The Patriots may still be feeling the sting of their Super Bowl loss, but the offseason doesn’t wait for anyone. And in Foxborough, the wheels are already turning. Head coach Mike Vrabel and personnel chief Eliot Wolf are wasting no time in laying the foundation for 2026-and one of their first moves sends a clear message: they’re serious about building from the ground up.
On Tuesday, New England signed 11 players to futures contracts, a standard move this time of year, but one name stood out to Patriots fans: Leonard Taylor III.
Let’s be clear-Taylor hasn’t started an NFL game yet. But if you watched the Patriots’ postseason run, you know exactly why this signing matters.
After being let go by the Jets, Taylor found a second wind in New England. In seven games-regular season and playoffs combined-he racked up five solo tackles and seven pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
That’s solid production for a midseason addition still finding his footing. But more than the numbers, it was the moment that made him memorable.
In the AFC Championship Game, with the Patriots clinging to a 10-7 lead in the fourth quarter, Taylor stepped up in a massive way. Denver’s Will Lutz lined up for a 45-yard field goal to tie it.
Taylor knifed through and got the block. Ballgame.
That play didn’t just help punch New England’s ticket to the Super Bowl-it cemented Taylor’s place in Patriots lore. In a game full of gritty, low-scoring tension, his special teams heroics stood out as one of the defining moments.
That kind of impact, especially from a rotational defensive lineman, is hard to ignore. And clearly, Vrabel and Wolf didn’t.
Taylor’s return is also a nod to the work of defensive line coach Clint McMillan, who made a strong impression in his first season on staff. Under McMillan, the Patriots’ interior defenders posted the league’s best pass-rush win rate and pressure rate.
That’s not a coincidence. Taylor’s growth in that system-and his ability to contribute in big moments-suggests there’s more to come.
Another offseason in McMillan’s room could unlock even more from the young lineman, both as a pass-rusher and a run defender.
There’s still some uncertainty on the defensive side of the coaching staff. Terrell Williams, the team’s defensive coordinator, is currently battling cancer, and his status for 2026 remains unclear. But regardless of who’s calling the plays, Taylor’s development will remain closely tied to McMillan-and, to a certain extent, to special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer, who was the architect behind the game-changing field goal block in Denver.
Taylor’s also the kind of guy you want in the locker room. He’s a culture fit-humble, hardworking, and clearly invested in the team.
After signing his futures deal, he took to social media to thank Patriots fans, posting a heart-hands emoji on X. It’s a small gesture, but it says a lot.
He wanted to be back. And the feeling was mutual.
Right now, Taylor is technically on a futures contract-a training camp invite with no guaranteed roster spot. But make no mistake: there’s a path here. If he builds on what he showed in the back half of the season, he could earn himself a long-term role in New England’s defensive front.
In a post-Super Bowl haze, it’s easy to overlook a signing like this. But for the Patriots, bringing back Leonard Taylor III isn’t just a feel-good story-it’s a smart football move. It’s the kind of under-the-radar offseason win that championship teams stack on their way back to the top.