The New England Patriots exceeded expectations by navigating a full-on rebuild that ended with an appearance in the Super Bowl. Although just an appearance wasn’t the ending they wanted, head coach Mike Vrabel laid down an organizational blueprint and made a foundation that the entire team bought into and believed in. This all happened in the first year of Vrabel’s plans, and he’s far from finished upgrading the team as he has the go-ahead to spend in free agency.
Vrabel took over a roster that lacked talent in certain areas and a general manager (Eliot Wolf) who had already made multiple large commitments to players with rich contract extensions. That said, most of those players are no longer on the team, as Vrabel and his staff cleaned the roster in the last offseason, including Jabrill Peppers, Davon Godchaux, David Andrews, Kendrick Bourne, and Kyle Dugger.
Other players that Wolf issued rich contract extensions to that are still on the team include Christian Barmore, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Rhamondre Stevenson, Mike Onwenu, and Brenden Schooler. All of whom made meaningful contributions to the Patriots' success in 2025, as Vrabel decided to retain them.
As Vrabel navigates his second offseason as head coach, he’ll have more information on his team to reevaluate the roster and put together another successful plan to improve for next season. One way to do that is by a system of checks and balances of their own books to evaluate all their options for the upcoming season.
Here is a list of players that the Patriots could make business decisions on this offseason.
1. Stefon Diggs
The Patriots can move on from Stefon Diggs and the $20.6 million due to him in 2026 with a potential out that would only cost $9,700,000 in dead cap. There’s reason to believe that New England got all they could out of Diggs on the field, as he helped quarterback Drake Maye elevate his play to the level of being MVP runner-up in 2025.
Although Diggs had a remarkable 2025 campaign coming off a torn ACL, he will be 33 years old next season. Given his age and multiple off-field incidents that caused distractions and put the organization in a challenging position at times during the season, it might be best for the Patriots and Diggs to amicably part ways while they still can.
The Patriots deadline is March 13, according Spotrac.
2. Mack Hollins
Mack Hollins turned out to be a great addition for the Patriots’ rebuilding offense. He was the tallest receiver on the roster, giving Maye a huge window to throw to on the outside. Beyond being a big target for his QB, Hollins made an impact with his own style of leadership on and off the field, which was exactly what Vrabel expected from him when he signed the veteran last summer.
Similar to Diggs, Hollins will also be 33 years old next season, and there’s a potential out in his contract for 2026 that would turn his $3.9 million salary into only $750,000 in dead cap. Although Hollins was great for the rebuild, his services in New England might be as necessary moving forward.
3. Christian Barmore
Christian Barmore is one of the longest tenured players on the team. He’s a former second-round pick and one of the only few holdover players left on the roster that Vrabel kept around from the former coaching regimes. After being a dominant player for the Patriots at the start of his career, Barmore hasn’t been the same productive player since returning from a health scare in 2024.
It’s also worth noting that Barmore has been involved in multiple concerning off-field issues. That said, the Patriots have a potential out with his contract for 2026 that would turn $31,331,574 into only $12,800,00 in dead money on the cap. It will be worth considering moving on from Barmore if there is a possibility, given the off-field situation he’s in.
The Patriots deadline is March 13, according to Spotrac.
4. Anfernee Jennings
Anfernee Jennings received a three-year, $12 million contract extension in the 2024 offseason. He’s a strong, physical player who once started for the Patriots' defense, but his role declined drastically when Vrabel was hired. There was a moment during the offseason and preseason when Jennings was on the roster bubble, but he ended up making the team.
As the season progressed, Jennings received plenty of opportunities and took full advantage, which earned him more looks in the second half of the 2025 campaign. He made plays throughout the playoffs and recorded six tackles in the Super Bowl. He’s a great football player who has value on the team.
The Patriots could move on from Jennings and the $9,509,135 remaining on his contract and turn it into only $1,000,000 in dead cap.
5. Garrett Bradbury
Garrett Bradbury is an experienced veteran center who has been a starter since he was drafted in the first round of the 2019 draft by the Minnesota Vikings. After one down year in 2024, the Vikings moved on from Bradbury after making 88 starts in 88 games over six seasons.
The Patriots signed Bradbury to a two-year, $9,500,000 free agent contract with $3,800,000 guaranteed. He’s due to make $4,750,000 in 2026, but there’s a potential out that would save New England $6,308,820 by turning it into only $1,200,000 in dead cap.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bradbury didn’t allow any sacks or commit any penalties in 1,070 offensive snaps, ranking first in the NFL last season. He’s been a great addition for New England.
6. Mike Onwenu
Last offseason, Mike Onwenu signed a three-year, $57 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman on the team and the anchor of the offensive line. He is the team's longest-tenured player, and he should start being respected as such.
Although he struggled during the regular season, Onwenu was the best offensive lineman during the playoffs. He allowed zero sacks or quarterback hits on 103 pass-block snaps, and he was only responsible for two pressures and hurries during that span as well.
Onwenu should be looked at as a cornerstone of the offensive line, but his rich contract will always be the narrative as he consumes $25 million against the Patriots’ cap. That said, there is a potential out for 2026 that would save New England $39,508,820 in the long run, turning it into $7,500,000 in dead cap.