Chad Graff

nytimes.comA.J. Brown ready to put turbulence behind him. It starts with another Super Bowl chase (Gift Article)When winning a Super Bowl left him unfulfilled, Brown learned something about himself: The journey means more than the destination.

8 Sept

AJ Brown woke up after a Super Bowl win and felt … unfulfilled. Our feature on the star WR and what drives him, free to read here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...

nytimes.comPatriots offseason winners and losers, from Drake Maye to Kayshon Boutte (Gift Article)Maye appears primed for another monster season in 2026. And it seems likely that Boutte and DeMario Douglas are due for regression.

20 May

A look at Patriots offseason winners and losers as OTAs near. Free gift link here 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

nytimes.comPatriots' lingering offseason questions: What will they give up for A.J. Brown?

30 Apr

A look at the lingering questions for the Patriots, including the biggest one: What will they give up for AJ Brown? Free gift link here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/724...

29 Apr

Rob Gronkowski was elected into the Patriots' Hall of Fame on the first ballot. He beat out fellow finalists Logan Mankins and Adam Vinatieri to become the 2026 inductee.

nytimes.comWhich of the Patriots' undrafted free agents could make the 53-man roster?

28 Apr

The Patriots have one of the NFL’s best histories of undrafted players making the roster. Here’s a look at which UDFAs have the best chance this year. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

Eliot Wolf said the Patriots weren't in contact with Mike Vrabel today, "other than just some, 'Hope everything is going OK'" text messages this morning.

nytimes.comBest available players for the Patriots on Day 3 of the NFL Draft

Here's a look at some of the best fits left for the Patriots on Day 3 of the draft: www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...

nytimes.comPatriots address positions of need — and get way more athletic — on Day 2 of draft

The Patriots’ draft so far has been pretty good and a little boring. And after the last three weeks, pretty good and a little boring is a big win. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...

The board hasn't fallen great for the Patriots, stuck on the wrong side of runs at positions of need. Now there's a run on TEs. Five tight ends taken in the last 16 picks. Will be interesting whether the Pats ignore TE then and pivot to DT, CB or LB instead.

nytimes.comPatriots select Utah OT Caleb Lomu with 28th pick in 2026 NFL DraftLomu didn't miss a regular-season game as Utah's starting left tackle over the past two seasons.

24 Apr

Here's what to expect for the Patriots from new offensive lineman Caleb Lomu. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

24 Apr

With the 28th pick, the Patriots selected Utah OT Caleb Lomu. He can be a swing tackle this season with eyes on starting him at RT next year. Now, a long-term OT plan after drafting Will Campbell a year ago.

22 Apr

Got together with the other NFL beat writers at @theathletic.com for a mock draft. Here’s how it turned out: www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

nytimes.comPatriots 7-round 2026 mock draft: Searching for help for Drake Maye and the pass rushThe Pats are fortunate that some of the deeper positions in this draft class line up with their needs, like edge rusher and tight end.

20 Apr

Final Patriots mock draft: A 7-round look at what could be in store for the Pats in a few days. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

nytimes.comWhat I’d do if I were in charge of the Patriots for the 2026 NFL Draft (Gift Article)Our plan for the Patriots includes going after an edge rusher in Round 1, waiting on an offensive tackle and pursuing a tight end on Day 3.

17 Apr

Here’s what I’d do if I were in charge of the Patriots in the NFL Draft. Free gift link 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

nytimes.comNew England Patriots mailbag: Submit your pre-NFL Draft questions for Chad GraffThe last big milestone of the offseason is nearly here. So let’s reset with a Patriots draft mailbag. Leave your questions for Chad Graff.

16 Apr

Submit questions here for a pre-draft Patriots mailbag that will run next week: www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

nytimes.comThe best fits for the Patriots in the 2026 NFL Draft: Using ‘The Beast’ to find targetsWe use "The Beast" from Dane Brugler to find five players who fit everything the Patriots are looking for in next week's NFL Draft.

15 Apr

Here are five of the best fits for the Patriots in the NFL Draft: www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

nytimes.comWhat we learned about the Patriots' NFL Draft plans from Eliot Wolf

14 Apr

What we learned about the Patriots and their draft plans from Eliot Wolf. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

nytimes.comPatriots 7-round NFL mock draft: New England goes after a pass rusher in Round 1 (Gift Article)Our latest Patriots mock draft has them going after Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker in the first round before adding O-line and TE depth.

9 Apr

Our latest Patriots mock draft looks at the benefits of waiting on WR. Free gift link here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

8 Apr

Finalists for the Patriots' Hall of Fame: Rob Gronkowski, Logan Mankins and Adam Vinatieri. The 2026 inductee will be decided by fan vote among those three. Of note: Wes Welker remains a big snub for the hall. He's the franchise leader in receptions and ranks 3rd in yards.

nytimes.comNFL Draft 2026 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s definitive scouting reports and player rankingsDane Brugler’s in-depth scouting reports and rankings for more than 2,700 prospects. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, edge rushers, the top 100 overall and more — all in one place.

8 Apr

🚨 The Beast is here 🚨 More than 400 profiles on NFL Draft prospects, 2,700 rankings, and 300,000 words. The best draft guide out there. From @danebrugler.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...

nytimes.comThe greatest NFL workout ever: Randy Moss, a 28-degree winter day and a sweatsuit

25 Mar

Fun story here from @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social on the day Randy Moss put together arguably the best NFL workout ever. www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

nytimes.comWhy the 2026 Patriots could — and could not — be like last year’s Washington Commanders (Gift Article)The Patriots had a wildly successful season in 2025, much like the 2024 Commanders. Can they avoid a Washington-like falloff in 2026?

24 Mar

Are the Patriots destined to similar regression as the 2025 Commanders. A look at where the teams are — and aren’t — similar. Free gift link here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

nytimes.comPatriots taking some major risks this offseason: Alijah Vera-Tucker, A.J. Brown and more (Gift Article)The Patriots have made some moves this offseason that could pay off in a big way. But these gambles could also go the other way.

17 Mar

Every offseason, NFL teams make some risky moves. Here are the five dice rolls of the Patriots’ offseason that could determine how 2026 goes. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

16 Mar

The Patriots announced Mike Vrabel's coaching staff. Of note: -- Terrell Williams' new title is assistant head coach. -- Thomas Brown remains passing game coordinator in addition to coaching TEs. -- Charles London added as an offensive analyst.

nytimes.comThe Patriots’ pursuit of A.J. Brown and Maxx Crosby, and news on their free-agent signings (Gift Article)Eliot Wolf isn't buying the idea that Tom Brady wouldn't have allowed a Crosby trade to the Pats. But could they still go after Brown?

12 Mar

Here’s what we learned from the Patriots today about AJ Brown, Maxx Crosby, and more. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

11 Mar

The Patriots’ starting secondary seems set. CB: Christian Gonzalez CB: Carlton Davis NB: Marcus Jones S: Kevin Byard S: Craig Woodson

nytimes.comWhat the Patriots’ addition of Romeo Doubs means for a potential A.J. Brown trade (Gift Article)The expected signing of Doubs doesn't mean the Patriots won't still try to trade for Brown. It just gives them more options and leverage.

11 Mar

The Patriots’ addition of Romeo Doubs gives them the kind of WR they needed. But it also gives them something they didn’t have before — leverage to wait out the Eagles for AJ Brown. Free gift link 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

nytimes.comPatriots agree to deal with high-risk, high-reward Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker: Source

10 Mar

How the Patriots' high-risk, high-reward signing of Alijah Vera-Tucker could pay off. Free gift link 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

10 Mar

The Patriots are going high-risk, high-reward in their pursuit of improving the O-line. If Alijah Vera-Tucker stays healthy, the Patriots got a lot better up front. But AVT has played in 43 of a possible 85 NFL games. He's had season-ending injuries in 3 of his 5 seasons.

nytimes.comBears trading for Patriots center Garrett Bradbury: SourcesThe Bears moved quickly to fill their need at center after the unexpected retirement of Pro Bowler Drew Dalman earlier this week.

6 Mar

Garrett Bradbury is headed to the Bears in a move that paves the way for Jared Wilson to slide to center. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

5 Mar

Charles London, who worked as Mike Vrabel’s passing game coordinator with the Titans in 2023, has agreed to a deal to join Vrabel’s staff with the Patriots, per a league source. London’s title is TBD but he’s expected to help on offense. He was the Jets’ QB coach last season.

nytimes.comAs Patriots prep for free agency, predictions at the team's biggest positions of need

5 Mar

An important free agency looms for the Patriots. Here are the players to know and predictions for their biggest needs. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

The top WR options for the Patriots: Trade major assets (No. 31? A 2nd and a 4th?) for AJ Brown. or Give Alec Pierce $25+M. My opinion: I'd rather Alec Pierce, who would give the NFL's best deep ball thrower the NFL's best deep ball WR.

The Patriots' wide receiver depth chart entering free agency: Kayshon Boutte Mack Hollins DeMario Douglas Kyle Williams Efton Chism

nytimes.comPatriots to release WR Stefon Diggs as cost-saving measureThe Patriots are releasing the 32-year-old wide receiver after one season with the team in which he posted 85 catches for 1,013 yards.

The Patriots are cutting Stefon Diggs in a cap-saving move. But it also ups the team's need at WR. Story with @diannarussini.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

The Patriots are planning to release Stefon Diggs, per @diannarussini.bsky.social. Diggs was impactful for the Pats in 2025. But he would've carried a cap hit of $26.5 million.

nytimes.comPatriots mock draft: New England nabs WR with 31st pick after an impressive combine

Patriots mock draft 2.0: If a WR is hard to land in free agency / trade market, what about drafting one in the first round? Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

nytimes.comWhat I'm hearing at the combine: Patriots to prioritize edge rusher, O-line in free agency

27 Feb

What we’re hearing on the Patriots at the combine: The search for an edge rusher is on, plus a big decision looms. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

nytimes.comWhat Mike Vrabel told us about the Patriots' offseason plans at the NFL combine

26 Feb

Here’s what we learned from Mike Vrabel at the scouting combine. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

nytimes.comWhat we learned from Patriots exec Eliot Wolf: Stefon Diggs update, draft plan and moreWolf suggested that the AFC champions are not satisfied with their roster despite reaching Super Bowl 60 earlier this month.

24 Feb

What we learned from Eliot Wolf: Changes are coming to the Patriots, potentially including Stefon Diggs. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

24 Feb

Eliot Wolf said it didn’t look like Will Campbell had the same lower body strength after his late season knee injury and noted 3 of his worst 4 games came after the injury. Wolf on Campbell: “We expect some improvement from him as well.”

24 Feb

Eliot Wolf made it sound like the Patriots aren’t viewing the Super Bowl run as evidence the roster doesn’t need help. “Everyone is aware that we still need some pieces,” Wolf said.

23 Feb

The Patriots released RB Antonio Gibson, who is rehabbing from a torn ACL. The Pats have their top-2 running backs. But at RB will be an interesting need this offseason.

nytimes.comPatriots mailbag: Draft needs, a Maxx Crosby trade and Mike Vrabel’s roleWe answer all your Pats-related questions and discuss a big swing for a star pass rusher as the NFL combine kicks off this week.

23 Feb

Patriots mailbag: Examining a potential Maxx Crosby trade, and other thoughts entering the offseason. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

nytimes.com2026 NFL free-agency rankings: Trey Hendrickson, Daniel Jones, Kenneth Walker lead top 150Hendrickson tops the list as he prepares to move on from the Bengals, but where does Super Bowl MVP Walker land?

18 Feb

A story to bookmark for the next month: @theathletic.com's top 150 NFL free agents with contract projections for each. www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

nytimes.comPatriots free agents: Ranking their top players expected to be availableAfter a Super Bowl run, will Mike Vrabel and the Pats try to keep their seven free agents, or will they go on another spending spree?

17 Feb

A look at the Patriots' upcoming free agents, including who they might try to re-sign. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

nytimes.comPatriots NFL mock draft: Could New England address the offensive line in Round 1?After the O-line debacle in the Super Bowl, the Patriots could stand to bring in some depth at tackle. Alabama's Kadyn Proctor would help.

12 Feb

Patriots mock draft 1.0: Do you go O-line or edge rusher in the first round? Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

nytimes.comHow will we remember the 2025 Patriots? As their most fun team in a generationThe 2025 Patriots will be remembered for reaching the Super Bowl, but there was also something special about their positivity and energy.

10 Feb

How will we remember the 2025 Patriots? Probably as the team that made it fun to watch the Pats again. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

nytimes.comStruggles continue for Drake Maye, Patriots offense in Super Bowl loss to Seahawks

9 Feb

The Patriots’ offense had been incredible. Drake Maye had been Superman. But in the playoffs, it fell apart. Story on how a magical season ended: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...