![](\"https:\/\/www.bostonherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tsnl48.jpg?w=1468\")
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Expectations have been significantly raised for the Patriots in 2026.<\/p>\n
In Year 1 under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots went 14-3 during the regular season and unexpectedly made the Super Bowl after finishing 4-13 in consecutive seasons. Now it\u2019s about figuring out how to get back to the Super Bowl and win it all.<\/p>\n
Vrabel and top front-office executives Eliot Wolf, Ryan Cowden and John Streicher have over $40 million in cap space (with other means to free up more) and 11 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
This is the final installment in the Herald\u2019s daily series of five offseason fixes that cover the draft, free agency and trades that can help the Patriots get back to the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n
Where would the Patriots have been without K\u2019Lavon Chaisson last year?<\/p>\n
Chaisson led the Pats in total pressures during the regular season and playoffs. He forced a team-high three fumbles and tallied 10 QB hits in the postseason when no one else had four. He was their only consistent, threatening pass rusher off the edge.<\/p>\n
Or what about Jaylinn Hawkins?<\/p>\n
Hawkins finished with four interceptions \u2014 another team best \u2014 plus 1.5 sacks, a half-dozen pass breakups, one forced fumble and five QB hits. Only two Patriots saw more defensive snaps than him, and none had the same, wide-ranging impact.<\/p>\n
Before the season, no one would have projected Chaisson or Hawkins to be a critical cog in the team\u2019s defense. They had each signed a cheap, one-year contract in free agency, and were playing for their third team in six years. Yet, both ultimately became a driving force within the Patriots defense.<\/p>\n This is the power of depth.<\/p>\n The Pats survived the exits of Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, both years-long staples at safety, thanks mostly to Hawkins\u2019 career year off the bench. Later, they were able to offload unproductive former second-round defensive lineman Keion White and withstand a knee injury to Harold Landry, who lost most of his pass rushing potential in mid-October, because of Chaisson. Were it not for the fact they signed both to flier deals in free agency, the Patriots would have lost serious bite on defense.<\/p>\n Now, heading into this spring, Chaisson and Hawkins are headed back into the free-agent pool. Both have expressed an interest in re-signing, though only time and the market will tell. Even if the Pats only retain one, or neither, they must continue to pad their defensive depth, understanding favorable health isn\u2019t guaranteed to repeat in 2026.<\/p>\n That means investing again at edge rusher, where trading for Raiders star Maxx Crosby should be Plan A, followed by careful consideration for free agents like Chaisson, Boye Mafe (Chargers), Dre\u2019Mont Jones (Ravens), Arnold Ebiketie (Falcons) and Kwity Paye (Colts). The upcoming draft is also littered with edge rushers, including projected first-round talents who could slip to the 31st overall pick, like Clemson\u2019s T.J. Parker, Missouri\u2019s Zion Young and Oklahoma\u2019s R Mason Thomas.<\/p>\n If the Pats don\u2019t re-sign Khyiris Tonga, defensive tackle could be a position they target in free agency to add capable pass rushers behind Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Denver\u2019s John Franklin-Myers and Houston\u2019s Sheldon Rankins are two veterans coming off strong seasons, which were overshadowed by star teammates on the edge. At linebacker, Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss figure to return as starters in 2026, though veteran backup Jack Gibbens, who allowed a touchdown in the Super Bowl, could be replaced by a mid-round draft pick. Look for the Patriots to add here.<\/p>\n In the secondary, expect the Pats to prioritize their depth at safety and take a long look at cornerback. Seattle\u2019s Coby Bryant offers a strong free-agent option and scheme fit, as could Jalen Thompson (Cardinals) and Kamren Curl (Rams). Unlike the offense, where the Patriots may be one explosive weapon away from fixing their receiving corps, it will be a numbers game in the back seven where they will need to win a war of attrition against their opponents to finish in the top five of scoring defense once again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What does the Patriots defense need to become elite in 2026? Glad you asked.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":43478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[77,648,531,74,18,227,439,225,1045,226,440,532,1530],"class_list":["post-43477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-england-patriots","tag-drake-maye","tag-josh-mcdaniels","tag-mike-vrabel","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-news","tag-nfl-rumors","tag-patriots","tag-patriots-2025","tag-patriots-news","tag-patriots-rumors","tag-robert-kraft","tag-zak-kuhr"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Patriots](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bostonherald.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26043577746618.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1\")