The 2025 NFL season showed that the New England Patriots have constructed a solid foundation, but are still in the building phase.
The Patriots need to upgrade in several areas if they’re serious about hoisting the Lombardi Trophy next season, and they should focus their attention on these positions during the offseason:
OFFENSIVE LINE
Some New England fans probably had to look away when the broadcast showed left tackle Will Campbell repeatedly getting beat in Super Bowl LX. He looked like an overmatched rookie – Campbell allowed 14 pressures in the game – which is exactly what he was.
It should be noted that Campbell, who was taken with the fourth overall selection in last year’s draft, played that game with a torn ligament in his knee. He was a better player for most of the year than he was in the Super Bowl loss to Seattle. New England can also expect improvement from left guard Jared Wilson, who also experienced growing pains as a rookie last season.
That said, opponents sacked New England quarterback Drake Maye 21 times in the team’s four playoff games, including six times in the Super Bowl. He was sacked 47 times overall.
Right tackle Morgan Moses will turn 35 in March, and center Garrett Bradbury and right guard Mike Onwenu will both be free agents following the 2026 season. New England’s top priority in the draft and free agency should be to get better and deeper along the offensive line.
WIDE RECEIVER
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images At least some of New England’s sack issues in the Super Bowl can be blamed on a receiving corps that struggled to gain separation against a quality secondary.
Four receivers – Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas – had at least 400 receiving yards during the regular season. Diggs led the way with 1,013 yards, but even if he returns to New England – there are off-the-field issues and the team must decide on his $26.5 million cap hit by March 13 – the Patriots will be lacking a true No. 1 receiver.
New England needs to add an elite receiving target and could use several new faces at this position next season.
EDGE RUSHER
Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Everybody needs one or many, right? Although this area isn’t threadbare, New England ranked 26th in sacks during the regular season (35) and 20th in sack percentage (5.9 percent).
Harold Landry collected a team-high 8.5 sacks last season, but will celebrate his 30th birthday in June. K’Lavon Chaisson recorded 7.5 sacks during the regular season and three more in the playoffs, but often struggled against the run and is in line for a bigger payday as an unrestricted free agent. If the Patriots don’t pay Chaisson they’ll have to pay someone else with the hope of replacing his production.
The good news here is that New England is in great shape on the interior of its defensive line with tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.
Although there are more significant needs on offense, an elite pass rusher could bring the team’s defense to another level.
TIGHT END
Strengthening this position would likely help reduce the number of sacks New England allows as well. Austin Hooper is a free agent and Hunter Henry, while reliable, is 31. The Patriots often have two right ends on the field at the same time, so they would benefit by adding a blocking tight end or one who excels in the passing game.
