The Patriots’ pass rush has gone from a clear offseason need to a question that keeps hanging over the roster.
Even with the kind of success New England enjoyed in 2025, the defense still had one obvious weak spot: getting after the quarterback. That made finding a difference-maker up front one of the biggest priorities heading into the offseason, especially with a first-place schedule waiting in 2026.
The early moves didn’t do much to quiet the concern. New England added Dre’Mont Jones after letting K’Lavon Chaisson walk, then watched rookie Gabe Jacas miss most of the offseason before finally signing his contract and joining the team a few weeks ago. Jones and Jacas have each had good stretches in practice, but there are still enough unanswered questions to leave fans uneasy about the edge rush rotation.
That’s why so many had their eyes on the remaining veteran free agents, with Von Miller and Kyle Van Noy drawing the most attention.
Miller was still on the board until this past weekend, when he signed with the Cowboys for the upcoming season. That took one more experienced option off the table for a Patriots defense that could have used his presence, even if the veteran version of Miller would have been more about stability and mentorship than peak production.
With Miller gone, Van Noy suddenly looks like the most realistic name to watch. The 35-year-old spent the last three years with the Ravens and posted 12.5 sacks two seasons ago. Last season wasn’t nearly as strong, but the source of that dip may be as simple as workload, since he wasn’t on the field as often as he had been in previous years.
For New England, the appeal is obvious: Van Noy knows the organization, and familiarity matters when the options are thinning out. There are concerns, sure, but the Patriots do not have many clean answers left.
Joey Bosa remains unsigned as well, but the warning signs around him are hard to ignore. The league’s lack of interest and his apparent disinterest in continuing his career make him a tough fit for New England to pursue.
That leaves the trade market, where the Patriots were tied to Maxx Crosby earlier this offseason. The Raiders eventually agreed to send him to the Ravens, but the deal collapsed after his medicals didn’t meet expectations. Crosby is still viewed as a trade candidate before the deadline, and if New England wants the biggest possible boost to its defense, he would be the swing to make.
If not, the Patriots may simply be waiting for next year’s free agency cycle. At least for now, and especially after hearing Mike Vrabel’s confidence in the current pass rush group, that appears to be the direction they’re leaning.
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What makes Haskins interesting is that he is not only trying to earn a place in the backfield, but also helping out on special teams, which often matters just as much when rosters get trimmed. For a Patriots team sorting through the bottom of the running back chart, that kind of versatility can keep a player in the conversation a little longer, even if the final decision is still very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]
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Patriots Offensive Line Battle Just Took Another Early Turn
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One of the more notable developments was the addition of two first-year offensive linemen, a reminder that New England is still sorting through depth and competition up front. The same set of transactions also cleared room elsewhere on the roster, with a long snapper let go and a guard moved to injured reserve, leaving the Patriots with even more questions to answer as the preseason keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]