My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

DoubleDeluxe said:

Some trades never materialize, you have to scout for all possibilities.
I assume the plan is for Wilson to move to OC, and LG in FA or the draft.
Bradbury wasn't't the best, but based on the camp reports I think he was better than expected so I won't poo on him on the way out, he was a good soldier.

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He was a plus character which I think was an important addition in our first year of the rebuild.

Bring in Joel Bitonio for a year and draft someone like Micah Morris to develop. Morris & Brown would be the interior OL backups.

OOHHH NO
Is this going to start the Tyler Linderbaum talk again

manxman2601 said:

Garrett Bradbury traded to the Bears.

So Jared Wilson to center or they really are going for Linderbaum. My guess is the former.

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I feel like this team has a clear vision, can't wait to see what they do.

Bradbury clears 5.7M cap space.

My preference:

- Alec Pierce: 4 years/$100M, 25M AAV, 14M 2026 cap hit
- Odafe Oweh: 4 years/$88M, 22M AAV, 13M 2026 cap hit
- Alijah Vera-Tucker: 3 years/$45M AAV, 10M 2026 cap hit

Cut/trade Josh Dobbs, Anfernee Jennings. Will have around $30M in cap space.

Need to address EDGE2, TE and S. Can free up another $20-30M in cap spacewith cuts to make room if needed (Onwenu, Henry, and Ellis free up over $30M).

mayoclinic said:

I feel like this team has a clear vision, can't wait to see what they do.

Bradbury clears 5.7M cap space.

My preference:

- Alec Pierce: 4 years/$100M, 25M AAV, 14M 2026 cap hit
- Odafe Oweh: 4 years/$88M, 22M AAV, 13M 2026 cap hit
- Alijah Vera-Tucker: 3 years/$45M AAV, 10M 2026 cap hit

Cut/trade Josh Dobbs, Anfernee Jennings. Will have around $30M in cap space.

Need to address EDGE2, TE and S. Can free up another $20-30M in cap spacewith cuts to make room if needed (Onwenu, Henry, and Ellis free up over $30M).

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$15M for AVT?
Dude can't stay healthy.

That seems to be his projected market, at least yhe high end.


Obviously, happy if it can get done for less, but the "dude" is very good when healthy. Campbell-AVT-Wilson would be a very athletic left side of the line.

Would structure it with opt-out clauses, injury. Probably a $10M 1 year deal plus a 2026 2 year extension.

mayoclinic said:

That seems to be his projected market, at least yhe high end.

Jets' Alijah Vera-Tucker's Market Could Shock After Missing 2025 Season

The New York Jets are one guard away from being completely set with the offensive line for the 2026 season. Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu are set at the offensi

www.si.com

Obviously, happy if it can get done for less, but the "dude" is very good when healthy. Campbell-AVT-Wilson would be a very athletic left side of the line.

Would structure it with opt-out clauses, injury. Probably a $10M 1 year deal plus a 2026 2 year extension.

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Ya I wasn't questioning his ability, but his injury history is scary.

dliverey44 said:

Imo, Oweh, Gary and Phillips will not be less but probably more expensive because of their +production against the run

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That was my point.

I'd rather pay $20-22M AAV for a difference-maker than $15-17M AAV for a complementary rusher. Can pick up a cheaper #2 EDGE if necessary.

I think you use FA to (1) target key cornerstone guys when the opportunity arises, and (2) plug holes for the short term to provide more flexibility in the draft.

Alec Pierce and Odafe Oweh would be examples of #1.

I like the "getting younger" theme so I'm not targeting guys like Clowney, but depending on how other alternatives play out and the cost, it might be an option.

mayoclinic said:

That was my point.

I'd rather pay $20-22M AAV for a difference-maker than $15-17M AAV for a complementary rusher. Can pick up a cheaper #2 EDGE if necessary.

I think you use FS to (1) target key cornerstone guys when the opportunity arises, and (2) plug holes for the short term to provide more flexibility in the draft.

Alec Pierce and Odafe Oweh would be examples of #1.

I like the "getting younger" theme so I'm not targeting guys like Clowney, but depending on how other alternatives play out and the cost, it might be an option.

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I misunderstood your post, my bad.

No problem, sorry if I expressed myself poorly.

mayoclinic said:

No problem, sorry if I expressed myself poorly.

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If we were to sign one the pricier Edges, I think That's where Clowney could come into play as I can't see us signing a top end guy and Chaisson. You sign Clowney on the cheap to rotate with Ponder...etc.

If the price is right

I think you target foundational guys first, then fill in the holes. Chaisson is a solid rotational guy, bit not a foundational one.

I like the idea of Sam Williams on a "prove it" deal.

Just a hypothetical, and probably takes up too much cap space, but what about the following:

1. Sign a FA like Odafe Oweh. I've suggested 4 years, $88M, $13M 2026 cap hit.

2. Sign UFA Sam Williams to a 1 year prove it deal. $3M base and cap hit, with LTI to $5M.

3. Trade 4(125) to the Giants for Kayvon Thibodeaux. $14M 2026 cap hit (5th year option).

An EDGE rotation of Thibodeaux, Oweh, Williams, Ponder and Swinson would be a good long-term nucleus. On the flip side, Williams and Thibodeaux could turn into 1-year rentals.

If the Pats sign Alec Pierce, that would leave 31, 63, 96 and 131, but WR and EDGE would be addressed. That would free the team up considerably in the draft, and open up options like Stukes, Golday and Rodriguez at 63.

Just an idea to tease around.

mayoclinic said:

Just a hypothetical, and probably takes up too much cap space, but what about the following:

1. Sign a FA like Odafe Oweh. I've suggested 4 years, $88M, $13M 2026 cap hit.

2. Sign UFA Sam Williams to a 1 year prove it deal. $3M base and cap hit, with LTI to $5M.

3. Trade 4(135) to the Giants for Kayvon Thibodeaux. $14M 2026 cap hit (5th year option).

An EDGE rotation of Thibodeaux, Oweh, Williams, Ponder and Swinson would be a good long-term nucleus. On the flip side, Williams and Thibodeaux could turn into 1-year rentals.

If the Pats sign Alec Pierce, that would leave 31, 63, 96 and 131, but WR and EDGE would be addressed. That would free the team up considerably in the draft, and open up options like Stukes, Golday and Rodriguez at 63.

Just an idea to tease around.

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Love addressing the areas you suggested to free us up in the draft.
I'm not high on Thibodeaux though. He's had one good year in his 4 year career and that was 3 years ago.
I think at this point he is who is, but I could be wrong.

Glad the Pats were not in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes. Price very high. Hope they will stay away from AJ Brown as well.

The Ravens are currently over the cap, so they will likely not be re-signing Tyler Linderbaum, or trying to lure Odafeh Oweh back to Baltimore. Both good news for the Pats.

mayoclinic said:

Glad the Pats were not in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes. Price very high. Hope they will stay away from AJ Brown as well.

The Ravens are currently over the cap, so they will likely not be re-signing Tyler Linderbaum, or trying to lure Odafeh Oweh back to Baltimore. Both good news for the Pats.

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4 restructures free up $76M 2026 salary cap

I remember when Vrabel came to the club, he talked about what he looked for in a WR. I don't remember the quote but two things he said that stuck with me were that he was looking for contested catches and YAC. All of this is to say that I've been watching AJ Brown and, not surprisingly, he is Vrabel's perfect receiver in those regards. The trade costs are one thing, but in terms of the receiver alone, I can see why he'd choose Brown over Pierce.

2026 starts Wednesday. "Legal tampering" starts Monday, but in reality teams will be locking down deals all weekend. Maxx Crosby is a Raven. 2026 is here.

Looking back at the OP from 5 months ago, it was weird to see things like "cut/trade Kyle Duggar" and "extend Marcus Jones". What a long way we've come.

I feel like the Pats have a clear vision. They are a SB contender with a hot coach, a player-friendly culture, and the best QB in the league. They will be an attractive destination, and if they really want someone they can make a good run at them.

Time to revisit my early off-season plan:

Starting cap space = $40M (as of last week, before Diggs, Bradbury and DeVito moves).

1. Cut/trade:

✓ WR Stephon Diggs - $16.3M
✓ OC Garrett Bradbury - $5.7M
- LB Christian Ellis - $5M
- EDGE Anfernee Jennings - $3.7M
- QB Josh Dobbs - $3.7M
- WR DeMario Douglas - $3.6M
Subtotal: $38M

Potential:
- IOL Mike Onwenu - $17.5M
- TE Hunter Henry - $9.2M
Subtotal: $26.7M

Onwenu and Henry are assets. They can be kept for 2026, even extended. But I do not see them as long-term fixtures, so they are expendable. The Pats could always sign a short-term stopgap replacement as well (e.g., Joel Bitonio for Onwenu).

Effective available cap space $78-104.7M ($61M and change as of today, with Onwenu, Henry, Ellis, Jennings, Dobbs and Douglas on the roster)


2. UFA/re-signings

✓ QB Tommy DeVito - $3M (2/$7M)
- WR Alec Pierce - $14M (4/$100M)
- EDGE Odafeh Oweh - $13M (4/$88M)
- IOL Alijah Vera-Tucker- $8M (3/$42M)
- S Jaylin Hawkins or equivalent - $6M (2/$14M)
- EDGE Sam Williams - $4M (1/$4M)
- 3rd OT Verderian Lowe, Thayer Mumford, or Jedrick Wills - $6M (3/$20)

Re-signing K'Lavon Chaisson is an option, but not at $15M+ AAV, so I've opted for a cheaper complementary EDGE. Boye Mafe also too expensive. Guys like Kwity Paye or Arnold Ebiketie could be options as well, if the price is within reason, or a veteran stopgap.

If the Vikings cut TJ Hockenson, I'd make a run at him. Say 3 years/$48M, $11M 2027 cap hit. He is younger and a better threat and blocker than Hunter Henry. Cutting or trading Herry wpuld free up $9.2 M, effectively off-setting Hockenson for 2026.

I feeling like Pierce, Hockenson, AVT and Oweh would give the Pats 4 significant upgrades. Younger and better.

A FA RB could be restructuring.

There could be other opportunities. I feel like the team can be flexible, and see where the values fall. They should be aggressive, but there is no need to panic or overspend for any one player. There will be a feeding frenzy in some cases, while other good players will be largely ignored.

A Gonzalez extension is obviously a priority, but shouldn't affect his 2026 cap hit.

Total FA iincluding Hockenson): $65M

Remaining cap space: Roughly $23-25M, depending on Hockenson/Henry. Another $10 or so can easily be trimmed, not including restructurings.


3. 2026 Draft

1(31). Max Iheanachor, RT. Alternatives: Caleb Lomu, Blake Miller

2(63). Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE. Alternatives: Malachi Lawrence, Gabe Jacas, Derrick Moore, Keyron Crawford

3(95). Kyle Louis, LB. Jake Golday or Jacob Rodriguez would be awesome, but won't last

4(125). Sam Roush, TE. Alternatives: Eli Raridon, Oscar Delp

4(131). VJ Payne, S. Alternatives: Zakee Wheatley, Genesis Smith

5(170). Josh Farmer, IOL. Alternatives: Billy Schrauth, Micah Morris

6. CJ Demmings, CB. Alternatives: Ephesians Prysock

6. Eli Heidenreich, WR. Alternatives: Cyrus Allen

6. Adam Randall, RB. Alternatives: Jam Miller

6. Kaleb Proctor, DT. Alternatives: Skyler Gill-Howard, Albert Regis

7. BPA, or trade chip


4. Projected Roster

QB(2): Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito
RB(4): TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Lan Larison, Adam Randall
WR(6): Alec Pierce, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, Eli Heidenreich, Efton Chism
TE/FB(3): TJ Hockenson/Hunter Henry, Sam Roush, Brock Lampe
OT(4): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Max Iheanachor, Verderian Lowe/Thayer Mumford/Jedrick Wills
IOL(5): Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Ben Brown, Josh Farmer

DT(5): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Josh Farmer, Corey Durden, Leonard Taylor/rookie
EDGE(6): Odafe Oweh, Harold Landry, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Sam Williams, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson
LB(4): Robert Spillane, Kyle Louis, Jesse Luketa, Marte Mapu/Jahlani Tavai/Chad Muma
S(4): Craig Woodson, Jaylin Hawkins, VJ Payne, Dell Pettus
CB(6): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, CJ Demmings, Robert Woods, Marcellus Dial/Kobe Minor

K: Andy Borregales
P: Bryce Baringer
LS: Julian Ashby
ST: Brendan Schooler

I think we'd be very competitive in 2026 with that roster. Rebuild 90% complete. should be finished by 2027.

mayoclinic said:

https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2026/03/5-free-agents-who-have-a-good-shot-at-landing-with-the-patriots.html?outputType=amp

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I quite like the idea of Byard and Bitonio. It would still enable us to draft a safety and LG without having to rush them on the field.