The New England Patriots have two new players.
The New England Patriots announced that they have signed TE Mitch Van Vooren and LB Riley Wilson.
In addition, the Patriots released FB Brock Lampe.
Vooren was originally signed by the Seattle Seahawks as a rookie free agent out of St. Norbert in June 2025. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder was released by Seattle on June 13 and then was signed by the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 4 before being released on Aug. 24. He earned first-team All-NACC honors during his final collegiate season after recording 33 receptions for 510 yards and 10 touchdowns. He began his college career as a track athlete at Marquette, setting the school record in the 400-meter hurdles.
Wilson began his college career at Hawaii (2021-22) before two seasons at Montana (2023-24) and his final season at Arizona (2025). The 6-foot-1, 226-pounder played in 52 college games and finished with 193 total tackles, 16 sacks and two interceptions. Last season with Arizona, Wilson played in 11 games and finished with 51 total tackles and three sacks.
In Year 2 of the Mike Vrabel era, the Patriots face the Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos.
New England made a blockbuster trade this offseason, acquiring A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. Since entering the NFL, Brown is fourth in the league in both receiving yards (8,029) and touchdown catches (56). Brown and Cincinnati Bengals superstar Ja'Marr Chase are the NFL's only two players with at least 1,000 receiving yards and seven-plus touchdown catches in each of the past four seasons.
Brown had 78 catches for 1,003 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns last season with the Eagles. The Pro Bowler enters next season with 8,029 receiving yards and 56 receiving touchdowns in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and Eagles. He was heavily linked to the Patriots because Mike Vrabel coached him in Tennessee. The two are very close.
Drake Maye finished second in MVP voting last season, losing the award to Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford. New England's offense could be very, very explosive next season with Maye, Brown and Romeo Doubs leading the way.
