The Patriots won’t look much like the team that walked off the field after the Super Bowl loss to Seattle, and the biggest changes have come at wide receiver.
New England turned over several meaningful pieces from that championship roster, with Stefon Diggs now gone, Kayshon Boutte moved in preseason, and the team adding A.J. Brown in a major trade with the Philadelphia Eagles and Romeo Doubs on a four-year deal in free agency. That’s the kind of shakeup that changes the feel of an offense fast.
But the roster churn didn’t stop there. Garrett Bradbury is no longer the starting center after being traded to the Chicago Bears once Drew Dalman retired.
Fullback Jack Westover was cut and is now on the Washington Commanders practice squad. Austin Hooper, who was TE2 behind Hunter Henry, left for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
New England also lost several defensive contributors. Jaylinn Hawkins signed with the Baltimore Ravens, while Anfernee Jennings, K’Lavon Chaisson, Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai and Khyiris Tonga all moved on through releases or free agency. Jennings was a rotational player with 280 regular season defensive snaps, Gibbens started half the season and played in every game, Tavai was a rotational linebacker and one of the team’s leading special teams players, and Tonga logged a career-high 337 snaps in the interior rotation with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.
There were other notable departures on the edge and in the back seven as well. Chaisson joined the Washington Commanders, Gibbens signed with the Arizona Cardinals, Tavai landed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tonga agreed to a three-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
On the arrival side, the Patriots added more than just receiver help. Fullback Reggie Gilliam came over from the Buffalo Bills, starting left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker signed a three-year deal, starting safety Kevin Byard got a one-year contract, and former Seahawk Dre’Mont Jones joined on a three-year deal.
The offensive line also gets a fresh face in Caleb Lomu, New England’s first-round pick at No. 28.
The rest of the 2026 draft class gives the roster even more new blood: EDGE Gabe Jacas at No. 55, tight end Eli Raridon at No. 95, cornerback Karon Prunty at No. 171, left tackle Dametrious Crownover at No. 196, linebacker Namdi Obiazor at No. 212, quarterback Behren Morton at No. 234, and EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins at No. 247.
There are a couple of caveats for Wednesday’s game at Lumen Field. Bryce Baringer is on IR, so veteran Mitch Wishnowsky will be elevated from the practice squad in his place. Harold Landry is starting the year on PUP, which means another Super Bowl participant won’t be part of the rematch.
So yes, the Patriots have changed plenty since that Super Bowl loss. Whether those changes make this one look different is another question entirely.
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