University of Kwazulu-Natal

Patriots Could Follow 2025 Breakthrough With 100 Million In Free Agent

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
patriots could follow 2025 breakthrough with 100 million in free agent

The Patriots may have arrived at the top of the AFC a bit early here in 2025. Certainly, the hope always was that New England would rebuild after a pair of 4-13 seasons, some coaching churn from Bill Belichick to Jerod Mayo to Mike Vrabel and the development of quarterback Drake... But few expected the arrival to come in the first half of Vrabel’s first season. The Patriots certainly spent in the offseason in such a way as to indicate they are serious about getting things turned around. They shelled out more than $300 million in free-agent contract, with well over $120 million in guaranteed money. That’s a dangerous game in the NFL–free agency is the least efficient way to build a team in this league.

But the Patriots hit on multiple players, from Milton Williams and Robert Spillane, to Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins. And what’s more, they were careful with how they structured deals so that, when they arrive at next winter’s free-agent market, they will be positioned to create another $100 million in space to spend... At Spotrac, the contract-expert site, editor Mike Ginnitti gushed this week about where the Patriots are and, more important, where they are headed, especially with a spike in the NFL salary cap expected. “They have set themselves up for a little bit more free-agency, draft, extension space in 2026, and I guess that’s where I will switch my focus. …” Ginnitti said on “The Spotrac Podcast.” “The Top 51 space looks pretty darn good, there is $66 million and change to work with, that’s with 44 contracts on the books and a few... WR Stefon Diggs - Officially Signed | Press Release | Bio | Full Report | Film Review

Analysis: The Patriots added the four-time Pro Bowler to second-year QB Drake Maye's supporting cast. Last season, Diggs was on pace for his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season when he tore his ACL in late October. According to reports, there's optimism that Diggs will be ready to go for Week 1 of the upcoming regular season. Based on his pedigree and success with Bills QB Josh Allen, New England adding Diggs into the mix is an exciting move. Diggs will immediately step in as the Patriots most proven wide receiver. DT Milton Williams - Officially Signed | Full Report | Press Release | Bio

Analysis: The Patriots' decision to sign Williams comes at a crucial time. The departure of Davon Godchaux to the Saints has left a void in the interior defensive line. Additionally, Christian Barmore's battle with blood clots, which sidelined him for most of the 2024 season, casts uncertainty over his availability moving forward. Williams' versatility and proven track record make him an ideal candidate to step into this role, providing both pass-rushing prowess and run-stopping capability. Williams' addition not only fills a critical need but also brings championship experience to a defense aiming to reestablish itself among the league's elite. DE K'Lavon Chaisson - Officially Signed | Press Release | Bio

The New England Patriots have a lot to be excited about. The team just signed Mike Vrabel as the 16th head coach of the franchise. Read more: Patriots Hire Mike Vrabel as Head Coach With Multi-Year Agreement: Report Vrabel returns to the Patriots after spending the 2001 to 2008 seasons with the team as a linebacker. He would secure three Super Bowl victories during New England's dominant run under Bill Belichick. Now, Vrabel is back to lead the team.

The good news is he is also entering a great situation for a rebuild. The Patriots lead the NFL in projected cap space in 2025, coming in at around $120 million. They also own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with having a young upstart quarterback in Drake Maye. The NFL offseason ramps into high gear this week as teams can start negotiating with free agents on Monday. The 2025 league year officially begins on Wednesday, when players can sign with new teams.

The New England Patriots, under new head coach Mike Vrabel, have already been active. See an updated list of signings and trades made by the Patriots. Wide receiver Mack Hollins is headed to New England on a two-year, $8.4 million contract to reunite with his former coach and current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. With NFL free agency only a week away, New England Patriots fans are getting a glimpse at one insider's plans to revamp the team's roster. There's not much the Patriots don't need this offseason. Outside of quarterback Drake Maye and star cornerback Christian Gonzalez, any roster spot can and should be due for an upgrade.

But even so, the offensive line stands out as a weak spot. ESPN's Mike Reiss believes the Patriots will go all out to find Maye a new left tackle this spring. On Wednesday, ESPN ran a "simulated" free agency with team reporters offering hypothetical contracts to several star players around the league. Reiss offered a successful four-year, $100 million bid for Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley. "Left tackle is one of the team's top needs. Ensuring Drake Maye's blind side is protected by a capable, proven veteran would be a major first step to a productive offseason of team-building," Reiss wrote.

Welcome to The Athletic's live coverage of the 2025 free agency period. From the latest news to signings, blockbuster trades and more, The Athletic's NFL reporters have you covered. For the second time in as many years, the New England Patriots enter free agency with more cap space than anyone in the NFL and a roster badly in need of a talent boost. A year ago, though, the Pats mostly re-signed their own players — then fell flat in a second straight 4-13 campaign. Now, will new coach Mike Vrabel make good use of the team’s more than $127 million in cap space? We’ll use this page to track free agency from the Patriots’ perspective, a way to look at the moves they make (and don’t make) and provide updates as their top free-agent targets make their...

Bookmark this page and keep coming back to stay up to date on everything that happens with the Patriots in free agency. New England Patriots 2025 free agency tracker: Seeking help at WR, O-line and D-line The New England Patriots have the most cap space in the league this offseason, with more than $100 million that can be spent in NFL free agency. While a few of the top NFL free agents have come off the board, there are reportedly still several high-end Patriots free agent targets who could be signed. When the 2025 NFL offseason began, guard Trey Smith and wide receiver Tee Higgins were viewed as the top Patriots free agent targets. With nearly $130 million in cap space, New England had the financial flexibility to get into a bidding war with anyone and come out on top.

However, Higgins and Smith are receiving the franchise tag from their respective teams. Related: 2025 NFL mock draft, see who New England Patriots land While that’s a bit of a blow to New England’s initial plans, there are still quality starters available at multiple positions of need. That includes the offensive line and at wide receiver, positions that the team is also expected to prioritize early in the 2025 NFL Draft. According to Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, the Patriots’ top targets in NFL free agency are offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, cornerback Charvarius Ward, wide receiver Chris Godwin and defensive tackle... NFL Free agency kicks off Monday afternoon when the legal tampering window opens.

This means teams can start announcing free-agent deals unofficially. All deals will then become official when the new year begins on Wednesday. After another disastrous season, the Patriots have their work cut out for them in building their 2025 roster as they look to get over the hump and end the treacherous rebuild. The Patriots haven’t won a playoff game since 2019, and with a franchise quarterback under center, ownership has at least one of the pieces in place for a championship team. Now, it’s time to build around Drake Maye. The Patriots lead the league in cap space and have a surplus of resources available, including owning the fourth overall draft pick.

They have more than $130 million in cap space. This is a live, updating post to track each of the Patriots’ moves. Ben Belford-Peltzman and Andrew Guindon will contribute to this tracker. DL Milton Williams: Signed (4 years, $104M)

People Also Search

The Patriots May Have Arrived At The Top Of The

The Patriots may have arrived at the top of the AFC a bit early here in 2025. Certainly, the hope always was that New England would rebuild after a pair of 4-13 seasons, some coaching churn from Bill Belichick to Jerod Mayo to Mike Vrabel and the development of quarterback Drake... But few expected the arrival to come in the first half of Vrabel’s first season. The Patriots certainly spent in the ...

But The Patriots Hit On Multiple Players, From Milton Williams

But the Patriots hit on multiple players, from Milton Williams and Robert Spillane, to Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins. And what’s more, they were careful with how they structured deals so that, when they arrive at next winter’s free-agent market, they will be positioned to create another $100 million in space to spend... At Spotrac, the contract-expert site, editor Mike Ginnitti gushed this week ab...

Analysis: The Patriots Added The Four-time Pro Bowler To Second-year

Analysis: The Patriots added the four-time Pro Bowler to second-year QB Drake Maye's supporting cast. Last season, Diggs was on pace for his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season when he tore his ACL in late October. According to reports, there's optimism that Diggs will be ready to go for Week 1 of the upcoming regular season. Based on his pedigree and success with Bills QB Josh Allen, New Englan...

Analysis: The Patriots' Decision To Sign Williams Comes At A

Analysis: The Patriots' decision to sign Williams comes at a crucial time. The departure of Davon Godchaux to the Saints has left a void in the interior defensive line. Additionally, Christian Barmore's battle with blood clots, which sidelined him for most of the 2024 season, casts uncertainty over his availability moving forward. Williams' versatility and proven track record make him an ideal can...

The New England Patriots Have A Lot To Be Excited

The New England Patriots have a lot to be excited about. The team just signed Mike Vrabel as the 16th head coach of the franchise. Read more: Patriots Hire Mike Vrabel as Head Coach With Multi-Year Agreement: Report Vrabel returns to the Patriots after spending the 2001 to 2008 seasons with the team as a linebacker. He would secure three Super Bowl victories during New England's dominant run under...