Patriots 2025-26 Offseason Discussion

[A Future of Stevens]

I have a Hunch that the Vrabel hiring means we are going to invest the 4th pick in the backbone of our team. I'm thinking either Abdul Carter or offensive lineman.

If he's gonna go OL route, at least trade down a few slots and pick up some asset while doing it.  No need to take an OL at 4.

I agree, but I wouldn't be shocked if they just take whichever OL they like the most at 4. I would love a trade down to that 7-9 range and take an OL. I just don't know if many teams will be interested in moving up. This draft is pretty meh.

[Neurotic Guy]

I have a Hunch that the Vrabel hiring means we are going to invest the 4th pick in the backbone of our team. I'm thinking either Abdul Carter or offensive lineman.

If he's gonna go OL route, at least trade down a few slots and pick up some asset while doing it.  No need to take an OL at 4.

I agree, but I wouldn't be shocked if they just take whichever OL they like the most at 4. I would love a trade down to that 7-9 range and take an OL. I just don't know if many teams will be interested in moving up. This draft is pretty meh.

Carter and Hunter are prized possessions so I hear.  One will be available at 4.  I would think a trade up that includes a 4th round pick (something like that) would be possible. How fun would it be right now if they had number one and there?d be all sorts of trade speculation.  Still can?t believe they didn?t throw the game.

[keevsnick]

I'd pretty strongly consider Tetairoa McMillan at #4. The wide receiver free agency market isn't really that strong, imo. Tee Higgins at 26 years old would be the one guys they should absolutely go hard after, but everyone else is older 30+ guys either coming off injuries or coming off somewhat disappointing seasons.

Unless you think one of the OT's are shut down tackles for the next decade I think a 6'5 guy with good positional fundamentals is a nice option for a young quarterback to have.

[johnnygreen]

It will get interesting if one of the top two QB's (Sanders or Ward) are still available at 4. What kind of trade package can the get.

[SparzWizard]

I have a Hunch that the Vrabel hiring means we are going to invest the 4th pick in the backbone of our team. I'm thinking either Abdul Carter or offensive lineman.

If he's gonna go OL route, at least trade down a few slots and pick up some asset while doing it.  No need to take an OL at 4.

I agree, but I wouldn't be shocked if they just take whichever OL they like the most at 4. I would love a trade down to that 7-9 range and take an OL. I just don't know if many teams will be interested in moving up. This draft is pretty meh.

Carter and Hunter are prized possessions so I hear.  One will be available at 4.  I would think a trade up that includes a 4th round pick (something like that) would be possible. How fun would it be right now if they had number one and there?d be all sorts of trade speculation.  Still can?t believe they didn?t throw the game.

Two teams will be stupid and draft both between 1-3 despite a need at QB. My guess- Cleveland and Giants, whom are known perennial losers for most their lives

Just cuz they're the best choice in the draft. Maybe they'll flip them for a core player or two.

[SparzWizard]

Feels like the Patriots offseason is more exciting than the Celtics' regular season right now despite having a death lineup 5 lol.

Despite Jerod Mayo blowing the #1 pick away. Tooooo dramatic.

At least baseball season is around the corner.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Feels like the Patriots offseason is more exciting than the Celtics' regular season right now despite having a death lineup 5 lol.

Despite Jerod Mayo blowing the #1 pick away. Tooooo dramatic.

At least baseball season is around the corner.

Definitely more excitement around the Pats than the Cs at this moment, but the Cs have far more promise over the next 2-3 years than the Pats do.

As for baseball, I'm not expecting the Sox to be much, if at all, better than they were last season. The fate of the rotation is hinging on a bunch of best-case scenarios happening, and the offense needs at least one more big bat (probably two).

[Cman]

Pats will need to overpay for free agents, given how bad a team they've been the last few years, but thats okay, they have the money for it. Pats have needs all over the roster, and the draft and FA class is sorta weak overall, from what I can see.

-I think the CB and S FA class is decent, so start there and overpay for a couple of those. CB is actually a position of need for the Cs.

-I'd be fine with making Tee Higgens the highest paid WR -- he doesn't deserve it, but that's what it would take. I would still take a WR in the draft with the #4 pick. Also fine with Carter, which people talk a lot about.

-I know we need OL, and especially LT, but the LT is FA and draft are weak. I'd be selective, maybe reach a bit with the 2nd round pick.

-Would love that fiesty RB from Arizona with one of our 3rd round picks. Brings moxie to the locker room, and should light a fire under Rhamondre.

-

[Goldstar88]

Pats will need to overpay for free agents, given how bad a team they've been the last few years, but thats okay, they have the money for it. Pats have needs all over the roster, and the draft and FA class is sorta weak overall, from what I can see.

-I think the CB and S FA class is decent, so start there and overpay for a couple of those. CB is actually a position of need for the Cs.

-I'd be fine with making Tee Higgens the highest paid WR -- he doesn't deserve it, but that's what it would take. I would still take a WR in the draft with the #4 pick. Also fine with Carter, which people talk a lot about.

-I know we need OL, and especially LT, but the LT is FA and draft are weak. I'd be selective, maybe reach a bit with the 2nd round pick.

-Would love that fiesty RB from Arizona with one of our 3rd round picks. Brings moxie to the locker room, and should light a fire under Rhamondre.

-

When is the last time the Pats overpaid for a player? Doesn?t seem to be part of their business plan.

[Cman]

I can't tell if you are kidding or not...

Nelson Aghoular?
Jonnu Smith?

 

[Goldstar88]

I can't tell if you are kidding or not...

Nelson Aghoular?
Jonnu Smith?

 

Agholor and Smith didn?t work out, but they were only making like $10-12M/year if I recall. With that logic, any player that is signed and doesn?t work out is an overpay. Im talking about signing a top player, say a stud WR for $30M+/year with a ton of guaranteed money. That?s what they?d have to do In order to get a a Tee Higgins. So when is the last time Kraft has spent like that on a player? 

[Phantom255x]

I can't tell if you are kidding or not...

Nelson Aghoular?
Jonnu Smith?

 

Agholor and Smith didn?t work out, but they were only making like $10-12M/year if I recall. With that logic, any player that is signed and doesn?t work out is an overpay. Im talking about signing a top player, say a stud WR for $30M+/year with a ton of guaranteed money. That?s what they?d have to do In order to get a a Tee Higgins. So when is the last time Kraft has spent like that on a player? 

They haven't. Off the top of my head, I think the highest contracts the Krafts have handed out in terms of total money are Barmore just last offseason (92M), Gilmore (70M) and Bledsoe around 100M at the time.

On a side note, it really goes to show how much Brady probably helped the team and Krafts by taking discounts. Even with the salary cap being much lower in the past it's shocking he never really had "record breaking" numbers on his contracts during those years. And ironically when Brady finally asked for more (around 2/60M+) they let him go to Tampa who paid that easily.

But if they want the likes of Higgins, they better pay up now. They can't hide behind Brady and Belichick anymore. They claim to have tried signing Ridley and Aiyuk to big contracts last offseason but failed to do so. If they have another "dud" of an offseason Pats fans will be ALL over them, and rightfully so.

[Goldstar88]

I can't tell if you are kidding or not...

Nelson Aghoular?
Jonnu Smith?

 

Agholor and Smith didn?t work out, but they were only making like $10-12M/year if I recall. With that logic, any player that is signed and doesn?t work out is an overpay. Im talking about signing a top player, say a stud WR for $30M+/year with a ton of guaranteed money. That?s what they?d have to do In order to get a a Tee Higgins. So when is the last time Kraft has spent like that on a player? 

They haven't. Off the top of my head, I think the highest contracts the Krafts have handed out in terms of total money are Barmore just last offseason (92M), Gilmore (70M) and Bledsoe around 100M at the time.

On a side note, it really goes to show how much Brady probably helped the team and Krafts by taking discounts. Even with the salary cap being much lower in the past it's shocking he never really had "record breaking" numbers on his contracts during those years. And ironically when Brady finally asked for more (around 2/60M+) they let him go to Tampa who paid that easily.

But if they want the likes of Higgins, they better pay up now. They can't hide behind Brady and Belichick anymore. They claim to have tried signing Ridley and Aiyuk to big contracts last offseason but failed to do so. If they have another "dud" of an offseason Pats fans will be ALL over them, and rightfully so.

Spot on, Phantom. Couldn?t have said it better.

[Phantom255x]

I can't tell if you are kidding or not...

Nelson Aghoular?
Jonnu Smith?

 

Agholor and Smith didn?t work out, but they were only making like $10-12M/year if I recall. With that logic, any player that is signed and doesn?t work out is an overpay. Im talking about signing a top player, say a stud WR for $30M+/year with a ton of guaranteed money. That?s what they?d have to do In order to get a a Tee Higgins. So when is the last time Kraft has spent like that on a player? 

They haven't. Off the top of my head, I think the highest contracts the Krafts have handed out in terms of total money are Barmore just last offseason (92M), Gilmore (70M) and Bledsoe around 100M at the time.

On a side note, it really goes to show how much Brady probably helped the team and Krafts by taking discounts. Even with the salary cap being much lower in the past it's shocking he never really had "record breaking" numbers on his contracts during those years. And ironically when Brady finally asked for more (around 2/60M+) they let him go to Tampa who paid that easily.

But if they want the likes of Higgins, they better pay up now. They can't hide behind Brady and Belichick anymore. They claim to have tried signing Ridley and Aiyuk to big contracts last offseason but failed to do so. If they have another "dud" of an offseason Pats fans will be ALL over them, and rightfully so.

Spot on, Phantom. Couldn?t have said it better.

Thanks. I will say to @Cman's point, they did go berserk in 2021 FA with the spending. Judon, Jonnu, Henry, Bourne, Agholor, etc. It was nice to see. And btw, they made the postseason that year at 10-7. Talent matters. They won't be a SB contender immediately in 2025 but if you add some talent and keep building around Maye they can get back there around 2026. Got to spend, even if it means overpaying a bit. Some of these elite teams have some massive contracts on the roster, it's not hurting them though and they are still playing right now.

[Goldstar88]

I can't tell if you are kidding or not...

Nelson Aghoular?
Jonnu Smith?

 

Agholor and Smith didn?t work out, but they were only making like $10-12M/year if I recall. With that logic, any player that is signed and doesn?t work out is an overpay. Im talking about signing a top player, say a stud WR for $30M+/year with a ton of guaranteed money. That?s what they?d have to do In order to get a a Tee Higgins. So when is the last time Kraft has spent like that on a player? 

They haven't. Off the top of my head, I think the highest contracts the Krafts have handed out in terms of total money are Barmore just last offseason (92M), Gilmore (70M) and Bledsoe around 100M at the time.

On a side note, it really goes to show how much Brady probably helped the team and Krafts by taking discounts. Even with the salary cap being much lower in the past it's shocking he never really had "record breaking" numbers on his contracts during those years. And ironically when Brady finally asked for more (around 2/60M+) they let him go to Tampa who paid that easily.

But if they want the likes of Higgins, they better pay up now. They can't hide behind Brady and Belichick anymore. They claim to have tried signing Ridley and Aiyuk to big contracts last offseason but failed to do so. If they have another "dud" of an offseason Pats fans will be ALL over them, and rightfully so.

Spot on, Phantom. Couldn?t have said it better.

Thanks. I will say to @Cman's point, they did go berserk in 2021 FA with the spending. Judon, Jonnu, Henry, Bourne, Agholor, etc. It was nice to see. And btw, they made the postseason that year at 10-7. Talent matters. They won't be a SB contender immediately in 2025 but if you add some talent and keep building around Maye they can get back there around 2026. Got to spend, even if it means overpaying a bit. Some of these elite teams have some massive contracts on the roster, it's not hurting them though and they are still playing right now.

They spent money on a bunch of players that Spring, but didn?t really overpay for anyone. Smith and Agholor had good seasons before they came to NE(And after  ) Judon signed for 4 years $54M and Hunter Henry was 3 years $37M. Those two were good deals. 

Kenny Galladay was the best WR to hit the market that offseason and the Giants signed him to a 4 year $72M contract. That was an overpay. Patriots don?t do that. That?s why I don?t see them getting Higgins.