FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts — As senior NFL personnel gather at the Combine, the New England Patriots are reportedly quietly preparing for a major move. After a steady 2025 season, the team understands that to truly return to contender status, it needs a game-changing piece.
Although the defensive system functioned effectively thanks to disciplined coaching and the successful addition of Milton Williams on the interior, the Patriots still lack a true edge threat. Most of last season’s pressure on quarterbacks came from linebackers — a useful solution, but difficult to sustain at a championship level.
According to The Athletic reporter Chad Graff, the Patriots are closely monitoring three top edge rushers on the free-agent market: Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh, and Boye Mafe. All three rank among the elite at the position and are projected to command contracts approaching $100 million.
Phillips is projected to sign a four-year deal worth $98 million. Oweh is estimated at $88 million, while Mafe could receive $73 million over four years. With more than $50 million in projected cap space, New England has the financial flexibility to execute a major acquisition.
Among the three, Phillips and Oweh are viewed as the best fits. Both are 27 years old, entering the prime of their careers, and have served as primary contributors in their former defensive systems. Phillips, in particular, with 28 career sacks, is a player the Patriots know very well.
On the sidelines of the Combine, head coach Mike Vrabel reportedly did not avoid questions about the edge rusher position. He made the team’s determination to return clear.
“We’re not here to be steady. We’re here to dominate. If we want to get back to where the Patriots belong, we have to create pressure, change games, and invest in the right places. Next season, we won’t just compete — we’ll attack.”
Edge rusher remains a premium position capable of determining a game’s outcome in just a few snaps. If the Patriots truly want to elevate their defense in 2026 and expand their championship window, they understand that now is the time to spend aggressively — and to do so decisively.
