Since the start of the offseason, the New England Patriots have been taking their time in deciding anything regarding their roster, with their biggest move so far being the release of wide receiver Stefon Diggs just one year into his three-year deal.
Although it wasn't entirely surprising, it does create another hole that Mike Vrabel and Co. will have to address in free agency, putting more pressure on the new regime to adequately replace the production they lost by moving on from the veteran receiver.
Their other priorities are clear: they also need improvements across the team. But now that they have more cap space to work with, we might see more moves than initially projected, making this year's free agency another can't-miss time.
On this page:
- Free-agency snapshot
- Major Patriots signings
- Potential departures to watch
- Best targets remaining
- Best trade targets remaining
- Depth signings and minor moves
- More Patriots free-agency coverage
Free-agency snapshot
- Cap space remaining: $57,080,841 (per PatsCap)
- Biggest signing: TBD
- Biggest departure: WR Stefon Diggs
- Most surprising move: TBD
- Biggest remaining need(s): EDGE, offensive tackle, tight end
- Last updated: 1 pm on March 6
The Patriots made a lot of big splashes during the 2025 offseason, and most insiders have claimed we shouldn't expect that same activity this year.
However, moving on from Stefon Diggs created $16 million more in cap space, and the Bills traded for WR DJ Moore, so there are plenty of reasons for the Patriots to replicate last year's spending spree.
Major Patriots signings
TBD
Potential departures to watch
EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson
Because one of their biggest weaknesses during the 2025 season was their pass rush, paying attention to how the Patriots handle K'Lavon Chaisson's pending free agency will be far more interesting than it might have been normally.
The veteran stepped up in Harold Landry III's absence and made an unexpected impact for the defense, subsequently earning a new contract after signing a prove-it deal last offseason.
Because of that, however, teams are expected to come calling to sign Chaisson after watching him record the best season of his career, so if New England wants to keep him around, they'll have to act fast and likely dish out a hefty contract.
S Jaylinn Hawkins
The Patriots' secondary has been one of the team's most consistent groups for several years, and it's now led by the impressive cornerback duo of Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III.
Helping to round out the roster is their safety group, with Jaylinn Hawkins having the season of the century in 2025, which seemingly earned him a new contract with the team. Like Chaisson, teams are going to be calling to steal him out of Foxboro, and if it's money he's chasing, Hawkins might leave pretty quickly.
He has made it clear he wants to return to the Patriots, but with their much more limited cap space, it's difficult to say whether they'll offer him a contract he's earned or are good with him walking.
DT Khyiris Tonga
The defensive line began the 2025 season as one of the most dominant forces against opposing running backs, not allowing anyone out of the backfield log more than 50 yards in a game for half the year. A big reason for that was the addition of Khyiris Tonga, a predominantly under-the-radar free agency signing from last year.
Throughout the season, he became a focal point of the defense, and because of that, he's considered a no-brainer re-signing in free agency.
The problem is that other teams around the league were impressed with his performance, too, and reports suggest the Patriots and Tonga were unable to reach an agreement on a new deal during the Combine.
Teams are said to be ready to steal him away, and it would be a massive loss for New England to lose one of their best defenders after just one season with him.
Best targets remaining
LB Jaelan Phillips
Perhaps the most under-discussed position of need at the start of the offseason has been linebacker, and that has made Jaelan Phillips fly mostly under the radar on the Patriots' list of potential signings.
He fits exactly what they are likely looking for to boost their defensive line, as he brings a lot of pressure to opposing quarterbacks, and that has been a weakness of the group for a number of years.
Phillips could immediately fill the void left by K'Lavon Chaisson if he doesn't return for another season, while also elevating the linebacker group as a whole.
WR Alec Pierce
Now that Stefon Diggs has been released, the receiving corps is going to become even more of a priority in free agency, leading the Patriots to Alec Pierce.
He made his feelings known about his pending free agency for the first time in his career, and nearly everything he wants in his next team perfectly described what is going on in New England. That makes him a more perfect fit than before, but it will likely come down to a bidding war to get him to Foxboro.
Pierce is expected to be the most sought-after receiver next week, so the Patriots will need to be prepared to write a big check if they believe he is the right guy to pair with Drake Maye. Based on the rumors since Diggs was released, it sounds like they're willing to do that. We'll just have to see if they really do.
DE Trey Hendrickson
If Mike Vrabel and Co. really want to put their pass rush over the edge, then finally signing Trey Hendrickson would do the trick.
He has already said his goodbyes to the Bengals, seemingly confirming he won't return even if they offered him a contract, and he is set to hit the free agent market for teams around the league to compete for.
The Patriots have been connected to him for the past two years, and now that they'll have their chance to bring him in, they might take the risk. Hendrickson would be just that, a risk, despite his impressive production, mainly because of his age and coming off a season plagued by multiple injuries.
Best trade targets remaining
WR AJ Brown
At this point, if the Patriots don't trade for AJ Brown this year, it's probably fair to assume he will never suit up with New England in his NFL career. The wide receiver has been connected to the team since he was initially drafted, as he was a favorite to be taken by Bill Belichick in the first round.
As we know, that's not how it went, and Brown has since been connected to the franchise still since his trade from the Titans. Now that Mike Vrabel is in charge, there's good reason to believe Brown could make his way to Foxboro.
But the Eagles' current price tag is considered "unserious," and because of that, the Patriots might not make a move. He's still a name to watch, though, as reports suggest Philadelphia isn't opposed to trading him this year.
DE Maxx Crosby
Similar to Brown's price tag, the Patriots might back out of their interest in a trade for pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
Rumors have it that the Raiders and their franchise star have had a falling out over the past few months, and Crosby wants out. If those fences can't be mended, there are plenty of reasons for the Patriots to make a call.
The problem is that the Raiders are likely looking for an egregious return if they're going to ship away their sack leader this offseason. The incoming class of pass rushers might be a better way for the Patriots to solve their defensive woes, too, but there's still reason to keep Crosby on the short list of trade targets for now.
DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
Another pass rusher to keep an eye on will be Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux. With the addition of Abdul Carter last year and the rise of Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence, New York is rumored to be willing to move on from Thibodeaux, making him available to a team like the Patriots.
The rumored asking price is nothing less than a fourth-round pick, and that's a trade that Vrabel and Co. could easily make. It might be their best bet to add some much-needed help to their defensive line, while also bringing in another EDGE through the draft.
Other names analysts have floated as potential Patriots' trade targets: WR DJ Moore, TE Cole Kmet,
Depth signings and minor moves
- Signed OLB Jesse Luketa to a one-year deal on March 5
- Re-sign QB Tommy DeVito to a two-year deal on March 6