INDIANAPOLIS – The Patriots made a stunning turnaround last season, going from a four-win team to division winner, AFC champion and Super Bowl runner-up.
With Mike Vrabel changing the culture, Drake Maye having a breakout season at quarterback, and an overachieving supporting cast, the Patriots became contenders again and revived their fan base.
But as we heard from both Vrabel and Eliot Wolf at the NFL Combine this week, there’s still work to be done. They have needs to fill. They have hopes of making upgrades at several positions.
Over the course of four days, MassLive spoke with a dozen coaches, agents, executives and talent evaluators to get a beat on the Patriots.
What are they planning in the coming months with free agency and the draft
What will they do with Stefon Diggs, who carries a $26.5 million cap hit? What position is their top priority? Who might they try to sign in free agency?
Here’s what MassLive has been hearing in Indy this week:
What happens with Stefon Diggs?
What will the Patriots do about Stefon Diggs?
We’ll find out soon.
After leading the Patriots with 85 receptions and 1,013 receiving yards, Diggs has a $26.5 million cap hit this season. He also turns 33 next fall. The team frees up $16.8 million on the cap if they release Diggs. They save up to $20.8 million if they cut Diggs with a post-June 1 designation.
Multiple sources told MassLive that the Patriots are working toward a resolution and should have this situation resolved in the coming weeks. Diggs has $6 million in guarantees due on March 13.
The biggest question facing the Patriots is whether they will keep Diggs on his current deal if the receiver is unwilling to restructure.
Depending on who you ask, the answer varies.
One source said that if Diggs wants to remain in New England, he must restructure his contract to lower the cap hit. The Patriots are willing to give him an incentive-laden deal that allows the veteran to earn back the money – if he produces.
A second source predicted Diggs would be unwilling to restructure his contract after leading the Patriots in multiple receiving categories. The team has discussed how they could replace his production. That’s a sticking point due to a poor receiver class in free agency and the Patriots holding the 31st pick in the first round.
The Patriots are also unsure if a soon-to-be 33-year-old Diggs would attain the same production in 2026.
The Patriots know they need to support Drake Maye, and downgrading his receiver corps doesn’t do that. That’s why a third source said the team was willing to keep Diggs on his current deal and swallow the cap hit.
Essentially, multiple scenarios are up in the air, but the Patriots are working toward a resolution.
Diggs also faces a looming court date. He is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on April 1 after pleading not guilty to a felony charge of strangulation and a charge of misdemeanor assault and battery.
Will they trade for A.J. Brown?
There’s internal interest in trading for A.J. Brown, and it’s not just dependent on Diggs.
According to our sources, there’s a scenario where the Patriots could have both receivers on the roster. In the event Diggs is willing to restructure his contract, the team sees an avenue to pair him with Brown.
The receiver hasn’t been happy in Philadelphia and is a fan of Vrabel. That relationship goes both ways. There are concerns, however, about Brown’s knees. He had surgery on both knees in 2021 and sustained another knee injury during the 2023 season. But even with those issues, the veteran has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past four seasons.
Of course, if the Patriots move on from Diggs, trading for Brown is an easy way to give Drake Maye another top-flight option.
The free agent market isn’t great, and people around the league don’t expect Alec Pierce to leave Indianapolis. Veteran Mike Evans doesn’t seem to be a Patriots target at this moment due to health concerns.
For the Patriots, the biggest issue with potentially releasing Diggs is how they would replace his production. Brown would do that – but there’s interest from the Patriots even if Diggs remains in New England.
Patriots fans can only dream.
Patriots’ top nee
It’s not just lip service.
Our sources tell us the Patriots believe edge rusher is the team’s biggest priority this offseason. The Patriots are expected to be suitors in the veteran free agent market as well as the draft.
Although the team would like K’Lavon Chaisson back, it’s not a guarantee he’ll return to New England, as it’s expected he’ll have a robust free agent market. As one league source said, “Chaisson’s looking to get paid.”
Whether or not that’s with the Patriots remains to be seen. Add in Harold Landry’s age and injury history, and the team is looking to reload the depth chart.
Free agent targets
Although the free agent class isn’t considered stacked with top talent, the Patriots like a handful of veteran pass rushers.
Two names to watch are Jaelan Phillips and Trey Hendrickson. We’re told there are quite a few admirers inside Gillette Stadium of both players.
Phillips was a player the Patriots had interest in during the NFL trade deadline before Miami traded him to Philadelphia. The 26-year-old edge rusher had five sacks last season and is viewed as a fit in Vrabel’s system. The big question, however, is how much the Patriots are willing to spend.
Intel at the Combine suggests that Phillips will have a decent market, potentially surpassing $20 million per year. He’s considered one of the best available free agents.
For the right price, the Patriots could also be in the market for Hendrickson. The four-time Pro Bowler missed 10 games last season. Will that bring down his market? In 2024, Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. He would give the Patriots a prolific pass rusher.
The Patriots have plenty of options to reinforce this depth chart. Other free agents include Boye Mafe, Odafe Oweh, and Khalil Mack.
Said one source: “Any good edge player is on the table.”
Draft intel
The Patriots are looking to get younger with their edge rusher position. Some speculated the team could target multiple pass rushers in the upcoming draft.
Keep an eye on edge rushers projected for the back end of the first round. Missouri’s Zion Young is a name to watch. We’re told the Tigers edge rusher is already a favorite among several inside Gillette Stadium. He met with the Patriots at the Combine.
The Patriots also met with Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) and Akheem Mesidor (Miami) in Indy. Both are projected to go in the end of the first round.
They also met with projected Day 3 prospect Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State) and later-round prospect Quintayvious Hutchins (Boston College).
Khyiris Tonga not a lock
The Patriots want Khyiris Tonga back. The defensive tackle also wants to return.
However, that’s not a guarantee to happen.
According to a source, the Patriots and Tonga were close on a contract extension before the playoffs. That deal never materialized, falling apart at the last minute.
The two parties talked again in Indianapolis, but couldn’t come to an agreement because Tonga’s price tag has gone up following the playoff run.
The veteran had his best season in Foxboro, impacting the defensive line while also playing fullback on offense. He’s expected to have multiple suitors in free agency. For that reason, the Patriots’ original deal, which was close, is no longer in the ballpark for what the defensive tackle might make in free agency.
The Patriots aren’t done negotiating with Tonga, but there’s a real chance he lands with another team in the coming weeks.
What’s Christian Barmore’s future
There are some in the NFL who believe Christian Barmore isn’t long for New England.
That sentiment, however, doesn’t match the feeling inside the building.
Internally, the Patriots see a talented player, who still has some growing up to do.
The talented defensive tackle earned a big contract extension in 2024 after leading the Patriots with 8.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits. Since then, it hasn’t been an easy road for Barmore.
After being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in 2024, Barmore’s production has dipped. He’s also had several run-ins with police and has a March 9 court date due to a domestic violence charge.
One league source predicted Barmore wouldn’t be in New England after this offseason. Multiple teams also told MassLive they wouldn’t be interested in trading for the defensive tackle due to his ongoing legal situation.
If the Patriots cut Barmore with a post-June 1 designation, they would free up around $11.5 million off the cap this season.
As it stands, Barmore’s future with the team seems more tied to his court case, than anything else.
Is Jared Wilson on the move
Jared Wilson was considered one of the top center prospects in last year’s draft before moving to left guard for the Patriots.
Will he move back to his true position?
We’re told that’s in the cards for the Patriots, but there’s a big hurdle Wilson needs to clear – Garrett Bradbury.
The Patriots value Bradbury’s leadership and durability. Those are two things Wilson will need to prove before becoming the team’s starting center. Last year, the rookie missed four games with two different injuries – an ankle injury and a concussion.
A source told MassLive the Patriots haven’t approached Wilson about moving to center, but it is his preferred position.
Sources also said that the Patriots would like to create more competition that sees Wilson practicing at center and left guard this offseason.
The plan at guar
If Wilson wins the center competition, the Patriots would need a new starting left guard.
They recently extended Ben Brown, who was their backup at guard and center last season, and he could easily take over the left guard spot.
But we’re told the Patriots are likely to add reinforcements.
Sources said they don’t expect the Patriots to be major suitors in the veteran free agent market. Some names that would provide help are David Edwards and Joel Bitonio.
Instead, the Patriots are hoping to add another guard in the middle rounds of the draft. The team believes they could find a future starting-caliber player here in the spring.
Even if they draft someone, it doesn’t mean Wilson is locked into the center position. The Patriots will let the competition play out this offseason.
The team plans to play the best five, and where that puts Wilson remains to be seen.
Tackle a priority, agai
The Patriots truly believe in Will Campbell. They’ve openly stamped him as their left tackle for the present and future. At the moment, that doesn’t appear to be changing.
However, look for the team to supplement their tackle depth.
The team is expecting starting right tackle Morgan Moses back. The veteran turns 35 next week, and the Patriots are looking for additional depth. Both backup tackles, Vederian Lowe and Thayer Munford, are free agents.
According to a source, the Patriots want to re-sign Lowe. However, they’ll have competition for the veteran. Lowe was a popular name at the Combine for teams looking for a backup left tackle.
This is an area the Patriots are primarily expected to explore in the draft. There are also people inside Gillette Stadium who believe Marcus Bryant, last year’s seventh-round pick, could develop into a steady backup tackle.
Draft focus, not free agenc
The Patriots were well represented at the Combine this week.
Among the Patriots assistant coaches present for prospect interviews were receivers coach Todd Downing, quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant, running backs coach Tony Dews, offensive line coach Doug Marrone, defensive tackle coach Clint McMillan, safeties coach Justin Booker and special teams coach Jeremy Springer.
There’s a good reason they had so many coaches in Indianapolis.
After spending over $100 million in free agency last season, the Patriots aren’t expected to make the same big free agent splash this offseason. They’ll still target several veterans (notably an edge rusher) and build depth, but the team is hoping for another strong draft class.
