3 Patriots Preparing for their Final Season in new England

It was time for a change. The New England Patriots were heading in the wrong direction under Bill Belichick and while he's in the discussion for greatest coach of all-time, the locker room was ready for a different voice. We have yet to see if Jerod Mayo will be the change they need but we already know David Andrews credited the new coach with giving him the desire to return for another year.

Mayo will bring a new philosophy, but he still worked with Belichick as a player and coach so he understands the importance of doing all the little things right. He also knows the team needs better talent. They hope they landed that under center with Drake Maye but there's still plenty of work to do.

That's why some of the veterans set for free agency could be headed into their final year with the franchise. Here we look at three players who fall into this category.

3. Jabrill Peppers, S

A former first-round pick in 2017, Jabrill Peppers started his career with the Cleveland Browns but was traded after just two seasons. Peppers was part of the deal that sent Odell Beckham, Jr. to Cleveland and spent three years in New York.

He hit free agency in 2022 and signed a one-year deal with New England, earning a two-year extension in 2023. In two seasons, Peppers has 138 tackles, eight pass defenses, two interceptions, and a forced fumble for the Patriots. This past year, he was especially effective, earning a grade of 87.3 from PFF, which was fifth for his position.

Even with his success, Peppers will be 29 this season and the Patriots are re-tooling their roster. That's why they might not be willing to pay for a hard-hitting safety who will be 30 during the 2025 campaign.