3 Patriots New England Can't Afford to Let Hit Free Agency in 2025

Shifting the focus toward 2025 after a 4-13 season, the New England Patriots have found their guy at head coach in Mike Vrabel. They have also found new offensive and defensive coordinators, Josh McDaniels and Terrell Williams.

Vrabel has brought along his own coaching staff in hopes of rejuvenating this Patriots locker room after the departure of highly criticized Jerod Mayo.

On the coaching front, the Patriots staff is mostly set in stone. In terms of the roster, it could use some work after coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history.

With a busy offseason ahead for New England, the Patriots stand with the 4th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They also have some decisions to make when it comes to re-signing upcoming free agents.

According to Over The Cap, The Patriots currently have 17 players set to become free agents at season's end. Here are three players that New England can't afford to have hit free agency when the new league year begins on March 12th.

1. Deatrich Wise Jr., DE

The longtime Patriots defensive end was one of the lone bright spots on a terrible defense last season. He played in 15 games, logging 29 total tackles and 5 sacks in 2024. He shared the team lead in sacks with the up-and-coming Keion White.

Wise Jr. was drafted in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Patriots and has stayed in Foxborough his whole career. His first career sack came in his first career game, the 2017 season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. He's always been a steady contributor on the Pats defensive front, no matter who is coming in and out of the door.

One thing to note about Wise Jr. - he is about as durable as they come. The least amount of games Wise Jr. has played in a season is 14, back in 2019. Even this past season when it seemed like the whole Patriots defense was hurt at times, Wise still appeared in 15 games and started 9 of them.

Back in early January, Wise Jr. went on WEEI's Jones and Keefe show, where he discussed his (and Jerod Mayo's) future, as his answer leaves questions in the air about whether he will re-sign with the team, knowing that Mayo is out and Vrabel is in.

"If I'm back, I'll be happy. I would love to play for Patriots Nation. If not, I'll address that later... If he's back, I would love to play for Jerod Mayo.""

- Deatrich Wise Jr.

Wise Jr. said this just days before the Week 18 matchup vs. Buffalo. Could the hire of Mike Vrabel convince Wise Jr. to re-sign? It's possible. It's also possible that the sudden firing of Mayo displeased Wise Jr., as he could look to sign elsewhere in March.

In May 2021, Wise Jr. re-signed with the Patriots on a four-year, $22 million deal. His production increased in every season that has gone by since. Wise's best year was in 2022, where he recorded 7.5 sacks and 59 total tackles.

As he approaches his age-31 season, Wise Jr. is still a valuable asset to this Patriots team through his durability, leadership, and mentorship toward young Pats defenders.

More likely than not, Mike Vrabel and the front office will be parting ways with most of the upcoming Patriots free agents. Deatrich Wise Jr. shouldn't be one of them, and the Patriots should do all they can to bring the Suffolk, Virginia native back.