[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 NFL Preview Magazine. Order your copy today online or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]
The New England Patriots didn’t undergo a complete makeover this offseason, but it’s safe to say that head coach Mike Vrabel and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf just about tore the franchise down to the studs — quarterback Drake Maye, cornerback Christian Gonzalez and some other foundational elements — with the hope of building back another championship team in its place.
Vrabel takes over from another former New England linebacker in Jerod Mayo, who went 4-13 in his one season at the helm while proving to be the latest example of “Don’t be the guy who follows the guy.” As a result, the post-Bill Belichick hangover still lingers over this franchise, but the shadow of the old coach doesn’t loom as large as it once did.
More NFL team previews
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North:Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South:Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East:Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
The Patriots were hyper-aggressive in free agency, landing blue-chip talent and high-character locker room guys on both sides of the ball. They weren’t shy about parting with established veterans, getting rid of some of their last links to the Super Bowl era. And they went hard in the draft, going after help for Maye and creating another layer of depth on all three levels of defense.
The result? A sense of guarded optimism. That, mixed with Vrabel’s brand of swagger and enthusiasm for the rebuild, has created a heightened sense of expectation. Only one team has won fewer games than the Patriots since the start of the 2023 season, so there’s nowhere to go but up, right?
“We all want to win. That’s why we’re here,” Vrabel says. “That’s why I got hired; it’s to win, to put a product on the field [fans] can be excited about, that they can care about, and they can support. Like, that’s the whole goal. And I don’t think they should have to wait very long.”
Offense
Vrabel brought back offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who has been charged with guiding Maye and the rest of the New England attack. The third overall pick in 2024, Maye underwent his share of growing pains as a rookie thanks in large part to a woeful offensive line and a lack of skill-position players around him. If McDaniels can figure out a way to get Maye to the next level, it’ll represent a sizable step in the right direction for one of the worst offenses in the league last year.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
One thing that will help is a retooled offensive line. The Patriots started 12 different offensive linemen last year, two shy of the all-time record. They landed veteran offensive linemen Morgan Moses (right tackle), Wes Schweitzer (guard) and Garrett Bradbury (center) in free agency. The hope is they can fit with some of the holdovers like Mike Onwenu (right guard) and Cole Strange (left guard), as well as rookies Will Campbell (left tackle) and Jared Wilson (center).
When it comes to the skill-position players, they shored up the receiving corps with veterans Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins and rookie Kyle Williams. That group, as well as holdovers Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, will engage in some of the fiercest position battles on the roster. Most teams usually lean on six receivers, which means two familiar faces won’t be around when the season begins.
There’s also a spicy position battle brewing at running back, as second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson will fight with established vets Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson for reps this season. The one area that will likely remain status quo is tight end, where Hunter Henry (one of Maye’s favorite targets in 2024) and Austin Hooper deliver an adequate 1-2 punch.
Defense
On defense, Vrabel and new coordinator Terrell Williams have changed the scheme — and personnel. For years under Belichick — as well as last year’s plan with Mayo — the Patriots’ defensive linemen were more about occupying space in a 3-4 alignment to free things up for the linebackers. Now, they’re eying a more attacking, disruptive playing style, particularly for the defensive line.
But at the end of the day, a lot of the success or failure of this defense will hinge on the health and continued development of two players: Gonzalez and defensive lineman Christian Barmore. Gonzalez has emerged as a No. 1 corner, capable of putting the clamps on elite receivers on a regular basis. Meanwhile, Barmore was sidelined for much of last year with blood clot issues. If he can return at 100%, his ability to get after opposing passers while remaining stout against the run would bring an added three-down dimension to the defense that no one else on the roster can match.
Eagles Super Bowl LIX hero Milton Williams meets with Patriots media after signing a free-agent deal with New England.
Eagles Super Bowl LIX hero Milton Williams meets with Patriots media after signing a free-agent deal with New England.
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
In addition, free-agent pickups Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga, as well as Barmore and fourth-round pick Joshua Farmer, should make for a beefed-up interior that will keep offensive line coaches busy game-planning. Edge defenders like Keion White, Harold Landry III and Anfernee Jennings are expected to round out the bulk of the defensive front.
Linebacker Robert Spillane and cornerbacks Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III, a free-agent pickup from Detroit, figure to lead the second level. Safety has remained the most stable position for New England the last few seasons, and that should be the case again with veterans Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger.
Specialists
When it comes to special teams, changes are coming, as the rookie long-snapper Julian Ashby replaces veteran Joe Cardona and rookie kicker Andres Borregales steps in for Joey Slye. Punter Bruce Baringer and gunner Brenden Schooler remain; the duo were the best and most consistent part of the Patriots’ special teams units the last two seasons. Gibson and reserve cornerback Marcus Jones will be involved on returns.
Final Analysis
So much hinges on a few key elements: Maye’s continued growth. The ability of Campbell to handle the responsibilities of the left tackle spot. If Barmore can return at 100% after a bout with blood clots. The truth of the matter is that if the Patriots aren’t able to answer those questions, they could be bound for another four-win season and more instability.
But if everything breaks right and the Patriots stay healthy, eight or nine wins aren’t out of the question, given the schedule and improved roster. That would represent a step in the right direction for a franchise that aims to return to greatness sooner rather than later.
“We have to improve. I mean, I think that’s the goal,” Vrabel says. “Our expectations aren’t going to change; it’s going to be to win the division, it’s going to be host playoff games, and it’s going to be to compete for championships. So we’re never going to put a timetable or any sort of prediction on when that may happen. But it has to happen.
“We’re going to build a program, we’re going to have a foundation, we’re going to give them something to believe in and be proud of. And hopefully, they are able to hold each other accountable to that standard.”
More NFL team previews
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North:Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South:Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East:Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks