Flavin Media

By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan

The New England Patriots will be more than a fringe playoff team in the 2025-26 season. To start, they have positive developments from the coaching staff down to the defensive unit. Head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, in particular, have brought the team clarity, accountability and winning experience.

The offense has been upgraded through the draft with a clear offensive line pick and the modern explosiveness needed to stay on trend with the rest of the NFL. The defense has been upgraded by bolstering the trenches and reshaped with Vrabel’s defensive-oriented expertise. Perhaps the most telling element for this team in the next 17 games, though, is a regular-season schedule that is favorable.

Patriots 2025-2026 Record: 11-6 (#2 AFC East)

Offense: A-

Defense: B–

Most Impactful: TreVeyon Henderson (RB)

Most Improved: Kayshon Boutte (WR)

Unsung Hero: Alex Austin (CB)

Offensively, it is hard to see a reality in which McDaniels cannot get the most out of what he has. Quarterback Drake Maye is entering his sophomore season with a big-name target in Stefon Diggs, leftover chemistry with Kayshon Boutte, and key separation skills from DeMario Douglas and rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams. Pair that with rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, who is trending toward taking the starting role, and the Patriots now have what Maye should be seeing in front of him after taking the snap.

The unit will rise or fall heavily depending on an offensive line upgraded with Will Campbell, which is still mixing and matching. Ultimately, it will not matter who produces enough to stand out on offense, because the offensive coordinator will put everyone in a position to do what it takes to win football games.

Defensively, this is where things can get murky. The cornerback group is expected to be tested, with Christian Gonzalez starting the season nursing a hamstring injury and both Carlton Davis and Alex Austin likely to be challenged early. The defensive line should be able to rely on a player like Milton Williams while other pieces, such as Christian Barmore and Keion White, continue to recover and develop.

Notably, the safety room has taken an interesting turn under Vrabel’s coverage-heavy approach, with Kyle Dugger barely making the roster and Jabrill Peppers on his way out. Time will tell whether the bigger names on this unit deliver, whether the trusted athletes behind them provide enough foundation, and how the group adjusts to an unfamiliar defensive coordinator in defensive coordinator Terrell Williams.

Above all, the biggest bright spot for this team lies in something uncontrollable that has already been decided: the strength of its opponents this season. The combined record of their opponents last season was 124-165. The season begins with a home game against the rebuilding Las Vegas Raiders, a road trip to face the deflated Miami Dolphins, another home game against the fragmented Pittsburgh Steelers, and a third home date with the lowly Carolina Panthers.

This sets the tone for the rest of the schedule, where the Patriots will face teams making small retools on the fly or a team like the Cincinnati Bengals, who have shown they can win or lose against any opponent. This is clearly an advantage the team can take early and often, and it should propel them to a playoff spot and more.

The team can rely on a greatly improved coaching staff. If Vrabel and McDaniels continue to set the standard for producing and defending points, the players have only half the job left to do. The offense needs to focus on avoiding negative plays and limiting situational mistakes, while the defense needs to stay healthy and trust Vrabel and Williams. From there, the schedule should play out in their favor.