If the Patriots want this run to last, it starts up front. Step 2 of the 2026 upgrade plan is about stabilizing the offensive line — and making sure Drake Maye isn’t living under pressure when January hits again.
Our “5 Steps to Upgrade the New England Patriots in 2026” series continues today — and we’ll be flipping sides of the ball to explore the offense in more detail.
In Step 1, edge rusher was identified as a top team need, and New England has already begun their work on that end in the days preceding the start of the new league year.
Now, we turn our attention to the trenches — where things got ugly for the Patriots offense in the 2025 postseason. If New England has hopes of repeat success in 2026 and beyond, that’ll start on offense with stability along the line tasked with protecting Maye and paving the way for Patriots rushers.
Step 2 in upgrading the Patriots is fortifying the offensive line.
Step 2: Fortify the Front
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesNew England has some work to do on their offensive line, and a few ways they can go about it this offseason.
They’re content with Will Campbell as their starting left tackle, and look to be retaining Morgan Moses to man the right tackle spot, so most of their initial shuffling will likely be along the interior.
We’ve mentioned Mike Onwenu as a piece that could be on the move with a high cap number and near-expiring deal, but he has been their best-performing offensive lineman for several consecutive seasons.
Rather than subtracting their best piece in an attempt to add talent, it’s more reasonable that Garrett Bradbury would be the odd man out this offseason. His cap number is team-friendly for a release, and Jared Wilson may project as a center long term.
Shifting Wilson to center would give New England the opportunity to bring in another veteran guard in free agency to bridge the gap between younger starters in Campbell and Wilson — providing more clear communication on stunt/game pickups and cleaning up the pocket.
Even without a switch of positions for Wilson, the Patriots may opt to bring in similar competition at guard to raise the level of play for the group in the immediate future. That would likely keep Bradbury on the roster, and leave Campbell as the only starter on a rookie contract — a much more veteran-led approach upfront than in 2025.
Vrabel has previous connections in Cleveland with free agents; both Joel Bitonio (left guard) and Wyatt Teller (right guard) spent time with him in 2024, while Dylan Parham (Las Vegas Raiders) was drafted by Josh McDaniels in 2022. David Edwards and Alijah Vera-Tucker have been in the AFC East for years, so they’ve also gotten a close look at those players.
Every available guard is projected under Onwenu’s current annual contract value, with Edwards ($19.9 million) as the high mark and the others hovering between $10-$12 million.
Of all the positions on this list, guard is the most likely to be filled in free agency — but that doesn’t prohibit an addition in the draft, either.
It’s possible that New England doubles down on the group with a late draft pick as well. As of now, their only reliable substitute on the interior is Ben Brown, as they’ve done their best to hide Caeden Wallace since drafting him two years ago.
This regime certainly isn’t tied to Wallace, and will need to add bodies into the room in cost-effective ways entering training camp. Attacking that position group late in the draft is a sure-fire way to do so.
With a free-agent addition already set, they’d be able to make that selection without the pressure to play from day one — as is the case with drafting an offensive tackle.
With Morgan Moses’ future a wonder beyond 2026, New England could also use a premium pick to ensure the future of the right tackle position.
Unlike some of the other positions the Patriots may look to target in the draft, there is a steep drop-off in talent at tackle as the draft goes on. That’ll mean spending significant capital on a player that likely won’t see the field for many meaningful reps in 2025 — but it’s a luxury that New England may be afforded after a Super Bowl run.
To acquire their right tackle of the future, they’d most likely have to use the 31st overall pick. In that range looks to be Kadyn Proctor, Caleb Lomu, Monroe Freeling, Max Iheanachor, and Blake Miller — but not all of those will be available as teams ahead of the Patriots look to address the tackle position as well.
If their guy isn’t on the board at 31, this may be a spot where the Patriots kick the can down the road to 2027. But as we saw during the 2025 season, it’s always important to have an insurance plan at tackle.
Looking Ahead
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesWith room to grow along the offensive line, New England will have multiple avenues to explore for upgrading things in front of Drake Maye.
Next, we’ll look to the perimeter of the offense, and identify playmakers that will be consistent threats downfield when Maye drops back to pass.
How do you think New England should prioritize their needs this offseason? Which players would you like to see added to the roster for 2026? Let us know in the comments below.
We’ll be continuing our “5 Steps to Upgrading the New England Patriots in 2026” series over the course of the next few days.
Stay tuned for that and much more right here on Patriots Roundtable.
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