The New England Patriots made double-digit free agent acquisition that had previous experience working with someone on their coaching staff in 2025.
I'd be willing to bet we see something similar take place in 2026...
If you read the headline, you pretty much have an idea of where we're going with this one. New England values familiarity more than just about any other organization in football, so we scoured several lists of unrestricted free agents and pinpointed every single notable name that has experience working with someone who is confirmed to be on the coaching staff or in the front office -- with the exception of players who have already played around here or those who played on the other side of the football and had no direct tie to a coach/executive despite being in the same organization.
Get it? Got it? Good.
TE David Njoku
Experience:
Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024)
Eliot Wolf (Browns; 2018-2019)
Ashton Grant (Browns; 2020-2024)
Njoku is one of the rare players who lasted across several regime changes with the Cleveland Browns, with his first dalliance into free agency expected to bring with it plenty of interest from teams who are looking for someone steady at tight end -- the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers, and New England.
If you're able to overlook the fact that the latter needs to get younger at the position, there are a few things that point to potential interest on both sides.
The Patriots should be prioritizing inline options, which is where the veteran has primarily played across the last several seasons, and likely wouldn't mind rostering two veterans in order to help bring along their inevitable (one could only hope) draft pick at the position.
Flacco to Njoku again! Their second 30+ yard TD of the day
📺: #JAXvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8S30C pic.twitter.com/Up1RsLu81S
— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo
Experience:
Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2022-2023)
Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2022-2023)
Todd Downing (Titans; 2022-2023)
Tony Dews (Titans; 2022-2023)
Jason Houghtaling (Titans; 2022-2023)
Okonkwo was drafted under both Vrabel and Cowden, and had his two best seasons during the final campaign working with this coaching staff and just prior to entering free agency -- combining to surpass 50 receptions and 475 receiving yards, respectively, in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
"He'll tell me, he's only going to coach me as hard as he cares," Okonkwo said of Vrabel back in 2023.. "I know when he is pushing me and he is looking at every single rep I am doing, I just embrace it. He doesn't want me to be a terrible player. He wants me to become the greatest player that I can become. So, for me, I always keep that in the back of my mind and don't let anything he says get under my skin. I know he wants me to be great, and I know he is not doing this to make me feel bad. He just wants me to be a great player."
If there were ever an option to bridge the gap at the position...
EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
Experience:
Mike Vrabel (Texans; 2014-2017) (Titans; 2020)
Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2020)
Terrell Williams (Titans; 2020)
Zak Kuhr (Titans; 2020)
Scott Booker (Titans; 2020
Justin Hamilton (Titans; 2020)
Clint McMillan (Titans; 2020)
Clowney is going to live off one-year deals until his freakish athleticism fades, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon. I'd probably like to see this one happen more than I believe that it actually will, but almost the entire defensive staff has worked with him before and he perfectly fits what the organization should be looking for once training camp rolls around -- or more likely, is about to end.
WR Wan'Dale Robinson
Experience:
Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2024)
Robinson isn't one of the most familiar names on this list, but he does feel like someone who could immediately raise the ceiling of the offense.
The Giants figured it out with the former second-round pick, as he was able to produce in both volume (185 receptions, 1,713 receiving yards) and quality (those numbers more doubled his career marks across the board) across 2024 and 2025. The Patriots suddenly are in need of high-volume wide receivers who can produce from the slot with the release of Stefon Diggs, so perhaps they lean on the insider knowledge held by Cowden.
Jaxson Dart finds Wan'Dale Robinson in the end zone 🙌#ProBowlVote
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/4gDZR13kAS
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 14, 2025
QB Marcus Mariota
Experience:
Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2018-2019)
Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2018-2019)
Todd Downing (Titans; 2019)
Tony Dews (Titans; 2018-2019)
Vrabel probably isn't rushing to sign the guy he once replaced as his starting quarterback, but this feels like the best option if they want to bring in a new backup behind Drake Maye.
OL John Simpson
Experience:
Josh McDaniels (Raiders; 2022)
Todd Downing (Jets; 2024)
Tony Dews (Jets; 2024)
Simpson is one of roughly 274,038 options who has familiarity with members of the current coaching staff and should be considered to start at left guard as the organization figures out what it's going to do with Jared Wilson and Garrett Bradbury.
If you're willing to deal with the penalties (10; 80/81 qualifying guards in 2025), this is someone who was one of the more consistent interior offensive lineman in the NFL from 2022-2024.
DL DaQuan Jones
Experience:
Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2018-2020)
Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2018-2020)
Terrell Williams (Titans; 2018-2020)
Zak Kuhr (Titans; 2018-2020)
Scott Booker (Titans; 2018-2020) (Bills; 2024)
Justin Hamilton (Titans; 2018-2020)
Clint McMillan (Titans; 2018-2020)
Jones won't be someone the organization immediately targets, but perhaps they fall back on their familiarity with him if they need to bring someone aboard following a potential trade of Christian Barmore?
WR Keenan Allen
Experience:
Thomas Brown (Bears; 2024)
Jason Houghtaling (Bears; 2024)
Allen is the older, cheaper, less explosive version of that archetype we described when talking about Robinson.
It's not like he doesn't produce, though -- as the six-time Pro Bowler has 325 receptions, 3,516 receiving yards, and 22 touchdowns since he turned 30. I don't think he's going to slow down for a couple more years, either.
HERBERT BREAKS THE SACK AND FINDS KEENAN ALLEN FOR THE TD ⚡️
DENvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/f95wNegDdP
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025
OL Jedrick Wills
Experience:
Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024)
Ashton Grant (Browns; 2020-2024)
The Patriots already hosted Wills on a visit Thursday.
It's only a matter of time...
OL Jack Conklin
Experience:
Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2018-2019) (Browns; 2024)
Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2018-2019)
Todd Downing (Titans; 2019)
Tony Dews (Titans; 2018-2019
Ashton Grant (Browns; 2020-2024)
Conklin might not even play next season, but his versatility and knowledge of the core principles of this system could be extremely valuable if the organization wants to bring in competition for both Will Campbell and Morgan Moses. Vrabel has a fan in the 31-year-old, for whatever that is worth.
"I think you get exactly what you expect," Conklin said of Vrabel in 2025. "It's a guy who is going to work his (expletive) off, no matter what. He's going to get the most out of his players. He's a great leader."
Best Of The Rest
It's probably insane to include all of these names, but we compiled the list so there's no reason not to share it with you! The Patriots' coaching staff/front office has also previously worked alongside these players:
QB Aaron Rodgers: Eliot Wolf (Packers; 2005-2017), Todd Downing (Jets; 2023-2024), Tony Dews (Jets; 2024)
QB Tyrod Taylor: Eliot Wolf (Browns; 2018), Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2023), Todd Downing (Jets; 2024), Tony Dews (Jets; 2024)
QB Malik Willis: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2022-2023), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2022), Jason Houghtaling (Titans; 2022-2023), Todd Downing (Titans; 2022), Tony Dews (Titans; 2022-2023)
RB Michael Carter: Todd Downing (Jets; 2023)
RB Nick Chubb: Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024), Eliot Wolf (Browns; 2018-2019), Ashton Grant (Browns; 2020-2024)
RB Jerome Ford: Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024), Ashton Grant (Browns; 2022-2024)
RB Breece Hall: Todd Downing (Jets; 2023-2024), Tony Dews (Jets; 2024)
RB Khalil Herbert: Thomas Brown (Bears; 2024), Jason Houghtaling (Bears; 2024)
RB Kareem Hunt: Eliot Wolf (Browns; 2019), Ashton Grant (Browns; 2020-2023)
RB Jeremy McNichols: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2020-2021), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2020-2021), Jason Houghtaling (Titans; 2021), Todd Downing (Titans; 2020-2021), Tony Dews (Titans; 2020-2021)
RB Miles Sanders: Thomas Browns (Panthers; 2023)
RB Kenneth Walker III: Chuckie Keeton (Seahawks; 2024)
WR Tutu Atwell: Thomas Brown (Rams; 2021-2022)
WR DeAndre Hopkins: Mike Vrabel (Texans; 2014-2017) (Titans; 2023), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2023), Todd Downing (Titans; 2023), Tony Dews (Titans; 2023), Jason Houghtaling (Titans; 2023)
WR Kalif Raymond: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2019-2020), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2019-2020), Todd Downing (Titans; 2019-2020), Tony Dews (Titans; 2019-2020)
WR Rashid Shaheed: Doug Marrone (Saints; 2022-2023)
TE Tyler Higbee: Thomas Brown (Rams; 2020-2022)
TE Marcedes Lewis: Doug Marrone (Jaguars; 2015-2017), Thomas Brown (Bears; 2024), Jason Houghtaling (Bears; 2024)
TE Chris Manhertz: Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2024)
TE Foster Moreau: Josh McDaniels (Raiders; 2022), Doug Marrone (Saints; 2023)
TE Darren Waller: Josh McDaniels (Raiders; 2022), Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2023)
OL Braxton Jones: Thomas Brown (Bears; 2024), Jason Houghtaling (Bears; 2024)
OL Kendall Lamm: Eliot Wolf (Browns; 2019), Ashton Grant (Browns; 2020), Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2021), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2021), Jason Houghtaling (Titans; 2021), Todd Downing (Titans; 2021), Tony Dews (Titans; 2021)
IOL Joel Bitonio: Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024), Eliot Wolf (Browns; 2018-2019), Ashton Grant (Browns; 2020-2024)
IOL Daniel Brunskill: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2023), Jason Houghtaling (Titans; 2023), Tony Dews (Titans; 2023)
IOL Brady Christensen: Thomas Browns (Panthers; 2023)
IOL Austin Corbett: Eliot Wolf (Browns; 2018-2019), Thomas Brown (Rams; 2020-2021) (Panthers; 2023)
IOL David Edwards: Thomas Brown (Rams; 2020-2022)
IOL Andre James: Josh McDaniels (Raiders; 2022-2023)
IOL Teven Jenkins: Thomas Brown (Bears; 2024), Jason Houghtaling (Bears; 2024)
IOL Cade Mays: Thomas Browns (Panthers; 2023)
IOL Dylan Parham: Josh McDaniels (Raiders; 2022-2023)
IOL Ethan Pocic: Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024, Ashton Grant (Browns; 2022-2024)
IOL Matt Pryor: Thomas Brown (Bears; 2024), Jason Houghtaling (Bears; 2024)
IOL Dillon Radunz: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2021-2023), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2021-2022), Jason Houghtaling (Titans; 2021-2023), Todd Downing (Titans; 2021-2022), Tony Dews (Titans; 2021-2023)
IOL Wyatt Teller: Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024), Eliot Wolf (Browns; 2019), Ashton Grant (Browns; 2020-2024)
IOL Greg Van Roten: Eliot Wolf (Packers; 2012-2013), Josh McDaniels (Raiders; 2023), Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2024)
IOL Alijah Vera-Tucker: Todd Downing (Jets; 2023-2024), Tony Dews (Jets; 2024)
EDGE Denico Autry: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2021-2023), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2021-2022), Terrell Williams (Titans; 2021-2023), Zak Kuhr (Titans; 2021-2023), Scott Booker (Titans; 2021-2023), Justin Hamilton (Titans; 2023), Clint McMillan (Titans; 2021-2023)
EDGE A.J. Epenesa: Scott Booker (Bills; 2024)
EDGE Dante Fowler Jr.: Doug Marrone (Jaguars; 2016-2018)
EDGE Arden Key: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2023), Terrell Williams (Titans; 2023), Zak Kuhr (Titans; 2023), Scott Booker (Titans; 2023), Justin Hamilton (Titans; 2023), Clint McMillan (Titans; 2023)
EDGE Malcolm Koonce: Josh McDaniels (Raiders; 2022-2023)
EDGE Tyquan Lewis: Justin Hamilton (Colts; 2024)
EDGE Von Miller: Scott Booker (Bills; 2024)
EDGE Azeez Ojulari: Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2023-2024), Zak Kuhr (Giants; 2024)
EDGE Kwity Paye: Justin Hamilton (Colts; 2024)
EDGE Preston Smith: Mike Smith (Packers; 2019-2021)
DL Calais Campbell: Doug Marrone (Jaguars; 2017-2019)
DL Shelby Harris: Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024)
DL Da'Shawn Hand: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2021-2022), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2021-2022), Terrell Williams (Titans; 2021-2022), Zak Kuhr (Titans; 2021-2022), Scott Booker (Titans; 2021-2022), Justin Hamilton (Titans; 2021-2022), Clint McMillan (Titans; 2021-2022)
DL Levi Onwuzurike: Terrell Williams (Lions; 2024)
DL D.J. Reader: Mike Vrabel (Texans; 2016-2017), Terrell Williams (Lions; 2024)
LB Jamal Adams: Terrell Williams (Lions; 2024)
LB Alex Anzalone: Terrell Williams (Lions; 2024)
LB Devin Bush: Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024)
LB Eric Kendricks: Mike Smith (Vikings; 2022)
LB Micah McFadden: Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2023-2024), Zak Kuhr (Giants; 2024)
LB Matt Milano: Scott Booker (Bills; 2024)
LB E.J. Speed: Justin Hamilton (Colts; 2024)
LB Quincy Williams: Doug Marrone (Jaguars; 2019-2020)
CB Rasul Douglas: Mike Smith (Packers; 2021), Scott Booker (Bills; 2024)
CB Cordale Flott: Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2023-2024), Zak Kuhr (Giants; 2024)
CB Roger McCreary: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2022-2023), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2022-2023), Terrell Williams (Titans; 2022-2023), Zak Kuhr (Titans; 2022-2023), Scott Booker (Titans; 2022-2023), Justin Hamilton (Titans; 2022-2023), Clint McMillan (Titans; 2022-2023)
CB Greg Newsome II: Mike Vrabel (Browns; 2024)
CB Eric Stokes: Mike Smith (Packers; 2021)
CB Rock Ya-Sin: Josh McDaniels (Raiders; 2022)
S Dane Belton: Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2023-2024), Zak Kuhr (Giants; 2024)
S Kevin Byard: Mike Vrabel (Titans; 2018-2023), Ryan Cowden (Titans; 2018-2023), Terrell Williams (Titans; 2018-2023), Zak Kuhr (Titans; 2018-2023), Scott Booker (Titans; 2018-2023), Justin Hamilton (Titans; 2018-2023), Clint McMillan (Titans; 2018-2023)
S Nick Cross: Justin Hamilton (Colts; 2024)
S Damar Hamlin: Scott Booker (Bills; 2024)
S Jason Pinnock: Ryan Cowden (Giants; 2023-2024), Zak Kuhr (Giants; 2024)
S Harrison Smith: Mike Smith (Vikings; 2022-2023)
S Andrew Wingard: Doug Marrone (Jaguars; 2019-2020)
More NFL: Patriots Offseason Preview: Everything Team Must Address In 2026