Mike Vrabel Re-Signs Another Promising Patriots Player for 2025 Season
By Chris Schad
The New England Patriots have a bright future ahead. But to succeed under Mike Vrabel, they’re going to have to do something about the wide receiver position this offseason.
The Patriots receiver room was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2024 season. Demario Douglas tied Hunter Henry for the team lead with 66 receptions and led all receivers with 621 receiving yards but Kayshon Boutte was the only other receiver to top 500 yards while Kendrick Bourne and Ja’Lynn Polk struggled to make an impact.
Drake Maye could help make a difference after taking over the starting job in October, but he’s going to need some help. It makes the signing of a promising receiver prospect noteworthy as New England looks to upgrade its receiving corps this spring.
Patriots Re-Sign Promising WR JaQuae Jackson
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Patriots are re-signing wide receiver JaQuae Jackson. Jackson had an impressive preseason that included a 38-yard touchdown reception against the Carolina Panthers but suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season.
The #Patriots are re-signing WR JaQuae Jackson. The undrafted FA out of Rutgers impressed in camp and had a 38-yard TD in the preseason before suffering an ankle injury. The team kept him on IR rather than work out an injury settlement. Now back for 2025. pic.twitter.com/QbC09XCWgq
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 12, 2025
The Patriots decided to keep Jackson on the roster as opposed to working out an injury settlement and the team will at least give him a look in the spring as he looks to make the roster in 2025.
This is a low-risk decision by the Patriots. Jackson began his collegiate career at D-II school California (Penn.) before catching 58 passes for 744 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021 and breaking out with 77 catches for 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns to earn All-America honors in 2022. He transferred to Rutgers for his final season of eligibility in 2023, catching 22 passes for 361 yards and a touchdown in 13 games for the Scarlet Knights before signing with New England as an undrafted free agent last spring.
Jackson’s journey puts him into a world of opportunity. While New England is looking for a No. 1 receiver, the 25-year-old has little competition toward making the team. If he’s able to do that, working with Maye isn’t a bad way to boost your career and could give the Patriots an unexpected contributor next season.
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