New England is eager to get back into action after a 14-3 season and a Super Bowl trip that ended in a convincing defeat. Mike Vrabel returns for his second season, with Josh McDaniels back as offensive coordinator. Drake Maye returns at quarterback, and Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson return at running back. The Patriots return five of their top eight pass catchers from last year but will need to replace the production of the departed Stefon Diggs. Demario Douglas and tight end Hunter Henry return as starters, while A.J. Brown arrives from Philadelphia and Romeo Doubs arrives from the Packers. Brown suffered a high ankle injury in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve. Mack Hollins was also placed on injured reserve with a calf injury after leading New England with 15 receptions and 209 receiving yards entering Week 5. Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses return to the offensive line, along with Alijah Vera-Tucker, who missed the 2025 season after coming over from the Jets, and Greg Van Roten from the Giants. Onwenu suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve.

Zak Kuhr took over for Terrell Williams last year and earned the defensive coordinator title. The Patriots return seven of their top eleven tacklers from last year, but Harold Landry remains on the PUP list. The front seven returns Milton Williams, Cory Durden, Christian Barmore, Robert Spillane, and Christian Elliss, and waits for Landry to get healthy. New England added depth by acquiring Dre’Mont Jones from Baltimore and Darius Muasau from the Giants. The secondary returns Carlton Davis III, Christian Gonzalez, Craig Woodson, and Marcus Jones, while New England welcomes Kevin Byard from Chicago. Starting cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III both missed Week 5 against the Raiders due to injuries.

Jeremy Springer enters his third season as special teams coordinator. Andy Borregales returns as placekicker, while Bryce Baringer remains on injured reserve. Mitch Wishnowsky comes over from Buffalo to handle the punting duties and has been signed to the 53-man roster. Punt returner Marcus Jones is a threat after scoring twice last year, and Kyle Williams and Efton Chism will handle kick returns. New England addressed its receiving concerns in the offseason with two explosive additions, but Brown’s early injury tests that improved depth. The Patriots improved to 3-2 with a 45-17 victory over Las Vegas in Week 5, as Drake Maye threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. With Maye entering year three, New England will look to overcome its injury concerns and remain among the AFC’s top teams.