The New England Patriots just pulled off one of the most remarkable single-season turnarounds we’ve seen in recent NFL memory. From a 4-13 finish in 2024 to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl appearance in 2025, the Mike Vrabel era is off to a thunderous start - even if it ended with a tough 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60.
Still, as promising as the resurgence was, the Patriots know the job isn’t done. If they want to build on this momentum and stay in the contender conversation heading into 2026, there’s work to do - particularly when it comes to roster depth and key positional upgrades.
Let’s start with the good news: the foundation is strong. Quarterback Drake Maye looks like the real deal, showing poise and flashes of brilliance in his first full season as the starter. Pair that with a budding star in cornerback Christian Gonzalez and a 2025 draft class that delivered immediate contributors, and you’ve got the makings of a young core that can compete for years.
But the NFL doesn’t wait around for anyone, and neither will the AFC. If New England wants to keep pace with the conference’s elite, they’ll need to bolster some key areas - edge rusher, offensive line, and wide receiver are all spots where added depth and top-end talent could make a big difference.
The good news? They’ve got the resources to do it.
With ample cap space and a healthy stockpile of draft picks, the Patriots are well-positioned to be aggressive this offseason.
The NFL’s tampering window opens March 9, which means the clock is already ticking for Eliot Wolf, the team’s executive vice president of player personnel, and the rest of the front office. Free agency always brings a flurry of movement, and New England figures to be in the thick of it.
But it’s not just the roster getting a shakeup - there’s movement on the coaching staff as well.
On February 12, reports surfaced that defensive coordinator Terrell Williams is being moved into a high-ranking role on the staff, opening up the DC position for 2026. Williams, who courageously battled prostate cancer during the 2025 season and is now cancer-free, had handed over defensive play-calling duties to inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr during his treatment.
Kuhr, by all accounts, stepped up in a big way. He operated as the de facto defensive coordinator throughout the season, helping guide a unit that played fast, physical, and disciplined football.
According to reports, he’s now considered a top candidate to officially take over the DC role. While nothing’s finalized yet, Kuhr’s familiarity with the personnel and his on-field leadership make him a logical choice to carry the torch.
So, what’s next for the Patriots? That depends on how they navigate the coming weeks.
They’ve got a promising young quarterback, a coach who’s clearly struck a chord with the locker room, and the kind of roster flexibility that allows for bold moves. But the margin for error in the NFL is razor-thin - especially in a conference stacked with quarterback talent and playoff-tested teams.
The pieces are in place. Now it’s about how they move them.