the Patriots will have to weigh if negotiations turn sour.
That said, locking up Gonzalez long-term feels like a no-brainer. He’s the kind of player you build around, and with a young quarterback on a rookie deal, New England has the cap flexibility to make it happen.
4. Cap Space, Draft Capital, and Free Agent Decisions
The Patriots head into the offseason with some solid financial wiggle room-$42.7 million in projected cap space, good for 11th-most in the league. That gives them the flexibility to be active in free agency and potentially swing a deal or two if the right opportunity presents itself.
They’ll also pick 31st overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, which could be a spot to target a left tackle, wide receiver, or even trade up if the board falls the right way.
Here’s a look at some of the key free agents the Patriots will need to make decisions on:
- Austin Hooper, TE - Veteran presence but may be replaceable
- K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE - Rotational pass rusher with upside
- Khyiris Tonga, DL - Depth piece on the interior
- Jaylinn Hawkins, S - Secondary depth
- Thayer Munford Jr., OT - Could be in the mix for a starting job depending on Campbell’s move
- Tommy DeVito, QB (RFA) - Backup option behind Maye
- Jack Gibbens, LB (RFA) - Solid contributor, likely retained
- Vederian Lowe, OT - Another depth tackle who could return depending on how the line reshuffle plays out
There are also several exclusive rights and restricted free agents, including Deneric Prince, Jaquelin Roy, and Jack Westover-young, inexpensive players who could round out the roster.
The Bottom Line
The Patriots are close. That much is clear.
But close doesn’t cut it in Foxborough-not when the standard is championships. This offseason will be about making the right tweaks, not wholesale changes.
But those tweaks need to be sharp, strategic, and impactful.
From reconfiguring the offensive line to finding Drake Maye a true No. 1 receiver, and locking up Christian Gonzalez-or making a tough call if they can’t-this front office has a full plate. The foundation is solid. Now it’s about building on it the right way.
The road back to the Super Bowl starts now.