Patriots Could Follow 2025 Breakthrough With $100 Million in Free Agents
The Patriots may have arrived at the top of the AFC a bit early here in 2025. Certainly, the hope always was that New England would rebuild after a pair of 4-13 seasons, some coaching churn from Bill Belichick to Jerod Mayo to Mike Vrabel and the development of quarterback Drake Maye. But few expected the arrival to come in the first half of Vrabel’s first season.
The Patriots certainly spent in the offseason in such a way as to indicate they are serious about getting things turned around. They shelled out more than $300 million in free-agent contract, with well over $120 million in guaranteed money. That’s a dangerous game in the NFL–free agency is the least efficient way to build a team in this league.
But the Patriots hit on multiple players, from Milton Williams and Robert Spillane, to Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins. And what’s more, they were careful with how they structured deals so that, when they arrive at next winter’s free-agent market, they will be positioned to create another $100 million in space to spend and add.
Patriots Heading to Big Offseason in 2026
At Spotrac, the contract-expert site, editor Mike Ginnitti gushed this week about where the Patriots are and, more important, where they are headed, especially with a spike in the NFL salary cap expected.
“They have set themselves up for a little bit more free-agency, draft, extension space in 2026, and I guess that’s where I will switch my focus. …” Ginnitti said on “The Spotrac Podcast.” “The Top 51 space looks pretty darn good, there is $66 million and change to work with, that’s with 44 contracts on the books and a few of those could fall off.”
The Patriots are in good shape.
“It’s a well-oiled machine with one of the best quarterbacks in football,” Ginnitti said.
Drake Maye Driving Financial Bonus
No doubt, it is Drake Maye, who is on his rookie contract, who is driving the positive outlook. Having an MVP-caliber quarterback on a rookie deal is a rare treasure in the NFL. Maye makes $8.3 million this year–16 NFL quarterbacks are getting more than $40 million, including Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins and Deshaun Watson.
The soft schedule the Patriots have faced is a factor, but before the schedule toughens up next year, there will be a chance to toughen the roster, too.
“Overall this is a 9-2 team with the MVP favorite, who is cost-controlled through 2026, they are able to create cap space that will get you upward of $100 million fairly easily with cap conversions on these top hits,” Ginnitti said.
Patriots Outlook: ‘This is Not Flukey’
Milton Williams at $29 million and Stefon Diggs at $26 million are slated to be the biggest hits on the Patriots books in 2026, but now that they can say they will be keeping those players, the Patriots can shift some of their commitments around to create a massive swath of space, perhaps to bolster the pass rush or add another top offense weapon.
“Next year, they’ll have a tougher schedule, because they’ll be a division winner and things trickle down from there,” Ginnitti said. “The schedule will be a little more impactful, but so will this roster. One more year of experience, especially if it is playoff experience. Probably one or two impact free agents because of the space they had. You can expect that this is going to be one of the odds-on favorites.”
Patriots-haters, of which there are many, of course, are in for some disappointment, then. Looking at the books and the decisions this franchise has made, Ginnitti noted, “This is not flukey.”
Aidan Hutchinson says thanks to Micah Parsons for eventual lucrative contract
The price for pass rushers has increased a ton during this offseason. The Cleveland Browns signed Myles Garrett to a four-year, $160 million contract extension. Then, the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. watt agreed to terms on a three-year, $123 million extension. But one week ago, the Detroit Lions' main adversary, the Green Bay Packers, broke the pass rusher market.
Last week, the Packers acquired superstar Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys, and signed him immediately to a four-year, $188 million contract. This reset the pass rusher market, with Parsons earning the most in total money and annual salary ($46.5 million). These marks will eventually be surpassed, perhaps soon with Lions star Aidan Hutchinson.
While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Hutchinson acknowledged Parsons' new contract and is happy seeing all the pass rushers get paid.
“It’s always exciting — it’s been a big year for D-ends. It’s been a big year for the market. It’s gone up exponentially. So, yeah, it’s always exciting to see that market go up,” Hutchinson said,
Aidan Hutchinson thrilled of reset pass rusher market after Micah Parsons contract extension
Hutchinson did say that while he's excited about the point pass rusher market has reached, he's not worried about his contract situation. His focus is on the Packers on Sunday "and sacking Jordan Love." This is Hutchinson's first game since suffering a fractured tibia and fibula last season against the Cowboys.
The Lions don't have to worry about a contract extension for another year, as they can still pick up his fifth-year option. But as we all know, it's never a great idea to let things reach the last minute. Just ask the Cowboys about Parsons. Things went so poorly that Parsons requested a trade and team owner Jerry Jones justified his bizarre negotiation tactics, only leading to the trade to the Packers. General manager Brad Holmes certainly wouldn't want things to reach that point.
Luckily for the Lions, they don't have any other major players set to hit free agency after this season, so they should have some cap space to help negotiate a deal with Hutchinson to ensure he continues to play his prime years of his career in Detroit.
