New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel wears a “T-Strong” patch on his coaching vest while standing on the sideline in support of defensive coordinator Terrell Williams during his cancer battle.
Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots ended the 2026 NFL season as the second-best team in the league. After making it to the Super Bowl, the team came up just short against the Seattle Seahawks.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Patriots went from being one of the worst teams in the NFL to one of the best in just one year.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, it was clear that New England had an aggressive mindset. That has been proven to be true with the moves the team has made already.
Among the top moves for the Patriots this offseason are the signings of wide receiver Romeo Doubs, guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones, and safety Kevin Byard III. New England has also improved its roster quite a bit.
That being said, the Patriots could use more pass rushing help. An intriguing option has been suggested for the team to consider in the second wave of NFL free agency.
Patriots Connected to Aggressive Move for Star Pass Rusher
Quite a few rumors have connected New England to being a potential Maxx Crosby trade suitor. With the Las Vegas Raiders seeming likely to keep Crosby, the Patriots could turn their attention to another target.
Matt Okada of NFL.com has suggested Joey Bosa as a possible fit for New England.
Bosa remains a free agent after playing the 2025 NFL season with the Buffalo Bills. He played in 15 games, recording 29 tackles to go along with five sacks, five forced fumbles, and two defended passes.
At 30 years old, Bosa has a long track record of injuries. He is no longer the elite superstar pass rusher that he once was, but he’s still capable of making a good impact. Depending on the price tag, he could make a lot of sense for the Patriots.
Speaking of the price tag, Spotrac has projected that Bosa’s market value is around $13.7 million per season.
Other Names Mentioned as Targets for New England
While Bosa was one name mentioned as a potential target for New England, Okada also suggested a few other players.
To no one’s surprise, Crosby was again brought up as an option. The 2026 NFL Draft was another suggested avenue to bringing in a pass rusher.
A few other free agents who were suggested were Haason Reddick, Cameron Jordan, and Kyle Van Noy.
If the Patriots do want to make a move to add a pass rusher, there are options available. They have made it clear that they’re willing to spend to pursue a Super Bowl. Bringing in one of the aforementioned names would make a lot of sense.
Expect to continue hearing rumors about New England as the offseason progresses. Bosa is a name worth watching closely for the Patriots.