MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 14: Harold Landry III #2 of the New England Patriots celebrates the team's 33-27 win against the Miami Dolphins in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Getty
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 14: Harold Landry III #2 of the New England Patriots celebrates the team's 33-27 win against the Miami Dolphins in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
To start the year, it looked like the Patriots had themselves a major score with the addition of former Titans pass-rusher Harold Landry, who was signed to a three-year, $45 million contract. He had been drafted by coach Mike Vrabel when Vrabel was in Tennessee, so the notion that he would thrive when put into a new situation with New England seemed to add up.
And the numbers showed he did. Landry had 3.5 sacks in his first two games in New England. He had 16 tackles in his first three games. He had five pressures and three quarterback hurries in the Week 6 win in New Orleans alone.
But since that Saints game, Landry has seemed to run out of gas. He has not gotten to the quarterback at nearly the same rate, and has just four pressure in his last five games. Landry has just one hurry in that same span, and has not had a sack for the past four weeks.
Patriots Had Hot Start With Harold Landry
That was one reason many felt that the Patriots would make a move at the trade deadline to add a pass-rusher. Both Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson got off to impressive starts, but have petered out. But without the option to trade, the Patriots will need some improvement from within.
It’s a topic addressed by Patriots beat writer Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, who did note that Landry had a knee injury in Week 6 in New Orleans and was on the injury report with an ankle injury in Week 7 but has not missed a game because of either issue. He could be playing hurt, though.
Kyed said that if Landry is simply gassed at this point in the season, then perhaps the mini-bye this week after the Thursday night game will re-energize him.
Harold Landry, Edge Rushers to Get Internal Reinforcements
Kyed writes in his Patriots mailbag that the team will be looking at two young options down the stretch of the season to bolster the pass rush, Elijah Ponder and practice-squad call-up Bradyn Swinson:
“Landry has still been a solid defender, despite the low sack numbers in recent weeks. I wouldn’t mind seeing Elijah Ponder and potentially Bradyn Swinson mixed in more over the final third of the season.
“Ponder, an undrafted rookie, now has sacks in consecutive weeks. Swinson was signed off of the practice squad this week. There’s no guarantee that he’ll be active on Sundays, but he was a very disruptive pass-rusher during his senior season at LSU, registering 60 total pressures.”
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel on Bradyn Swinson Addition
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel addressed the expectations for Swinson this week.
“He’s worked hard. He’s improved,” the coach said.
“I think he’s worked hard in the weight room, changing his body, getting stronger, learning special teams and doing a good job there. Give us a great look, and those coaches have done a great job of improving a lot of those guys and hopefully getting them ready here for when they have to play.”