The Patriots need to quickly turn the page from their loss in Super Bowl LX as New England attempts to play catch-up on the offseason that started weeks ago for most of the NFL.

While head coach Mike Vrabel and the coaching staff prepared for playoff games, EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf and VP of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden were on the scouting trail. The Pats top execs were in attendance at the college All-Star games, flying from Denver to Mobile following the AFC Championship Game to attend the Senior Bowl. So, as one would expect, there were folks in the organization who already had their eye on the 2026 offseason while the team was prepping for the Super Bowl.

That being said, Vrabel and other key decision-makers are a bit behind, a tradeoff you'll take in favor of a deep playoff run. After returning to Foxborough following Super Bowl LX, the Patriots are in a two-week sprint to prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine. Although the AFC Champions' roster is mostly intact, there's still work to do to build on a successful 2025.

After overhauling the roster last offseason, the Patriots only have six players who will be unrestricted free agents at the start of the new league year (March 11). New England also has a few contributors who are restricted free agents, such as LB Jack Gibbens. With 63 players signed for 2026, most of the roster that made the Super Bowl is under contract for next season. The Patriots 2023 draft class, which includes Pro Bowl CB Christian Gonzalez, WR Kayshon Boutte, and WR DeMario Douglas, is also extension eligible.

Before they can turn the page to external additions, New England must first decide its course of action for its own free agents. Here is a rundown of the Patriots key free agents and some initial thoughts on who New England should prioritize re-signing this offseason.

EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson, Age: 26.5

After joining the Patriots on a one-year deal last offseason, Chaisson had a breakout season with a career-high 54 pressures and 7.5 sacks in 16 games (67.2% snap rate). The former first-rounder then put together an excellent playoff run, tying for the most pressures among edge defenders in the postseason (20). Along with leading the team in pressures with 74, including playoffs, Chaisson was also above-average in time to pressure (2.87s) and logged 18 "quick" pressures, which are pressures in under 2.5 seconds, per NGS.

The 26-year-old's upfield playing style seamlessly fit into the Patriots defensive front, working either in a two or three-point stance from wide alignments. Chaisson mostly rushed as a wide-nine (86%) and was effective coming off the blindside on 85.3% of his rushes. Although his edge-setting vs. the run was streaky, his long strides and a series of swipes, rips, and chops make him effective at cornering the edges, wrapping on stunt schemes, and getting backfield penetration vs. the run to beat blockers to their landmarks. Overall, Chaisson was effective in the Patriots attack-minded defense.

Chaisson's market will come down to a few primary factors. There's a chance that he gets lucrative offers, like the Patriots gave standout DT Milton Williams following his playoff run with Philly. How robust his market is will depend on how well his play style fits and on how teams assess his one year of high-level production. Defenses that prioritize sturdy edge setters might not view Chaisson as a scheme fit. New England will probably be in the market for at least one starting-caliber edge rusher and allowing Chaisson to walk would create another hole. Therefore, it would make sense to prioritize re-signing Chaisson as a productive player who fits the culture and scheme, while realizing his potential as a former first-round pick in New England.

S Jaylinn Hawkins, Age: 28.4

Hawkins emerged as a full-time starter alongside rookie S Craig Woodson last season. He played 82.2% of the defensive snaps in the regular season and played all but one snap in the playoffs. Hawkins also led the team with four interceptions, logged 1.5 sacks and 11 total pressures as an effective blitzer, and recorded five run stuffs. After bouncing around as a part-time player in his first five seasons, Hawkins graded out as an above-average starter in 2025 (15th among safeties in Pro Football Focus grade - 74.9 overall).

Although he has some versatility in blitz schemes and occasional box snaps, Hawkins' average depth at the snap of 11.2 yards was the highest on the team, speaking to him playing primarily in the deep part of the field. New England upped its usage of quarters coverages and cover-two schemes, playing 42% of their coverage snaps in split-safety structures, its highest rate since at least 2018. Hawkins is most comfortable matching routes and providing help as a deep safety, rather than covering tight ends or slot receivers in man-to-man. He was also comfortable in post-snap rotation as an interchangeable piece with Woodson.

Hawkins should have a decent-sized market, given the number of teams shifting to more quarter-based coverage systems. There will also be some who feel as though the Patriots can upgrade at safety this offseason. Still, getting back to having continuity, with the same group of guys bank reps together like the days of Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, and Duron Harmon, could allow this secondary to be even more dominant next season. With Woodson's strong postseason hopefully leading to a year-two leap, Hawkins is a solid wingman who was functional within the scheme for the 5th-ranked defense in pass EPA last season.

NT Khyiris Tonga, Age: 29.6

Tonga became a fan favorite as one of the Patriots best under-the-radar additions in free agency last offseason. The big nose tackle played mostly shaded in the A-Gaps, with 68.9% of his snaps coming as a one-technique in odd fronts. The five-year veteran also logged some snaps as a three-technique in four-man fronts. Tonga's ability to reset the line of scrimmage and his playing strength to stop the run led to 15 run stuffs. However, his quickness into the line of scrimmage and pass-rush productivity (17 pressures) was a pleasant surprise.

The 29-year-old also had a small role on offense as a short-yardage blocker and his contributions in all three phases made him a likable player. Ultimately, injuries to his ribs and foot might've prevented Tonga from expanding his role. Although he played about the same snap rate on defense in the playoffs as in the regular season, it felt like his role could've grown if Tonga were fully healthy. He's also a situational player, as is the case with all nose tackles, which limits his market. Still, bringing Tonga back as a space-eater in run situations makes sense. His skill set is unique compared to the other DTs on the roster.

LB Jack Gibbens (RFA), Age: 27.2

Gibbens primarily served as a top backup to starting MIKE linebacker Robert Spillane, a weakside option in run situations, and a core special-teamer. Gibbens played 48.2% of the defensive snaps and appeared on five different special teams units throughout the season. He started eight games in 2025, filling in for Spillane when the Pats captain was out with an ankle injury late in the regular season. He tied for the team lead with 23 run stops and flashed good instincts playing underneath zones in coverage.

The veteran has good size and length to take on blocks, while possessing enough athleticism and feel to make plays near the line of scrimmage in coverage. However, some stiffness in his movements prevents him from being a dynamic coverage player and he'll occasionally get stuck on blocks or be a beat late in diagnosing the run. Still, when he was spot-starting for Spillane, Gibbens was productive, tallying 29 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and two passes defensed in four starts from Weeks 15-18. Gibbens' status as a restricted free agent gives the Patriots control over his future. Gibbens was valuable depth at linebacker and a core special-teamer, while also having familiarity with Vrabel – he's one of their guys.

TE Austin Hooper, Age: 31.2

Over the last two seasons, Hooper has been the Patriots primary backup tight end to starter Hunter Henry. Along with Henry, the 31-year-old has also been a trusted target and quiet leader for the young players on offense. That being said, Hooper's production dipped this year compared to his first season in New England because the Pats featured fewer two-tight-end sets. Hooper had 21 catches for 263 yards after posting 45 catches for 476 yards in Maye's rookie season. The main reason that Hooper's target share decreased was that the Patriots only played 19.3% of their offensive snaps in 12-personnel (2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB). In 2024, they played out of 12p on 31.4% of their offensive plays.

The decrease was due to the Patriots struggles to run the ball. The Pats ranked 29th in rush EPA out of 12p, so opponents didn't have to match their heavy personnel groupings with base defense, eliminating some matchup advantages in the passing game with linebackers on tight ends. Therefore, it made more sense to base the offense out of three-receiver or even jumbo packages (6 OL). For the Patriots, the conversation about bringing back their tight end duo starts with age, as both Hooper and Henry are over 31. So, there's a possibility they might want to get younger at tight end.

OT Vederian Lowe, Age: 26.8

Following an uneven 2024 season, Lowe was a functional spot-starter when he filled in at left tackle for rookie Will Campbell (Weeks 13-17). New England was 3-1 in Lowe's starts and Maye was under pressure on 39.2% of his drop-backs (37.7% pressure rate in Campbell's starts). New England also ranked third in rush EPA during Lowe's four-game stretch (+0.10), so Lowe did some good things when called upon last season.

Individually, Lowe's pass-blocking efficiency was nearly identical last season (95.2) as it was in 2024 (95.9). However, he cut down significantly on penalties, being called for only one in his four starts after being called for 13 as a full-time starter in 2024. Although he proved to be a capable spot-starter at left tackle, Lowe has struggled when he moves to the right side, which makes him tougher to roster. Lowe could return as a top backup to Campbell, but the Patriots might look for more versatility in the form of a true swing tackle.

OT Thayer Munford Jr., Age: 26.3

After initially signing to the Patriots practice squad in August, Munford had a short stint in Cleveland before New England signed him off the Browns practice squad in late November. Munford then carved out a role as the Patriots sixth offensive lineman in their jumbo packages, playing 95 snaps as the jumbo tight end. New England ranked fifth in EPA per play out of their jumbo packages, producing 11 explosive plays, including five explosives in the postseason. Munford was a bit inconsistent as a run blocker. Still, his familiarity with the jumbo tight end role and OC Josh McDaniels (drafted by McDaniels in Vegas) makes a return possible.

Other Restricted Free Agents: QB Tommy DeVito, CB Alex Austin, T/G Yasir Durant, DL Jaquelin Roy

Exclusive Rights Free Agents: FB Jack Westover, RB Deneric Prince, DL Isaiah Iton

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer