The Official 2026 New England Patriots Thread

[HuskyHawk]

Exciting things are coming soon with free agency. Pats have cap space, but also need to extend Gonzalez and next year, Maye.

• Diggs will be released, but that's almost entirely contract related. He had $6M contract guarantee coming and was due $26M this year. He could be back on a restructured deal but they had to release him before that guarantee took effect next week.
• Barmore's situation is up in the air. Hell of a player, but we will see how his case goes.
• Alex Piece hitting free agency is interesting. On one hand, he's a great fit with Maye. On the other, he's somewhat duplicative of both Williams and Boutte, and the team really needs an upgrade in the slot. Pop is likely to be traded.
• Edge rusher is a big need, but also the deepest and strongest position in this draft. Some good ones in free agency too.
• Tight End is a huge need. They will be upgrading either in FA or the draft possibly both. Henry is probably back but this is his final season and they need both a veteran and maybe a rookie unless Dippre shows something.
• Two guys who missed 2025, Larison at RB and Lampe at FB, could make the team. Larison has size and speed and is an ideal Kick Return option. Lampe was an elite blocker in college and could easily beat out Westover at FB, who wasn't good as a lead blocker or catching the ball. Gibson released.
• Campbell will likely stick at LT and evidently his injury really affected him. I think he will improve. Need to put a veteran next to him at LG. Wilson should compete at Center.

 

[Deepster]

ESPN - The Las Vegas Raiders leveraged the highest bidders to squeeze maximum draft capital out of the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes. ...
That Baltimore, one of the league's most draft-oriented teams, was willing to give up two firsts is a bit shocking. ...
One person involved in the trade made an interesting point about the Patriots' chances at Crosby: 'No way Tom [Brady] was sending Maxx to [Mike] Vrabel."

 

[HuskyHawk]

Really like this signing. Patriots needed an Edge that is a true DE, not just a stand up OLB speed rusher. Gives them more flexibility and the ability to be more stout in short yardage.

 

[HuskyHawk]

This is interesting. Didn't realize he was that solid, but the Bills had the #1 running game and I don't think that was because James Cook III is all that.

 

[Deepster]

With Pierce and Pittman Jr off the board and Mike Evans in SF, it looks like the top 2 FA WR's left are Romeo Doubs and Rashid Shaheed. Makes you wonder how bad the situation with Diggs got and how they're going to upgrade the WR roster from here.

 

[HuskyHawk]

With Pierce and Pittman Jr off the board and Mike Evans in SF, it looks like the top 2 FA WR's left are Romeo Doubs and Rashid Shaheed. Makes you wonder how bad the situation with Diggs got and how they're going to upgrade the WR roster from here.

Diggs is still in play to return. They just weren't paying him that amount. They aren't in on Doubs per reports. So a trade perhaps (Brian Thomas Jr.) and draft pick. Then expected improvement from Boutte and Williams. Tight End is a huge need, they do need a FA tight end and there are still some good ones.