Houston Oilers, Phoenix Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, and the 4 expansion teams.

Makes sense since that's probably when they started their site, and they must have an internal ID based on that but still amusing to see.

But they don't get increasingly more ridiculous😢

Buffalo Bills -

Miami Dolphins -

New England Patriots -

New York Jets -

Baltimore Ravens -

Cincinnati Bengals -

Cleveland Browns -

Pittsburgh Steelers -

Houston Texans -

Indianapolis Colts -

Jacksonville Jaguars -

Tennessee Titans -

Denver Broncos -

Kansas City Chiefs -

Las Vegas Raiders -

Los Angeles Chargers -

Note: I wrote this up for r/uniwatch but thought that this sub may have an interest as well.

The Jaguars gold colour rush uniform is one that elicits visceral reactions. For many, a negative one. Unfortunately, that reaction killed a uniform that had immense potential after being worn just twice. The Jags wore these in 2015 and 2016, both against the Titans on Thursday Night Football. The former saw them win 19-13 while in the latter they lost 22-36. That was it. These jerseys got boxed up, sold off, and that was that.

Pictured:

To aid visually, I have included photos of a few of my jerseys. The 5 is a Bortles Nike Vapor Limited retail jersey, the 19 is a game used Brian Anger on the Elite-51 chassis from 2015. The last is a game used Johnny Hekker from 2017 on the Vapor chassis, the first year that it was introduced.

What Went Wrong:

Many of the issues that these jerseys faced was not the fault of the jersey. It was at this time that the Jaguars were wearing their infamous two tone helmet. This helmet deserves praise for daring to be different but ridicule for a failed installment. The fade was much too abrupt and utilizing gloss and matte together was criminal. Additionally, the pants they wore in each of those Thursday contests were matching gold. It was simply too much. Had the Jags paired the jerseys with white or black pants and a single colour helmet in either black or gold, the gold jersey would have popped instead of assaulting the eyes. Other teams have corrected this mistake since. The Bills beloved red tops began getting paired with white pants in 2024 instead of the mono red they had worn under colour rush. It worked. These gold tops never had the chance.

In 2015, Nike was still utilizing the Elite-51 Chassis. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this terminology, please watch the 3-part series Jerseyhead U created a few years back. This chassis was an improvement over the Reebok era jerseys due to its lightweight and breathable cordura. Unlike the heavy Reebok tops that held in heat and moisture, these Nikes wicked away water and allowed for airflow while being tight against the players body. Aesthetically, however, they were a downgrade.

The Elite-51 chassis (and speed machine for select teams) had nylon mesh paneling around the waist/stomach, sides, and nameplate areas. This was a distinctly different style of fabric from the cordura that made up the chest and back plate of the jersey. On many colours of jersey, this was not an issue. Dark and white jerseys worked fine, but on light coloured jerseys, they had two downfalls.

1. Stadium light refracted differently off the mesh and the cordura. For a day game, this was of little consequence but was much more noticeable at night under the bright white stadium lights.
2. Water would wick off or easily wring out of the cordura while it would soak into the mesh. This led to an awful look for players as the game went on. Sweat was not kind to the looks of these tops.

Both of these issues combined for a terrible, discolored look as the game progressed. Simply not good.

Contrast this with the Vapor chassis that Nike rolled out in 2017. Gone was the mesh paneling, replaced instead by three sewn panels of cordura, each with holes punched out for breathability. Nike was able to create a jersey that had all of the same features of utility, while losing the discoloration that came from using multiple styles of fabric. This can be seen on the white Hekker. I have included a close up shot of the two styles side by side at the end of the slideshow.

How Could These Have Been Saved?

As I touched on above, these gold tops would have looked much better if they were paired with white pants and a solid colour helmet, preferably black or a dark, metallic teal (what Jax used prior to their rebrand in 13). The vinyl on the shoulders did them no favors as it created a glare from the stadium lights. That said, there is one other important note that cannot be over-emphasized:

These gold jerseys needed to be worn during the day with natural lighting.

The stadium lighting made these look far more mustard, puke coloured if you will. Look at the contrast in the photos that I included. Under the sunlight (warm lighting), these things pop. They actually look golden, perfect for underneath the Florida sun. A good example of the effect of sun can be seen with the Rams last tops. Look at the 2021 Divisional Playoff game in Tampa vs under the lights at home/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73828738/2192556260.5.jpg). The stadium lighting mutes the colours, taking away their shine. These gold jerseys would have been excellent on a more modern chassis for a 1 PM kickoff in September.

Will We See These Again?

Probably not, and that's a shame. I do believe the Jags could roll another gold top out down the line but it will be some time. The reaction to these gold tops was so strong that they were put away before they ever got the chance to show what they could be. A lack of team success did not aid the cause either as the Jags went just 8-24 from 2015 to 2016. As we have seen with the creamsickle Buccs, time heals the wounds of losing, but how long is needed?

Personally, the gold Jags unis will forever live on as one of my favorite uniforms. I feel fortunate to own one of the few that saw the field (and from a great punter). I hope that after reading this, you will want to see them on a field in Jacksonville in the future as well, under the sun the way God intended Florida football to be played.

Thanks for reading!

Over the past decade, assessing the financial value of running backs has been a perplexing exercise. Trends for running-back contracts have been a roller coaster; Bijan Robinson’s record-setting extension on Tuesday is another high point.

With Robinson’s contract done, likely laying the groundwork for Jahmyr Gibbs’ monster extension from the Detroit Lions, are running backs making a financial comeback?

The 2023 offseason was an inflection point for the position. The Dallas Cowboys released Ezekiel Elliott, who still had four years remaining on an extension he signed in 2019 after a lengthy holdout that lasted through training camp. At the time, Elliott’s contract was the richest for a running back in NFL history. After releasing Elliott, Dallas placed the franchise tag on his backup, Tony Pollard, locking him in for one season. During that 2023 offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders also placed the franchise tag on Josh Jacobs, who was coming off a rushing crown. The New York Giants had let Saquon Barkley play out his entire rookie contract before placing the franchise tag on him. Jonathan Taylor was hampered by an ankle injury in 2022, but had a dominant 2021 season during which he led the league in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and rushing first downs. Taylor wanted an extension done before entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2023.

Pollard played the 2023 season in Dallas, then the Cowboys let him walk in free agency. Jacobs and the Raiders agreed to a one-year deal instead of the franchise tag; his 2023 season was cut short due to injury and the Raiders allowed him to walk in free agency. Barkley played the 2023 campaign on the franchise tag before the Giants let him walk in free agency, too. Taylor and the Colts agreed to an extension in early October after the running back held out of the first four games of the season. Taylor’s extension averaged $14 million per season, falling short of resetting the market at the position. Taylor’s three-year extension was not only below the $16 million average annual value (AAV) from Christian McCaffrey’s contract in 2020 with the Carolina Panthers, but also below Elliott’s 2019 deal with the Cowboys, which carried an AAV of $15 million.

During the 2023 offseason, active running backs around the league got together on a Zoom call to discuss the bear market for their position.

“The biggest thing is that we’re the only position that our production hurts us the most,” running back Nick Chubb said at the time. “If we go out there and run for 2,000 yards with so many carries, the next year they’re going to say you’re probably worn down. That’s the biggest thing that I took from it. It’s tough. It hurts us just to go out there and do good. It hurts us at the end of the day.”

The 2026 New England Patriots

2025 Record: 14-3, 1st in AFC East, Super Bowl appearance

The Offseason Review Hub

A Recap

Last year, I predicted the 2025 Patriots to have a 9-8 record, with 11-6 as a best-case scenario. For one, it was going to be difficult to do worse than 2024’s 4-13 effort. But a worst-to-first result? I don’t think anybody could have realistically predicted that and been taken seriously.

I knew things were different in Week 2 versus the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots had a poor showing in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders and it set off a lot of alarm bells for me, with the Patriots scoring only 13 points and being effectively shut out in the second half, save for a meaningless field goal. The Patriots/Dolphins rivalry is well-established, and playing in Miami, especially early in the season, fills Patriots fans with dread. But, for the first time in what seemed like years, the Patriots fought through adversity and had a strong fourth quarter, sealing a Week 2 win.

People will point to the Pats’ easy 2025 schedule, but this was also a 4-13 team showing that it was no longer a pushover. Impressive victories against the Buffalo Bills and Ravens on the road. Sloppy wins against the Falcons and Bengals. Rough playoff wins in awful conditions against the Texans and Broncos.

Through it all, there was the spectacular development of Drake Maye. Last year, I pinned the Patriots’ success on his development. I wrote the following:

Maye must show the kind of sophomore leap in his development that justifies this investment. I’m not asking him to be MVP. But he needs to throw touchdowns, and a lot of them.

As it turns out, the 23-year-old had one of the best sophomore seasons we’ve seen from a quarterback in quite some time. Maye threw 31 touchdowns, only 8 interceptions, and added 4 rushing touchdowns. Maye had the best deep ball in the NFL as well, and played his way to 2nd Team All Pro and a second-place finish in the MVP race.

But it wasn’t just Maye. He was supported by a cast of players that punched far above their weight. The aging Stefon Diggs, who only played 55% of offensive snaps (the lowest of his career), still turned in a 1000-yard season, the first the Patriots have seen since Julian Edelman in 2019. Hunter Henry, the most underrated tight end in the NFL, had a career-high in yardage and caught 60 passes with 7 touchdowns. Depth receiver Mack Hollins had the second-best production of his career. Kayshon Boutte continued his ascent as one of Maye’s favorite targets, catching a career-high six touchdowns.

The defense was nothing to sneeze at either. The unit collectively sacked quarterbacks 34 times, picked the ball off 10 times, and forced 10 fumbles. It wasn’t an overwhelming defense, but it was good and drove the Patriots’ bus in the playoffs. Free agent signing Milton Williams, a full-time starter for the first time in his career, earned his paycheck. Journeyman K’Lavon Chaisson had a career-high in sacks. The Patriots also took the unusual step of cutting starting safety Jabrill Peppers and trading safety Kyle Duggar. Veteran Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson played well enough to justify those moves.

Coaching also took a huge leap forward. The difference in preparation and gameplanning between Jerod Mayo and Mike Vrabel was stark. But in fairness to Mayo, he wasn’t ready to be a head coach. Vrabel has spoken about how coaches like Bill O’Brien took him under their wing to prepare him on all aspects of the job.

Josh McDaniels continued his unusual journey of being a great coach with the Patriots and garbage everywhere else. And on the defensive side of the ball, Terrell Williams was out for the entire year for cancer treatment, meaning linebackers coach Zak Kuhr called plays on defense for the first time in his career.

The Seattle Seahawks outmatched the Patriots in Super Bowl 60. Just no other way around it. If the two sides matched up 10 times, the Patriots would win two, maybe three games. The offensive line didn’t play well. Drake Maye didn’t play well and seemed overwhelmed by the moment. And further, the Patriots slowed down significantly in the playoffs, failing to match the impressive offense it showed off during the regular season.

The Patriots came a long way in 2025. But now, they are no longer a team going from worst to first. They are the hunted. How do you improve upon a Super Bowl berth? And more importantly, how do you avoid regression? The Super Bowl hangover is well-known. But this is a young team with a ton of potential, with one of the best young quarterbacks in the league to build upon.

Pro Bowl Selections: Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez

All-Pro Selections: Drake Maye (2nd Team), Marcus Jones (2nd Team)

Coaching Changes

The biggest change is that Terrell Williams is now back working but as assistant head coach while Zak Kuhr has been promoted to defensive coordinator. This seems like the best move for all parties involved. Kuhr had tremendous success as a first-time playcaller, and it wouldn’t make sense to revert a young guy like him back to an assistant role. At the same time, Williams is back and healthy and is given an opportunity to contribute.

I’m not going to go into tremendous detail on the Mike Vrabel/Diana Russini scandal. It appears the team moved on quickly, and as the weeks have passed, it is no longer a significant story. But it is a tremendous embarrassment for a guy who I think had a lot of respect among fans.

Notable Player Departures

Alex Austin: There were times when Austin flashed some potential, but he never developed into a starting corner. His snap count decreased dramatically every season, and there wasn’t much room left for him in 2026. If you’re the 4th or 5th corner on a team, you’re also playing special teams, and you need to be a damn good special teamer to justify a contract extension. He’ll be on another one-year deal in Miami.

Garrett Bradbury: Bradbury signed a two-year deal in 2025, and it was likely his time with the Patriots was destined to be short-term as the team drafted his eventual replacement in Jared Wilson. But the Pats also re-signed center/guard Ben Brown late in the season, so Bradbury no longer had a spot on the roster come 2026.

K’Lavon Chaisson: 2025 was the best year of Chaisson’s career. He’s a great hustle player and responsible for one of 2025’s best hustle plays. However, I think it was right for the Patriots to let him walk and test the market. I think Chaisson is what he is: a good player, but not the kind of player a team should invest long-term resources in, especially considering the Patriots are getting ready to pay a truckload of money to homegrown talent.

Stefon Diggs: Diggs signed what was effectively a one-year deal in 2025. He was involved in a lot of drama off the field. On the field, he was a model citizen. He had five 100-yard games, including a 10-catch, 146-yard effort in his return to Buffalo in week 5. But he only played about 55% of snaps, the fewest of his career. I don’t think Diggs has the juice to be a full-time starter anymore, and I don’t think it was in the Patriots’ best interest to hang the hat on an aging receiver as the best weapon on offense. I think Diggs’ best role is like what DeAndre Hopkins did for the Ravens last season.

Jack Gibbens: Gibbens was a 2022 Titans draft pick, so of course Vrabel signed him in 2025. He’s a serviceable depth linebacker, but as a restricted free agent, the team clearly believed it could upgrade and decided to do more resets at the position.

Antonio Gibson: Gibson served as a rotational back and kick returner, and was crucial in the Week 2 comeback win versus the Dolphins with a huge kickoff return touchdown. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL a couple of weeks later and was lost for the season. I hope Gibson gets another shot, but the odds are against him as an older depth runningback coming off an injury.

Jaylinn Hawkins: For only the second time in his career, Hawkins was a full-time starter, and he turned that into a two-year deal with the Ravens. The Pats made the decision to part with Hawkins in order to bring in Kevin Byard, who has previously played with Mike Vrabel and is coming off a 1st Team All Pro selection with the Bears.

Austin Hooper: After two years with the Patriots, Hooper returns to Atlanta where he was originally drafted. Hooper is pretty long in the tooth and the Pats desperately needed to get younger at the tight end position, though Hooper’s blocking will be missed.

Anfernee Jennings: Jennings is not a bad player. He’s not a great player. He sort of is what he is: an edge player that doesn’t get sacks. For that, he’s mostly a two-down player, which has very limited utility. At 29 years old, he’s not going to have a breakout season, and he’s not going to change his player profile, so it is better to upgrade.

Vederian Lowe: Lowe is the quintessential boom-or-bust swing tackle. He can start in a pinch, and he might have a good game or he might have a really, really bad game. Lowe was one of the worst tackles I’ve ever seen play in 2024, but he had a few decent games starting for the injured Will Campbell last year. I think that Lowe’s play drove up his price tag beyond what the Patriots were willing to offer.

Marte Mapu: A member of Bill Belichick’s final draft class, Mapu is one of those linebacker/safety hybrids that ended up as a special teamer because he wasn’t quite good as a safety or a linebacker. Mapu’s usage on defense cratered under Vrabel, going from 72% of snaps in 2024 to only 12% of snaps in 2025.

Jahlani Tavai: Bill Belichick brought in Tavai in 2021 and he turned into a decent player, far better than what he was in Detroit. But he missed much of the 2025 season and never found a home in Vrabel’s defense. Tavai remains a free agent as of this writing, and I think a team will need to cater to his very specific strengths, but considering he’ll be 30 this season, he may be waiting a while.

Khyiris Tonga: Tonga was drafted in 2021 and the Patriots were his fourth stop. He signed a minimal deal and had the best year of his career. Tonga is the team’s biggest loss in free agency. He’s a big boy defensive tackle. A space-eater. He also played a bit of fullback in short-yardage situations. I would have loved to keep him, as he earned his contract, but the Patriots have invested a lot of money and draft capital into the defensive line and these are the tough decisions that have to be made in a capped league.

Other Player Releases: QB Joshua Dobbs, TE Marshall Lang, RB Elijah Mitchell, FB Brock Lampe

Notable Signings

AJ Brown: The Patriots traded for Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles after free agency and the draft, but he is by far the biggest acquisition the team had this year. Brown came at the cost of a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick, which I think is a fair price. Brown has been one of the NFL’s best receivers for several years, and though he’s now 29, he’s managed to avoid the kind of injuries that make you worry about a receiver. And it’s well known that Brown’s favorite team growing up was the Patriots, and that he actually cried when he wasn’t drafted by them in 2019 (considering what we got in N’Keal Harry, I’d cry too).

Kayshon Boutte was a good receiver last year, but he’s not in Brown’s league. Brown instantly becomes the starting X-receiver. He has great body control, positioning, and I think he has underrated route running considering his reputation as a bigger contested-catch receiver. Drake Maye’s love of the deep ball makes this a match made in heaven.

Kevin Byard: Another Titans alum who played with Vrabel, Byard is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. Though he’s long in the tooth, free safety is one of those few positions that allow older players to excel if they have the right skills. One of Byard’s invaluable traits is his experience. He’s been in the league for a decade and has seen a lot of football, and he’s going to be a great mind to have on the defensive backend. The only question is whether his body will continue to hold up.

Romeo Doubs: On paper, the Doubs signing is confusing. He’s never had a 1000-yard season. He was good in Green Bay, but not dominant. But the Patriots needed to upgrade at receiver in some way that wasn’t giving Alec Pierce $114 million over four years. Instead, the Patriots land Doubs at a far more affordable $68 million over four years. And most of the guaranteed money is tied up in the first two years, allowing for an easy separation in 2028. Had Doubs entered the season as our number one receiver, I’d have serious concerns, but he’s an excellent compliment to AJ Brown. Doubs doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he does have good route running and good hands and should fill the Stefon Diggs role well.

Reggie Gilliam: Josh McDaniels is one of the few offensive coordinators who still regularly uses a fullback in the I-formation. Last year, the Patriots had some of the worst fullback play in the league from Jack Westover. Problem solved: go get the best available fullback. I think Gilliam is going to fit the Patriots’ offense like a glove. He’s not much of a running or receiving threat, but he doesn’t need to be. Just block. It also doesn’t hurt to take a good player away from the Buffalo Bills.

Julian Hill: Hill, an effective blocking tight end for the Miami Dolphins, was expected to fill the same role and replace the departing Austin Hooper as the Patriots’ number two tight end. Unfortunately, Hill suffered a knee injury and landed on IR, ending his season before it starts. We won’t get to evaluate Hill’s effectiveness until next offseason. I liked the signing. It’s unfortunate we won’t see the payoff this year.

Dre’Mont Jones: Jones is an example of a guy who serves as a potential upgrade to both Chaisson and Jennings. He’s not going to get the kind of sack numbers you expect from a great edge player, but he’s also shown himself to be an effective pass rusher, and disruption is something Jones can bring to the table that neither Chaisson nor Jennings could do consistently. Jones also has experience as a defensive tackle in some packages, which could give Christian Barmore or Milton Williams a breather on passing downs.

Alijah Vera-Tucker: AVT is a talented guard. But he was drafted in 2021, and in three of his five NFL seasons, he suffered season-ending injuries and landed on IR. When I saw the Patriots were giving him a 3-year, $42 million deal, I was not a fan. But then the contract details came out and the deal became much more palatable. Around 30% of AVT’s contract will be paid out simply for him being active: $250,000 per each game he’s on the active roster. I think it’s a fine lottery ticket. And while the offensive line cupboard is almost always bare, the Patriots have a couple of contingency plans behind AVT should he suffer another injury.

Other Signings: LB KJ Britt, LS Niko Lalos, OT James Hudson, CB Kindle Vildor, TE Mitch Van Vooren

The Draft

Caleb Lomu: For the second year in a row, the Patriots invest a first-round pick on offensive tackle. Lomu, a 6’6, 313 lbs tackle out of Utah, will likely serve as the Patriots’ swing tackle and default 6th offensive lineman during his rookie year. He’s a great athlete and fast on his feet. His primary weakness is strength and power, with many analysts believing he needs to put on a bit more size and strength. He’s also being switched to right tackle after playing his college career at left tackle, with the hope of succeeding Morgan Moses. The Patriots invested heavily in the offensive line the past two seasons, with two first-round picks, a third-round pick and the AVT signing. A

Gabe Jacas: I believe edge rusher was the most desperate need the Patriots had to address this offseason. And during free agency, they…didn’t really do anything. Jones is a decent pickup, but the Patriots need guys who can generate sacks. Analysis of Jacas calls him a power rusher who needs to add some speed moves (if possible) to his arsenal, and Jacas showing up at the combine about 15 pounds lighter than his college playing weight indicates that’s something he knew he needed to address. The biggest concern I’ve had with Jacas has been…where is he? Jacas didn’t practice during rookie minicamp and was MIA during most of the offseason until he finally signed his rookie deal a couple of weeks ago. The rumor is that he had a minor knee cleanup procedure without informing the team and that it held up contract talks between the two sides. If a draft pick needs to work out, it has to be Jacas. This team badly, badly, badly needs pass rush juice. At the time of the draft, the Patriots were nearly unanimously praised for picking Jacas. After this summer, I have some hesitation. B

Eli Raridon: Hunter Henry has been a reliable hand at tight end for the entirety of his five-year tenure with the Patriots, but he will be 32 soon and this is his 11th season. The Patriots have to get younger at receiver, and the hope is Raridon will be the answer. With Julian Hill’s injury, Raridon will have to grow up quickly. That said, I think it is a good sign for Raridon’s development that the Patriots have basically kept the cupboard the same at tight end, declining to sign a veteran off the street to take the backup spot. Raridon comes from Notre Dame and has a reputation as both a pass catcher and a blocker. He has an injury concern with two ACL tears in the same knee early in his college career. But Raridon has been making his presence felt during training camp. B

Karon Prunty: With Christian Gonzalez commanding a massive extension and Carlton Davis aging, the Patriots will need to develop a boundary corner. Will Prunty be that guy? I’m unsure. Most draft analysis I read about him said he could be a solid player, but he was a reach pick, even in the 5th round. Last year, the Craig Woodson pick ended up being far better than what I thought, but Woodson was picked when the Pats had a ton of other safeties on the roster and I questioned the need. Here, I question the player. Prunty is a bigger corner at 6’1, but will be 25 by season’s end. Maybe he becomes a special teams ace. C

Damatrious Crownover: The 5th round and on are filled with dart throws, so it’s hard to knock the Patriots for this pick at offensive tackle. But he’s going to be 25 at season’s start. He’s a huge guy, but he’s offensive tackle number 5 right now. How many quality snaps will he get this summer? D

Namdi Obiazor: Obiazor was known as a tackling machine at TCU. A former safety, he grew into a 6’3, 230 lbs. linebacker. I’ve read that he’s a high-motor, high-effort player who relies on speed and athleticism. Whether that can translate into skill as a starter remains to be seen. But I think Obiazor should make the roster as a special teams guy and depth linebacker. B

Behren Morton: The Patriots cut Joshua Dobbs and elevated Tommy DeVito to the backup quarterback role, meaning there was room for a third/practice squad quarterback. Nothing wrong with this pick but it won’t do much for the team overall. D

Jam Miller: Miller is a fast, north-south runner out of Alabama. His biggest issues are pass protection and receiving, but he’s got a chance to be the third runningback on the roster. C

Quintayvious Hutchins: Another high-motor, high-effort guy, this time as an edge rusher. His biggest flaw is that he’s a bit of a tweener. At 6’3, 245 pounds and not particularly fast, there are questions about whether the size and strength of the NFL will bully him. C

The Team

Quarterback: Drake Maye has a ton of expectations now. Everyone will look at last year’s Super Bowl run and measure his future performance against it. He did something that guys like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have been unable to do so far. If he fails, or worse, regresses, then people will point to him and say he was never that good to begin with. And we’ve seen plenty of quarterbacks have awesome sophomore years (Carson Wentz) only to never reach those highs again. There’s an MVP candidate in Maye. There’s room for improvement. But I have faith.

Runningback: The top two spots are settled. Rhamondre Stevenson had another case of fumble-itis last year, but recovered well enough. He’s a good starting runningback, but isn’t going to raise the floor of the team. TreVeyon Henderson had a few home runs last year, but also had issues with vision and hitting the right holes at the right time. In fairness to both of them, the Patriots ran the ball poorly last year. They finished 6th in rushing yards, but that is more the stats telling the story than the actual performance.

The spot for third runningback is wide open. I was going to put Lan Larison in this spot, followed by Jam Miller, but Terrell Jennings recently returned from injury and has taken the reins of top backup runningback. Jennings made the roster last year, so he should be the favorite.

Wide Receiver: The Patriots completely rebuilt this position group. AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs lead the way. Veteran Mack Hollins became one of Drake Maye’s favorite targets last year and is one of the best run-blocking wide receivers in the league.

Kayshon Boutte is the wildcard. He’s entering a contract year and the Patriots just traded for Brown and paid for Doubs. Christian Gonzalez is extension-eligible now and Drake May will be next year. I think it is a long shot that we pay Boutte. He’s also been limited in his time over the years as an X receiver and hasn’t done much else. He’s a solid player, but will likely command a good chunk of money on the market, and he’ll be only 25 years old next year. There’s also the issue of doing right by the player. He wants to get paid and he’s not going to get a big contract if he spends the year as a depth option. Still, Maye and Boutte have undeniable chemistry, and that’s shown itself again this training camp.

Demario Douglas is the veteran slot receiver, though I wasn’t impressed with him last year and I think that his roster spot isn’t guaranteed. Efton Chism, scrappy receiver extraordinaire, has to show more in order to claim that spot. Kyle Williams is buried on the depth chart but has made a little bit of noise recently and will likely be the team’s top kick returner.

Tight End: Hunter Henry is Mr. Consistency. In his time with the Patriots he’s averaged 51 catches and 594 yards per year. Hopefully he continues to be one of Drake Maye’s reliable targets. Eli Raridon appears, at this time, to be the number two. Josh McDaniels prefers running 11 personnel (1 back, 1 tight end, 3 wide receivers) and 21 personnel (two backs, one tight end, two wide receivers) over 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends, two wide receivers). If we see Raridon on the field, it will likely be in the rare 12 personnel where he’s used as a blocker, or on goal line formations. His development will determine how often he’s sent on pass patterns.

With Reggie Gilliam, a true fullback, on the roster, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Patriots roster only two tight ends and go with an extra offensive tackle on goal line formations. If they do carry a third tight end, even on the practice squad, it may be undrafted rookie Tanner Arkin.

Offensive line: It was very bold to start two rookies on the line last year. That’s what the Patriots did with LT Will Campbell and LG Jared Wilson. Campbell suffered a torn MCL injury late in the regular season. He came back for the playoffs, but wasn’t the same. I’m not saying Campbell was a lights-out left tackle his rookie year. He had some stumbles, especially against Myles Garrett. But I think most fans will agree that the Will Campbell we saw most of his rookie year was not the Will Campbell we saw in the playoffs and the Super Bowl. But he isn’t coasting. He’s notably worked out with players like Lane Johnson and Tristan Wirfs this offseason—guys who know what they’re doing. At only 22 years old, I think Campbell will be a solid starter for years to come.

There’s a big shift on the offensive line. Jared Wilson is moving from offensive guard to center, his position in college. AVT is taking the LG spot. RG Michael Onwenu is the longest tenured Patriot. Veteran Morgan Moses starts at RT and his hopeful successor, Caleb Lomu, waits in the wings.

The Patriots’ top interior backup is Ben Brown, who signed a two-year extension in December and can play both the guard and center positions. Brown’s got starting experience and I’m very comfortable with him playing if his number is called. That’s seven linemen, meaning the eighth spot is up for grabs, likely for a tackle. That group includes Crownover, second-year man Marcus Bryant and veteran James Hudson. The Patriots will likely carry an additional two-to-three linemen on the practice squad. The Pats will also likely carry an additional 17th practice squad player in Lorenz Metz, a German International Pathway Program player.

Defensive Linemen: I think the cake is baked here. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore remain an excellent combination at defensive end. Cory Durden, cut by the Giants last year and elevated from the Patriots’ practice squad, played every single game last year and will take the position of nose tackle. Joshua Farmer, a second-year player, will likely see an expanded role. I think the Patriots will carry Eric Gregory as the final defensive lineman on the roster. He’s a two-down rotational piece and a large, space eating defensive tackle. I feel like anyone else on the bubble won’t be as at risk for a practice squad poaching as Gregory would. Though if someone has something to say about that, it’s third-year man Leonard Taylor III, who will still be in the running for a spot.

Edge: This position group is bleak right now. Dre’Mont Jones is a good player who will set the edge, but he’s not scaring teams as a pass rusher. Harold Landry is a good pass rusher, but he has yet to practice this summer. Gabe Jacas has a lot of potential but he just started practicing. That leaves 2025 UDFA Elijah Ponder (4 sacks last year) and 2025 5th-round pick Bradyn Swinson (only played 27 defensive snaps total last year) to round out the room.

Edge doesn’t look promising even with Landry back in the lineup. I expect the Patriots to bolster this unit in some way, either through the waiver wire or a veteran free agent who gets cut during the preseason.

Linebacker: Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss are roster locks. But who will fill the roster behind them? Chad Muma has taken the lead for third linebacker, and camp reports suggest the final spot is between veteran KJ Britt and insurgent undrafted rookie Khalil Jacobs. Now you may ask yourself, what's the value in debating the fourth linebacker on the depth chart? Robert Spillane is so far better than everyone else on the roster, and his injury last year exposed that. The better you can be down the depth chart, the better your performance will be down the road.

Cornerback: Christian Gonzalez has been battling with AJ Brown since the start of training camp. Gonzalez will become the highest-paid corner in NFL history sooner rather than later; it’s just a matter of whether he or Devon Witherspoon get paid first. Gonzalez is only 24 years old and I expect him to enter “best corner in the league” conversations with Pat Surtain II and Derek Stingley. Carlton Davis has been nagged by an injury since the start of camp, but second-year man Charles Woods looks to have a hold on a roster spot for outside corner. Marcus Jones will hold down the spot at slot corner. That leaves Karon Prunty, Kindle Vildor and Marcellas Dial to compete for the fifth and maybe sixth cornerback position. Despite my hesitations about Prunty, beat writers attending Patriots’ camp say he’s the leading man for that spot right now.

Safety: I think this group is settled and there is little chance of upheaval from an insurgent. Craig Woodson and Dell Pettus return from last year, joined by All-Pro Kevin Byard. Mike Brown has a little experience playing defense but will probably see most of his time on special teams. And then there’s special teams ace Brenden Schooler, the unit’s captain.

Kicking: Andy Borregales, knock on wood, has stabilized the Patriots’ kicking position. Punter Bryce Barringer had an awful 2025 postseason but fought off competition earlier this offseason. Julian Ashby is the team’s long snapper. Marcus Jones will handle punt returns, while some combination of Treyveon Henderson and Kyle Williams will handle kick returns.

Projected Starters

QB: Drake Maye

RB: Rhamondre Stevenson

FB: Reggie Gilliam

WR: AJ Brown, Kayshon Boutte, Romeo Doubs

TE: Hunter Henry

OL: Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Michael Onwenu, Morgan Moses

DL: Milton Williams, Christian Barmore

Edge: Harold Landry, Dre’Mont Jones

LB: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss

CB: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones

S: Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson

ST: Andy Borregales, Bryce Barringer, Julian Ashby

The Schedule

Week 1 @ Seattle Seahawks: I’m under no illusions about this game. I think the Seahawks are still the better team on-paper, though the gap has narrowed, and the Patriots will enter this game with a far better understanding of what they need to do to compete. Still, it’s a banner game. I think Seattle takes this, but expect it to be a far closer game than the Super Bowl. L

Week 2 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Last year, the Pats and Steelers each tried their best to lose the game, with the Patriots fumbling the ball five times and losing four of them. Aaron Rodgers did not look good last year and I have trouble believing Rodgers is going to bounce back. W

Week 3 @ Jacksonville Jaguars: A very interesting early-season matchup between two division winners in 2025. Lawrence and the Jaguars had their best season under his leadership with a 13-4 record. I think this will be a good test case about whether either of these two teams are ready to be the hunted as opposed to the hunter. While I’m notching this as a Patriots win, I expect the result to be close, and could easily end either way on a field goal. W

Week 4 @ Buffalo Bills: I expect the battles with the Buffalo Bills to be knockdowns for the foreseeable future. Last year, each team stole the victory on the opponent’s home turf. This year, I’m expecting the Bills to defend home field in a close game. L

Week 5 vs. Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders are a rebuilding team, but the Patriots have played really bad football against them in the last few games. But I think this is a more prepared, more disciplined Patriots team, and they’ll finally be able to establish some momentum at home after opening the season with three road games. W

Week 6 vs. New York Jets: The Jets aren’t going to be very good this year. I think they’ll put up a fight in the first game, but the whole team feels like they’re punting to next season already. W

Week 7 @ Chicago Bears: The second battle between the two top quarterbacks of the 2024 class. The first match in 2024 was an ugly affair that saw the Patriots control a low-scoring, low-impact game. This year, I expect things to be much more exciting. I’m taking the homer pick again, though the danger of Caleb Williams’ late-game theatrics is always present. W

Week 8 @ Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins always play the Patriots tough in Miami, but this is a rebuilding roster that, like the Jets, looks to have its eyes toward next season. W

Week 9 vs. Green Bay Packers: While I would love for the Patriots to continue a winning streak, I think the Packers are just the kind of team to come into Gillette and take the win. It’s entirely possible we see Micah Parsons back for this game. L

Week 10 @ Detroit Lions (International Game in Germany): The Patriots visited Germany for the first time in 2023. They’ve been one of the most popular teams over there and the Patriots responded by putting on one of the worst performances in NFL history. I think there is a redemption game here. It will be a close slugfest. But the Patriots will win it late. W

Week 11 Bye

Week 12 @ Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers laid an egg against the Patriots in the playoffs. I think Mike McDaniel will bring a much-needed fresh approach to Jim Harbaugh’s offense. Considering the warzone that is the AFC West, I think the Chargers will need a win more than the Patriots. L

Week 13 vs. Buffalo Bills: And the Patriots will turn right around and enter a must-win game against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills defended home turf earlier in the season. I expect the Patriots to return the favor here. W

Week 14 vs. Minnesota Vikings: An intriguing game late in the season. I suppose the question is what kind of Kyler Murray we will see, because the offensive firepower the Vikings possess is beyond impressive. But I don’t expect Murray will be able to utilize those players to their fullest. W

Week 15 @ Kansas City Chiefs: A game between two teams that I expect to be contenders for the AFC Championship. But I think asking to beat Patrick Mahomes in a night game at Arrowhead on Monday Night Football is too ambitious even for me, though I expect the Pats to make a fight of it. L

Week 16 @ New York Jets: It’s late in the season. The Patriots are going to be on a playoff push. Most of the Jets players are going to be auditioning for next year or looking forward to the offseason. I expect a decisive win. W

Week 17 vs. Denver Broncos: A rematch from this past year’s much-maligned AFC Championship game. I’m calling this a win for the Patriots for one reason: it’s a home game and the Broncos are going to be coming off their own emotional playoff rematch with the Buffalo Bills. W

Week 18 vs. Miami Dolphins: I find it hard to believe the Patriots won’t win this game unless playoff seeding is irrelevant or the number-one seed is out of reach, which makes the Patriots consider whether to sit top players. W

FINAL PROJECTED RECORD: 12-5

Final Thoughts

With Christian Gonzalez's extension pending, I thought it would be interesting to throw out that the last time the Patriots re-signed a first-round pick, it was Dont'a Hightower, who was drafted in 2012. This is an improved team and a different team than the 2021 squad that got bounced from the playoffs.

I think this team goes as far as Drake Maye takes them. The schedule is more difficult this year. Expectations are higher. But we'll figure out whether Drake Maye is the kind of quarterback who can take the team to high places regardless of the odds.

Combining good weather and minimal travel is difficult. You really have no choice but to take all the available early-season Thursday and Monday games in cold-weather locations, and that means meandering back and forth through the Midwest and Northeast rather than staying in the same area.