Mike Vrabel
Getty
New England Patriots HC Mike Vrabel
The New England Patriots went 4-13 in the only season under former head coach Jerod Mayo. Looking to return to the prized franchise it was just a few years ago, the Patriots made upgrades throughout the team.
New England brought in former Coach of the Year winner and former Patriot Mike Vrabel to become the new head coach, spent over $200 million in free agency and addressed key positions in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Athletic released its annual anonymous poll, which surveys executives and coaches around the league and asks questions about next season. One of the questions on the survey was which team would exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season, with the Patriots being tied for first.
One executive said that the Patriots “will be super well-coached, and the division is wide open.”
The Pats were tied with 7 votes with the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, who conducted the survey, believes the Patriots are on the verge of “bouncing back” and can be competitive this season.
Additions To The Patriots
Patriots WR Stefon Diggs
GettyNew England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs
One of the biggest needs for the New England Patriots was acquiring a true WR1. And the team did just that by signing Stefon Diggs to a three-year deal. Diggs will be the primary target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye and will help with his development.
The Patriots selected an offensive tackle, Will Campbell, in the 2025 NFL Draft and signed tackle Morgan Moses in free agency to protect Maye.
To get more production out of the backfield, the Patriots drafted running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second round of this year’s draft.
New England made many acquisitions in free agency for the defensive side of the ball.
Signing Super Bowl LIX winner Milton Williams to a four-year deal. Adding EDGE rusher Harold Landry, who played under Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams in Tennessee. Signing Carlton Davis to give the Pats an elite CB duo with Christian Gonzalez. Rookie Craig Woodson appears to be the starting safety after roster cuts. Bringing linebacker Robert Spillane to the team, who was tied for the third-most tackles in the league last season.
A revamped team head to toe, the Patriots’ roster is better than last season and should see improvement under Vrabel.
Lights Are Too Bright?
Drake Maye
GettyNew England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye
The Patriots’ rebuild is a work in progress and will take more than a year before the team can be a Super Bowl contender.
While making the playoffs is plausible and the team seems poised to surpass the 2024-25 season, it is too early to tell how well they will play.
Drake Maye is entering the season as the undisputed starter and will see how he plays without sharing snaps. Maye could experience slow development and not live up to expectations in his second season.
New England is currently favored in 11 of its 17 games next season, according to DraftKings SportsBook.