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2026 New England Patriots season

67th season in franchise history From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2026 season is the New England Patriots' 57th in the National Football League (NFL), their 67th overall, their third under de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and their second under head coach Mike Vrabel. The Patriots will look to match or improve on their 14–3 record from the previous season. With a Week 2 home win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Patriots became the first team originating in the American Football League to reach 600 lifetime wins.

OwnerRobert Kraft
General managerEliot Wolf (de facto)
Head coachMike Vrabel
Offensive coordinatorJosh McDaniels
Quick facts New England Patriots season, Owner ...
2026 New England Patriots season
OwnerRobert Kraft
General managerEliot Wolf (de facto)
Head coachMike Vrabel
Offensive coordinatorJosh McDaniels
Defensive coordinatorZak Kuhr
Home stadiumGillette Stadium
Results
Record2–2
Division place2nd AFC East
Uniform
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Roster changes

Free agency

Unrestricted

More information Position, Player ...
Position Player 2026 team Date signed Contract
LB K'Lavon Chaisson Washington Commanders March 13, 2026[1] 1 year, $11 million[2]
S Jaylinn Hawkins Baltimore Ravens March 12, 2026[3] 2 years, $10 million[4]
TE Austin Hooper Atlanta Falcons March 12, 2026[5] 1 year, $3.25 million[6]
OT Vederian Lowe San Francisco 49ers March 12, 2026[7] 2 years, $9.25 million[8]
OT Thayer Munford
DT Khyiris Tonga Kansas City Chiefs March 12, 2026[9] 3 years, $21 million[10]
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Restricted

More information Position, Player ...
Position Player 2026 team Date signed Contract
CB Alex Austin Miami Dolphins March 12, 2026[11] 1 year, $1.22 million[12]
QB Tommy DeVito New England Patriots March 6, 2026[13] 2 years, $4.4 million[14]
OT Yasir Durant
LB Jack Gibbens Arizona Cardinals March 16, 2026[15] 2 years, $7.5 million[16]
DT Jaquelin Roy
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Exclusive Rights

More information Position, Player ...
Position Player 2026 team Date signed Contract
DT Isaiah Iton New England Patriots July 20, 2026[17] 1 year, $885,000[18]
RB Deneric Prince
TE Jack Westover New England Patriots April 21, 2026[19] 1 year, $1.075 million[20]
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Signings/waiver claims

More information Position, Player ...
Position Player Previous team Date signed Contract
LB Jesse Luketa Los Angeles Rams March 5, 2026[21] 1 year, $1.145 million[22]
S Mike Brown Tennessee Titans March 12, 2026[23] 1 year, $1.315 million[24]
S Kevin Byard Chicago Bears 1 year, $7 million[25]
WR Romeo Doubs Green Bay Packers 4 years, $68 million[26]
FB Reggie Gilliam Buffalo Bills 3 years, $10.8 million[27]
TE Julian Hill Miami Dolphins 3 years, $15 million[28]
LB Dre'Mont Jones Baltimore Ravens 3 years, $36.5 million[29]
OG Alijah Vera-Tucker New York Jets 3 years, $42 million[30]
LB K.J. Britt Miami Dolphins March 16, 2026[31] 1 year, $1.4025 million[32]
LS Niko Lalos New Orleans Saints 1 year, $1.005 million[33]
OT James Hudson New York Giants March 23, 2026[34] 1 year, $1.4025 million[35]
CB Kindle Vildor Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 year, $1.4025 million[36]
TE Mitch Van Vooren Cleveland Browns July 22, 2026[37] 1 year, $885,000[38]
DT Casey Rogers New York Giants August 3, 2026[39] 1 year, $1.005 million[40]
WR Tejhaun Palmer Arizona Cardinals August 4, 2026[41] 1 year, $885,000[42]
LS Niko Lalos New Orleans Saints August 10, 2026[43] 1 year, $1.005 million[44]
RB Hassan Haskins Los Angeles Chargers August 12, 2026[45] 1 year, $1.145 million[46]
RB JaMycal Hasty Miami Dolphins August 13, 2026[47] 1 year, $1.215 million[48]
OG Darrian Dalcourt Cleveland Browns August 15, 2026[49] 1 year, $885,000[50]
C Joe Michalski Denver Broncos 1 year, $885,000[51]
OG Greg Van Roten New York Giants August 18, 2026[52] 1 year, $3 million[53]
OG Jack Conley Cleveland Browns August 24, 2026[54] 1 year, $885,000[55]
P Matt Haack Washington Commanders 1 year, $1.3 million[56]
TE Cameron Latu Philadelphia Eagles August 31, 2026[57] 1 year, $1.005 million[58]
LB Darius Muasau New York Giants 2 years, $2.265 million[59]
C Ben Brown New England Patriots September 1, 2026[60] 2 years, $3.84 million[61]
DT DaQuan Jones Buffalo Bills September 12, 2026[62] 1 year, $3.5 million[63]
OG Matt Pryor Arizona Cardinals October 1, 2026[64] 1 year, $1.3 million[65]
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Releases/waivers

More information Position, Player ...
Position Player Date released/waived
RB Antonio Gibson February 23, 2026[66]
WR Stefon Diggs March 11, 2026[67]
LB Anfernee Jennings
LB Jahlani Tavai
QB Joshua Dobbs March 23, 2026[34]
WR John Jiles April 27, 2026[68]
TE Marshall Lang
RB Elijah Mitchell April 28, 2026[69]
LS Niko Lalos May 20, 2026[70]
DT Travis Shaw July 17, 2026[71]
FB Brock Lampe July 22, 2026[72]
OT Sebastian Gutierrez July 25, 2026[73]
LB Otis Reese July 31, 2026[74]
TE Jeremiah Franklin August 4, 2026[41]
DT David Blay Jr. August 7, 2026[75]
RB Myles Montgomery August 12, 2026[45]
LS Niko Lalos August 15, 2026[49]
TE Mitch Van Vooren August 18, 2026[52]
CB Kenneth Harris August 24, 2026[54]
WR Kobe Prentice
RB Hassan Haskins August 29, 2026[76]
LB K.J. Britt August 31, 2026[57]
C Ben Brown
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Trades

Draft

Main article: 2026 NFL draft
More information Round, Selection ...
2026 New England Patriots draft selections
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
128 Caleb LomuOTUtahFrom Texans via Bills
255 Gabe JacasLBIllinoisFrom Chargers
395 Eli RaridonTENotre Dame
5171 Karon PruntyCBWake Forest
6196 Dametrious CrownoverOTTexas A&MFrom Colts via Vikings, Panthers and Jaguars
212 Namdi ObiazorLBTCU
7234 Behren MortonQBTexas TechFrom Vikings
245 Jam MillerRBAlabamaFrom Rams via Texans and Jaguars
247 Quintayvious HutchinsLBBoston College
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More information Name, Position ...
2026 New England Patriots undrafted free agents
Name Position College Ref.
Tanner Arkin TE Illinois [82]
David Blay Jr. DT Miami (FL)
Channing Canada CB TCU
Nick DeGennaro WR James Madison
Kyle Dixon WR Culver–Stockton
Cameron Dorner WR North Texas
Kenneth Harris CB Oklahoma State
Khalil Jacobs LB Missouri
Jimmy Kibble WR Georgetown
Myles Montgomery RB UCF
JonDarius Morgan OG UAB
Jacob Rizy C Florida State
Xavier Holmes LB James Madison [83]
Peter Manuma S Hawaii
Travis Shaw DT Texas [84]
Riley Wilson LB Arizona [85]
Jeremiah Franklin TE Boston College [86]
Kobe Prentice WR Baylor [87]
Eric Butler S San Diego State [75]
Erick Hunter LB Morgan State [88]
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Staff

New England Patriots staff
Front office
  • Chairman/CEO – Robert Kraft
  • President – Jonathan Kraft
  • Executive vice president of player personnel – Eliot Wolf
  • Vice president of player personnel – Ryan Cowden
  • Vice president of football administration – Matt Groh
  • Scouting administration coordinator – Courtney Weiner
  • Senior personnel executive – Alonzo Highsmith
  • Director of pro personnel – AJ Highsmith
  • Assistant director of pro personnel – Sam Fioroni
  • Director of college scouting – Tony Kinkela
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Matt Evans
  • Director of player development – James Mitchell
  • Director of research – Richard Miller
  • Director of football operations – Bobby Brown
  • Personnel coordinator – Brian Smith
Football operations and strategy
  • Vice president of football operations and strategy – John Streicher
  • Director of coaching analytics – Ekene Olekanma
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
  
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Zak Kuhr
  • Defensive line – Clinton McMillan
  • Inside linebackers – Vinny DePalma
  • Outside linebackers – Mike Smith
  • Cornerbacks – Justin Hamilton
  • Secondary – Scott Booker
  • Defensive analyst – Shane Bowen
  • Defensive assistant – B.J. Edmonds
  • Defensive assistant – Kevin Richardson
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
  • Director of sports performance – Frank Piraino
  • Strength and conditioning – Brandon Martuccio
  • Strength and conditioning – Deron Mayo
  • Strength and conditioning – Brian McDonough

→ Coaching staff
→ Front office
→ More NFL staffs

Current roster

New England Patriots roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

 Practice squad

Reserve

Preseason

More information Week, Date ...
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 Indianapolis Colts T 13–13 0–0–1 Gillette Stadium Recap
2 August 22 Philadelphia Eagles W 24–21 1–0–1 Gillette Stadium Recap
3 August 27 at Cleveland Browns L 13–37 1–1–1 Huntington Bank Field Recap
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Regular season

Schedule

More information Week, Date ...
Week Date Time (ET) Opponent Result Record Venue Network Recap
1 September 9 8:20 p.m. at Seattle Seahawks L 10–13 0–1 Lumen Field NBC Recap
2 September 20 1:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Steelers W 20–3 1–1 Gillette Stadium CBS Recap
3 September 27 1:00 p.m. at Jacksonville Jaguars L 6–35 1–2 EverBank Stadium CBS Recap
4 October 4 1:00 p.m. at Buffalo Bills W 29–26 2–2 Highmark Stadium CBS Recap
5 October 11 1:00 p.m. Las Vegas Raiders Gillette Stadium CBS
6 October 18 1:00 p.m. New York Jets Gillette Stadium CBS
7 October 22 8:15 p.m. at Chicago Bears Soldier Field Prime Video
8 November 1 4:25 p.m. at Miami Dolphins Hard Rock Stadium CBS
9 November 8 4:25 p.m. Green Bay Packers Gillette Stadium Fox
10 November 15 9:30 a.m. at Detroit Lions Germany Allianz Arena (Munich) Fox
11 Bye
12 November 29 8:20 p.m. at Los Angeles Chargers SoFi Stadium NBC
13 December 6 4:25 p.m. Buffalo Bills Gillette Stadium CBS
14 December 10 8:15 p.m. Minnesota Vikings Gillette Stadium Prime Video
15 December 21 8:15 p.m. at Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium ESPN/ABC
16 December 27 1:00 p.m. at New York Jets MetLife Stadium CBS
17 January 2/3/4 TBD Denver Broncos Gillette Stadium TBD
18 January 9/10 TBD Miami Dolphins Gillette Stadium TBD
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Notes

  • Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
  • Networks and times from Weeks 5–16 and dates from Weeks 12–16 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.[89]
  • The date, time and network for Week 17 will be finalized by no later than the end of Week 15.[90]
  • The date, time and network for Week 18 will be finalized at the end of Week 17.[89]

Game summaries

Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks

NFL Kickoff

Week 1: New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 7 3010
Seahawks 0 0 31013
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at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • NE – Andy Borregales 50-yard field goal, 11:49. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 3:11.
  • SEA – Jason Myers 30-yard field goal, 3:13. Patriots 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:40.

Fourth quarter

  • SEA – Jaxon Smith-Njigba 45-yard pass from Drew Lock (Jason Myers kick), 11:28. Tied 10–10. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 2:44.
  • SEA – Jason Myers 26-yard field goal, 5:50. Seahawks 13–10. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 3:30.

Top passers

  • NE – Drake Maye – 23/33, 178 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • SEA – Drew Lock – 16/22, 187 yards, TD

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • NE – Mack Hollins – 4 receptions, 51 yards
  • SEA – Jaxon Smith-Njigba – 8 receptions, 122 yards, TD
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This game served as a rematch of Super Bowl LX and was the first NFL Kickoff Game that was a Super Bowl rematch since 2016, although Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was injured in his first possession and was replaced by Drew Lock. After securing a 10–0 lead early in the third quarter, the Patriots collapsed by allowing 13 unanswered points. The Patriots ultimately lost to the Seahawks for the fifth straight time, having last defeated them in Super Bowl XLIX. Consequently, they started their season with a record of 0–1 for the second consecutive year. It is also their first road loss since Mike Vrabel became head coach in 2025. It was the first time this occurred since Week 16 of the 2024 season, snapping a 9-game win streak.

Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 3 003
Patriots 7 3 3720
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at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • NE – Andy Borregales 30-yard field goal, 14:14. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 4:56.
  • PIT – Chris Boswell 56-yard field goal, 0:00. Patriots 10–3. Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 0:40.

Third quarter

  • NE – Andy Borregales 45-yard field goal, 0:43. Patriots 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:29.

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Elijah Ponder 19-yard fumble return (Andy Borregales kick), 13:37. Patriots 20–3.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • PIT – Jaylen Warren – 11 rushes, 43 yards
  • NE – TreVeyon Henderson – 16 rushes, 76 yards, TD

Top receivers

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With the win, the Patriots improved to 1–1 and secured their 600th win in franchise history. It was their first home opening win since 2020.

Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 3: New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 3 036
Jaguars 0 14 14735
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at EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • JAX – Josh Cameron 12-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence (Cam Little kick), 13:25. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 5:27.
  • NE – Andy Borregales 35-yard field goal, 9:09. Jaguars 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:55.
  • JAX – Jakobi Meyers 10-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence (Cam Little kick), 4:23. Jaguars 14–3. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:46.

Third quarter

  • JAX – Parker Washington 17-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence (Cam Little kick), 1:08. Jaguars 21–3. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 8:42.
  • JAX – Chris Rodriguez Jr. 5-yard run (Cam Little kick), 0:50. Jaguars 28–3. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:04.

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Andy Borregales 40-yard field goal, 13:17. Jaguars 28–6. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 2:33.
  • JAX – Bhayshul Tuten 1-yard run (Cam Little kick), 8:02. Jaguars 35–6. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 5:15.

Top passers

  • NE – Drake Maye – 14/25, 199 yards, 2 INT
  • JAX – Trevor Lawrence – 19/29, 182 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • NE – TreVeyon Henderson – 8 rushes, 23 yards
  • JAX – Bhayshul Tuten – 15 rushes, 73 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • NE – Mack Hollins – 6 receptions, 87 yards
  • JAX – Jakobi Meyers – 7 receptions, 64 yards, TD
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With an abysmal loss, New England fell to 1–2 for the sixth straight year, while suffering their road loss to Jacksonville since 2018. This also marked the first time since Week 18 of 2023 that the Patriots failed to score a touchdown.

Week 4: at Buffalo Bills

Week 4: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 7 7829
Bills 0 17 0926
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at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • BUF – James Cook 8-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 14:15. Tied 7–7. Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards, 7:46.
  • NE – Rhamondre Stevenson 1-yard run (Andy Borregales kick), 5:38. Patriots 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 2:43.
  • BUF – Josh Allen 2-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 1:00. Tied 14–14. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:38.
  • BUF – Tyler Bass 27-yard field goal, 0:02. Bills 17–14. Drive: 1 play, 0 yards, 0:03.

Third quarter

  • NE – Romeo Doubs 2-yard pass from Drake Maye (Andy Borregales kick), 8:15. Patriots 21–17. Drive: 14 plays, 73 yards, 6:45.

Fourth quarter

  • BUF – Tyler Bass 38-yard field goal, 11:07. Patriots 21–20. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:40.
  • BUF – Keon Coleman 34-yard pass from Josh Allen (pass failed), 4:27. Bills 26–21. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:09.
  • NE – Efton Chism 23-yard pass from Drake Maye (Drake Maye–Rhamondre Stevenson pass), 1:50. Patriots 29–26. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 2:37.

Top passers

  • NE – Drake Maye – 22/37, 269 yards, 3 TD, INT
  • BUF – Josh Allen – 23/33, 253 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • NE – Drake Maye – 8 rushes, 54 yards
  • BUF – James Cook – 12 rushes, 75 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • NE – Hunter Henry – 5 receptions, 62 yards
  • BUF – Keon Coleman – 6 receptions, 116 yards, TD
Close

With their second straight win road win against the Bills, the Patriots improved to 2–2 for the second consecutive year. They also began 1–0 against the AFC East.

Week 5: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 5: Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 0 000
Patriots 0 0 000
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at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Standings

Division

More information AFC East, W ...
AFC East
 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Buffalo Bills 3 1 0 .750 0–1 2–1 127 107 L1
New England Patriots 2 2 0 .500 1–0 2–1 65 77 W1
New York Jets 1 3 0 .250 0–0 1–0 76 84 L3
Miami Dolphins 0 4 0 .000 0–0 0–2 46 101 L4
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Conference

More information Seed, Team ...
AFC
Seed Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Kansas City Chiefs West 4 0 0 1.000 2–0 4–0 .438 .438 W4
2 Jacksonville Jaguars South 3 1 0 .750 0–0 3–1 .563 .583 W2
3 Buffalo Bills East 3 1 0 .750 0–1 2–1 .250 .167 L1
4 Cleveland Browns North 3 1 0 .750 1–0 1–1 .438 .333 W3
Wild cards
5 Baltimore Ravens North 3 1 0 .750 0–0 2–0 .313 .333 W2
6 Las Vegas Raiders West 3 1 0 .750 1–1 2–1 .313 .083 L1
7 New England Patriots East 2 2 0 .500 1–0 2–1 .688 .625 W1
In the hunt
8 Denver Broncos West 2 2 0 .500 0–1 1–1 .813 .625 L1
9 Pittsburgh Steelers North 2 2 0 .500 1–1 1–2 .563 .500 L1
10 Indianapolis Colts South 2 2 0 .500 1–0 1–2 .500 .125 W2
11 Cincinnati Bengals North 2 2 0 .500 0–1 1–2 .313 .000 L2
12 New York Jets East 1 3 0 .250 0–0 1–0 .438 .000 L3
13 Miami Dolphins East 0 4 0 .000 0–0 0–2 .938 .000 L4
14 Los Angeles Chargers West 0 4 0 .000 0–1 0–2 .625 .000 L4
15 Tennessee Titans South 0 4 0 .000 0–0 0–2 .563 .000 L4
16 Houston Texans South 0 4 0 .000 0–1 0–3 .563 .000 L4
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References

Notes

External links

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Timelines

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