The New England Patriots are right in the middle between free agency and the draft. That means that news are somewhat limited compared to what was and will be, but that there is still plenty going on in and around the league.
So, with that in mind, let’s clean out the notebook on the week that was. Welcome to our Sunday Patriots Notes.
Kevin Byard has a full-circle moment
For the Patriots, the theme of the 2025 offseason was getting players with connections to head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff. Now in Year 2 of the Vrabel era, that trend continued in the form of one player in particular: safety Kevin Byard, who joined on a one-year, $7 million contract, spent six seasons with New England’s coach in Tennessee.
Along the way, he got a clear view of what makes Vrabel a coach players want to work with.
“First and foremost just the pedigree that he comes in with,” Byard recently explained. “Obviously, winning a bunch of Super Bowls here. Especially when we were in Tennessee that’s the first thing that kind of already gives some credibility to what he’s saying because he knows how to get it done. He knows what it takes. He knows what it looks like. So, it’s very easy to buy in in that aspect.
“But also then it’s just being a leader but also being very personable. I think he does a great job of trying to get better relationships with everybody — your family, knows your kids names and stuff like that. Because I think personally just being a coach it’s easier to be able to get more out of a player when a player knows that you actually care about them. I think that sometimes we know this business is transactional in a way. It is a business but at the same time this is the human business. And I think when you can develop a relationship with somebody on a personable level it’s very easy to be able to hold them accountable and to try to get more out of them. So, I think he does a great job of doing all those things.”
Workout partner raising eyebrows
With the Patriots’ offseason workout program not starting until April 20, players have to work on their own at the moment. Some of them have banded together with others, including Byard.
In fact, the three-time first-team All-Pro found a noteworthy companion: Eagles wide receiver A.J.Brown, who obviously has been the subject of trade rumors involving New England for a while now. Nothing has happened yet, but the rumor mill continues working overtime — and the workout featuring the two former Titans teammates certainly will do its part to not slow it down.
History a selling point
There are several motivations why players change teams in free agency. Money is a big one in most cases, but not always the exclusive reason for movement.
In the Patriots’ case, the head coach/quarterback situation both were factored into signings as was the team’s overall history.
“The most exciting part was the history that this organization has,” said wide receiver Romeo Doubs. “It’s a lot of winning football and playing in this league the statistical factors is one thing — maybe getting some individual accolades is another. But it ultimately comes down to winning.”
“There is something about the Patriots,” added guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. “They just have a history of winning. Then you add Vrabel to that as well with with Drake Maye and the type of guys that they brought in here, it’s really special.”
Tom Brady still has it
Even though his team did not find particular success in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, longtime Patriots quarterback Tom Brady still looked sharp throwing the football in the event. The 48-year-old, who announced his retirement from the NFL three years ago, had some noteworthy plays including the following touchdown pass to another former Patriot, Stefon Diggs.
The showcase, which featured a mix of current and former NFL players, social media personalities and flag footballers, was originally intended to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, it was relocated to L.A. because of the current war in the Middle East.
Flag football is set to make its debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, with several NFL players having expressed a desire to participate. If Saturday is any indication, however, Team USA should be able to compete for gold without their help.
18-game season speculation
The NFL currently plays 17 regular season games, but the league already has plans to change that format. The goal is to move to 18 contests, including one international game per team each season. Realistically, such a move will happen when the new Collective Bargaining Agreement becomes a reality in 2031 because Article 31, Section a states that:
The League and/or Clubs shall not increase the number of regular season games per Club to eighteen (18) or more games.
Nonetheless, there has been speculation about a move to 18 games again this week. One idea floated by NBC Sports insider Mike Florio this week was the league selling the 18-game schedule to the NFLPA in the future by still limiting each player’s maximum games to 17.
Needless to say, a curious proposal.
Week ahead
As noted above, the NFL currently has no important dates on its docket; the next big item will be the league’s annual meeting starting on March 29 in Phoenix. Until then, draft preparation will be at the forefront.
This week’s schedule, looks as follows:
Monday, March 23: Boston College, Duke, Iowa, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, SMU, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo
Tuesday, March 24:, Auburn, Boise State, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Louisville, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Texas, UConn
Wednesday, March 25: Alabama, Arizona, Nebraska, Ohio State, Texas A&M, UCF, Wake Forest
Thursday, March 26: Florida, Pittsburgh, TCU, Texas Tech
Friday, March 27: Arizona State, Florida State, Houston, Maryland, Mississippi State
The Patriots will be represented at most of those pro days, with head coach Mike Vrabel and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf potentially also showing up at a few of those workouts.