In a matter of 12 months, the New England Patriots went from a four-win team to a division championship and a berth in Super Bowl 60. It’s one of the biggest turnarounds in NFL history regardless of the outcome.
Significant NFL turnarounds in recent years have followed a similar path. Last year, the Washington Commanders made the NFC championship game following a 4-13 campaign the year before. In 2023, the Houston Texans made a run to the divisional playoffs a year after going 3-13-1.
Like those teams, New England has a new coaching staff, which helped their turnaround to AFC champion. But it also has been an influx of new talent – especially rookies.
Top draft picks Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson played crucial roles in the Patriots’ season, as is expected. It’s not just a two-man rookie class.
New England has 13 rookies on the 53-man active roster. That’s more than any other of the final four teams in the postseason. They’re not just depth pieces, either; New England has five rookie starters across the lineup on offense, defense and special teams.
Here’s how they’ve pushed the Patriots to the brink of a seventh world championship.
Helping an All-Pro QB
Quarterback Drake Maye is an MVP contender and earned second-team All-Pro honors this season. Only one of his starting offensive linemen was on the team last season.
On the left side, Campbell protects his blind side at tackle alongside fellow rookie Jared Wilson at guard.
The two worked out together prior to the 2025 NFL Draft. Campbell went fifth overall to New England, Wilson at No. 95.
“When I got drafted, I didn’t put it together that Will was drafted here too,” Wilson said. “After a day, I was like, ‘Oh wait, I’ll be playing next to Will.’ It was a pretty cool moment.”
“[Wilson]’s worked extremely hard and I love playing next to him,” Campbell said. “I look forward to playing next to him for a while.”
They both credit the staff with preparing them to be ready come Week 1 of the regular season.
“I’ve learned a lot from this staff,” Campbell said. “Coach Vrabel, [offensive line coach] Doug Marrone, you know, those are two guys that have been along, been head coaches… we have a very hands-on head coach who is very helpful and he’s been like that since I first met him.”
It’s not just the staff. New England brought in multiple starters as free agents, including right tackle Morgan Moses. Wilson credits him with helping the rookie linemen protect their franchise quarterback well.
“[Moses] has played 12 years in the league which means you’re doing something really good,” Wilson said.
Moses admits it’s been a two-way street.
“I wish I had the same growth that they had when I was a rookie coming in but that’s a testament to who they are as people, as football players,” Moses said. “What they are and what they stand for, this offensive line, is who we want to be as an offensive line. … I wouldn’t call it a mentorship. It’s been a great relationship throughout the offensive line.”
Veteran free agents helping rookies isn’t confined to the offensive line room. Additions in the wide receiver room are helping the younger players like undrafted rookie Efton Chism III. For him, Mack Hollins and Stefon Diggs have been invaluable resources.
“For us to have the success we’ve had, it goes to show those older guys that they’ve brought in and the people that are here now, it’s the mentality that coach Vrabel wanted and the coaching staff brings to work every day,” Chism said.
Rising to the occasion on defense, special teams
There’s only one rookie starter on defense: safety Craig Woodson. The fourth-round pick out of Cal started Week 1 for a Patriots defense that finished top-five in the league in points allowed.
“They’ve instilled confidence in us in each and every one of us,” Woodson said. “It’s having that support throughout the whole season that’s been big.”
Like Campbell, Wilson and Chism on offense, he’s had veterans around him to rely on in the secondary. Christian Gonzalez is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and free agent addition Carlton Davis III brought seven years of experience to the Patriots.
“They’ve given me a lot of wisdom and really calmed me down,” Woodson said. “Early in the season, everything’s moving fast but having them by my side helped me see the game slower.”
Woodson earned a reputation for physical run defense in college. He brought that to the defense from the jump but saved his best play in coverage for the postseason.
In the playoffs, he’s allowed just three receptions on 10 targets, notched three pass breakups and earned his first career interception against the Houston Texans in the divisional round.
A week later, a 23-yard field goal in a snowstorm by rookie kicker Andy Borregales made the difference against the Denver Broncos to send the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
“It’s never going to be perfect.. but when we’ve needed Andy, I think he’s really settled in,” Vrabel said. “We’ve made big kicks when we’ve had to… if [Super Bowl 60] comes down to a field goal I’m confident that those guys will execute.”
Paying it back
The Patriots rookies have leaned on the veterans and coaching staff to get them to the brink of a world championship.
“I’m more happy for the older veterans that have callused themselves in this league,” Wilson said. “This is their first time in this game, really happy for those guys.”
None of the players on New England’s active roster was on the team when the Patriots won their most recent Super Bowl in 2018. The veterans came from other places; for all but a few, this is the furthest they’ve ever made it in the playoffs.
“As a young guy, when you have great veterans around you like Stefon Diggs, Morgan Moses, Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, who’ve lost in the Super Bowl, you want to see those guys get one,” Campbell said. “To be able to be a part of that for them has been really cool.”
