My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

[stelfans]

I liked that quote I saw somewhere of Banks saying he thinks he is a DE. And got me thinking about that as well.
I see no downside of playing more downs with 3 or 4 DL. But as Manx said, we’d need a more rangy LB to cover the outside runs.

 

[manxman2601]

I want to re-sign Chaisson and add another EDGE, whether through FA, trade, or the draft.

So do I but if it's Crosby, that's a lot of money invested on the DL, especially as Landry isn't cuttable this off-season. We'd be paying big money to Landry, Chaisson (he'd want at least what Landry is getting), Crosby, Barmore, Williams.

2026 cap number assuming Chaisson gets the Landry contract

Milton Williams - 28.4m
Christian Barmore - 17.1m
Harold Landry - 16.35m
Chaisson - 16.35m
Maxx Crosby - 30.6m

Total - 108.8m

I realise you could reduce Crosby's cap hit by extending him and work Chaisson's so that it's more back loaded, but even so, that's a lot of money.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'm trying to think of the downsides and I can only really come up with two.

1. You'd need a rangy linebacker to defend the edges because DTs lack the athleticism of a traditional edge.

2. An OT wouldn't have to worry about defending his outside because he knows a DT wouldn't offer the speed and ability to rush his outside shoulder and bend the corner an EDGE would have. He would know he only needs to defend a bull rush or the move inside.

A 4-man DT front of Barmore-Banks/Hunter-Durden/Tonga-Williams would be fun though.

It might work in the short term if Landry is done. Sign a mid-level EDGE in FA. But the draft has a few EDGEs that might drop to low R1 (Mesidor). After that I don't read about a great EDGE in R2.

It is hard to plug all holes quickly. Even if not BPA, you still want to draft for need with a near-BPA. It takes a while to plug most of the holes, and the OL seems to have a few BPAs coming up.

I don't really know. I am not a draft expert like youse guys. But it seems that Chaisson, Barmore, Williams, Durden, and a couple of mid-tier EDGEs is pretty good compared to the Pats OL.

 

[manxman2601]

It might work in the short term if Landry is done. Sign a mid-level EDGE in FA. But the draft has a few EDGEs that might drop to low R1 (Mesidor). After that I don't read about a great EDGE in R2.

It is hard to plug all holes quickly. Even if not BPA, you still want to draft for need with a near-BPA. It takes a while to plug most of the holes, and the OL seems to have a few BPAs coming up.

I don't really know. I am not a draft expert like youse guys. But it seems that Chaisson, Barmore, Williams, Durden, and a couple of mid-tier EDGEs is pretty good compared to the Pats OL.

I'm not quite sure what you are arguing. You were talking about Barmore and Williams being on the edge, not about adding mid-tier edges. In that circumstance I think a DT like Banks or Hunter is boing to be both BPA and a need over an interior OL. The interior DL is this team's biggest strength right now - it would be a mistake to weaken it. However, the 4xDT argument is a good one in terms of strengthening our biggest advantage.

 

[stelfans]

So do I but if it's Crosby, that's a lot of money invested on the DL, especially as Landry isn't cuttable this off-season. We'd be paying big money to Landry, Chaisson (he'd want at least what Landry is getting), Crosby, Barmore, Williams.

2026 cap number assuming Chaisson gets the Landry contract

Milton Williams - 28.4m
Christian Barmore - 17.1m
Harold Landry - 16.35m
Chaisson - 16.35m
Maxx Crosby - 30.6m

Total - 108.8m

I realise you could reduce Crosby's cap hit by extending him and work Chaisson's so that it's more back loaded, but even so, that's a lot of money.

I wouldn’t worry too much. Landry has another year max. And the other contracts can be reworked. If that’s what they choose to do, it’s more than doable. LV price might be the problem.
Need to take advantage of the Maye contract now.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'm not quite sure what you are arguing. You were talking about Barmore and Williams being on the edge, not about adding mid-tier edges. In that circumstance I think a DT like Banks or Hunter is boing to be both BPA and a need over an interior OL. The interior DL is this team's biggest strength right now - it would be a mistake to weaken it. However, the 4xDT argument is a good one in terms of strengthening our biggest advantage.

If Landry retires, I thought that we might play a rotation at one EDGE position for a year as opposed to having one top guy that plays 75% of the snaps. Rotate Ponder, Barmore, Williams, and another mid-tier guy. Maybe the Pats can draft Mesidor or another to plug the "Landry potentially retiring" hole, but EDGE does not seem too deep in this draft.

Seems like the OL is in need of more attention than the DL that is why I thought to manage one EDGE position differently for a year.

 

[manxman2601]

If Landry retires, I thought that we might play a rotation at one EDGE position for a year as opposed to having one top guy that plays 75% of the snaps. Rotate Ponder, Barmore, Williams, and another mid-tier guy. Maybe the Pats can draft Mesidor or another to plug the "Landry potentially retiring" hole, but EDGE does not seem too deep in this draft.

Seems like the OL is in need of more attention than the DL that is why I thought to manage one EDGE position differently for a year.

Ah sorry. I thought you meant both Barmore and Williams playing both edge positions at the same time. Forgive me.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

So do I but if it's Crosby, that's a lot of money invested on the DL, especially as Landry isn't cuttable this off-season. We'd be paying big money to Landry, Chaisson (he'd want at least what Landry is getting), Crosby, Barmore, Williams.

2026 cap number assuming Chaisson gets the Landry contract

Milton Williams - 28.4m
Christian Barmore - 17.1m
Harold Landry - 16.35m
Chaisson - 16.35m
Maxx Crosby - 30.6m

Total - 108.8m

I realise you could reduce Crosby's cap hit by extending him and work Chaisson's so that it's more back loaded, but even so, that's a lot of money.

If Chaisson gets "the Landry contract" the year 1 cap hit on that was $8.5M. Then in year 2 it jumped to the $16.34M you cite here. Difference being his year two compensation is largely via guaranteed salary (all hits in the year paid) vs. year 1 he had a low salary but a signing bonus (spread out over deal). That contract structure is used overwhelmingly and likely would be for Chaisson too.

Looking ahead to 2027, Chaisson's deal would jump up. But Landry would likely be cut with only a $4M dead money charge so that makes up for it. Williams cap hit would jump up to $30M in 2027, but he'd have a 21M salary and no more guaranteed money left in his deal and he'd only be 28 still. They'd most likely redo his contract and structure it in a way where his 2027 comp is converted to signing bonus and he basically has a new multi year deal worked out with proper guarantees. That would lower his cap hit a ton - for comparison, his cap hit in year 1 of his current mega deal was $14.0M. Barmore has a $

You're right that it's a lot of money in the DL but the cap is pretty easily manipulated. Obviously you have to keep it within reason. Like I'm not saying they can trade for and extend all of AJ Brown, Crosby and Myles Garrett while keeping Maye/Gonzalez/Chaisson/Williams/Barmore and everyone else. There's limits to it. But we're so far from the limits really that I don't think adding Crosby should raise any alarms.

 

[Ring 6]

Chaisson's nothing special. He's a rotational/back-up piece on a Legit contender. Don't over-pay for this dude.

He’s a starter on THIS legit contender.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Ah sorry. I thought you meant both Barmore and Williams playing both edge positions at the same time. Forgive me.

It was me. I did not explain it well.

Vrabel and crew target every position and depth at every position, but do not always target the highest performance at every position. Looking at the LBs in 2025 we were playing a lot with Elliss and Gibbens, I do not think anyone thinks that is an All-pro duo. If Landry retires or moves on, I was only wondering if Vrabel and crew would approach the Landry replacement problem with a high end guy and a backup, or with depth guys in a rotation. I think a rotation of Ponder, Barmore, Williams, and a late Day 2 or Early Day 3 EDGE might be serviceable. Landry did not produce much this year, and a rotation might be better and would not require a R1 pick. But I simply made that up, so I am not sure.

At least I am thinking outside the box .

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Where is the speculation that Landry would retire coming from? Is there anything concrete on that. He has an $11M guaranteed salary that he'd be walking away from if he did. And if he doesn't retire, we LOSE $2.65M of cap space if he's cut before June 1st and only gain a relatively paltry amount of $1.35M if we designate it as post-June 1st. He's only gong to be 30 next year. I find it hard to imagine he's not on the team next year. And ideally in a reduced role, playing primarily on 1st and 2nd down and then giving way for a better one on one pass rusher.

 

[manxman2601]

It was me. I did not explain it well.

Vrabel and crew target every position and depth at every position, but do not always target the highest performance at every position. Looking at the LBs in 2025 we were playing a lot with Elliss and Gibbens, I do not think anyone thinks that is an All-pro duo. If Landry retires or moves on, I was only wondering if Vrabel and crew would approach the Landry replacement problem with a high end guy and a backup, or with depth guys in a rotation. I think a rotation of Ponder, Barmore, Williams, and a late Day 2 or Early Day 3 EDGE might be serviceable. Landry did not produce much this year, and a rotation might be better and would not require a R1 pick. But I simply made that up, so I am not sure.

At least I am thinking outside the box .

No harm in that.

I think it depends on which Chaisson we get. The one of the playoffs or the one of the early-mid season. I think, if it's the former, then yes I could see a rotation working opposite of him. If the latter, then I think we'd be still short of pass rush regardless of how many are in the rotation. However, I'm not opposed to drafting someone like Nadame Tucker or Keyron Crawford, put them in a rotation with Ponder-Swinson-Landry and see if any can stake a claim to becoming the long-term starter. I'd also keep Jennings. He might not be a strong pass rusher but he is super solid on early downs.

Of course, having said all that, Mesidor is still the apple of my draft eye.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

No harm in that.

I think it depends on which Chaisson we get. The one of the playoffs or the one of the early-mid season. I think, if it's the former, then yes I could see a rotation working opposite of him. If the latter, then I think we'd be still short of pass rush regardless of how many are in the rotation. However, I'm not opposed to drafting someone like Nadame Tucker or Keyron Crawford, put them in a rotation with Ponder-Swinson-Landry and see if any can stake a claim to becoming the long-term starter. I'd also keep Jennings. He might not be a strong pass rusher but he is super solid on early downs.

Of course, having said all that, Mesidor is still the apple of my draft eye.

Yes, I should have mentioned Jennings, my mistake. Jennings is not only solid, but he has embraced the change in scheme and improved. He might continue to improve in 2026 as well. Good point.

Mesidor was a wagon, and even in the playoffs he was great. Having said that, older guys drop and guys with only one year of outstanding performance drop, so I am sure Mesidor will drop. Mesidor is a risk. We recently jettisoned White who only had one year of high level performance so the team might be gun shy with Mesidor. Remember that White was one of 17 players in the green room on draft night and the only one that did not get selected in R1 (turned out to be for good reason). Mesidor played in the ACC like White.

 

[Dexter]

Where is the speculation that Landry would retire coming from? Is there anything concrete on that. He has an $11M guaranteed salary that he'd be walking away from if he did. And if he doesn't retire, we LOSE $2.65M of cap space if he's cut before June 1st and only gain a relatively paltry amount of $1.35M if we designate it as post-June 1st. He's only gong to be 30 next year. I find it hard to imagine he's not on the team next year. And ideally in a reduced role, playing primarily on 1st and 2nd down and then giving way for a better one on one pass rusher.

When he was healthy he was our best rusher and played well. Not surprising that he disappeared after a nagging injury but there's no reason why he wouldn't be 100% in the beginning of next season.

 

[rochrist]

When he was healthy he was our best rusher and played well. Not surprising that he disappeared after a nagging injury but there's no reason why he wouldn't be 100% in the beginning of next season.

I've heard reports that his knee is bone-on-bone at this point. I'm not sure he'll be healthy again.

 

[Dexter]

I've heard reports that his knee is bone-on-bone at this point. I'm not sure he'll be healthy again.

Was it a result of the injury he suffered this year because he seemed pretty explosive to me before it happened

 

[manxman2601]

So here's a question for you all. In the following scenario, where do you look at pick 64?

1. Sign a FA edge rusher: Hendrickson, Oweh, Phillips
2. Re-signed Chaisson
3. draft an OT at 32: Freeling, Iheanachor, Miller

That really opens up pick 64 to a number of options. It does seem like BPA would really come into play then.

CB
iOL
Safety
WR
LB

 

[manxman2601]

Another question.

Who are the 2026 free agents that the Patriot staff have connections too?

 

[mayoclinic]

Would also consider trade up if someone highly prized slips. It really depends on who the Pats really like. Would not rule out doubling up on EDGE if they really like one.

Some possible targets:

WR: Bell, Hurst, Cooper
IOL: Pregnon
DT: Hunter
EDGE: Mesidor, Parker, Young, Lawrence
LB: Golday, Allen
S: Thieneman, McNeil-Warren
Nickle: Scott, Abney, Stukes
Outside CB: Cisse, Moore

 

[PatsFan2]

Nice DC: sucks as a HC I would bring the Schwartz in. I see your Schwartz is Bigger than mines Lone Star.