The New England Patriots reached heights not even their most optimistic fans could’ve imagined in 2025, making a Super Bowl run before ultimately losing to the Seattle Seahawks. They did all this thanks to the ascension of Drake Maye and to the fact that they spent a league-leading $364.3 million in free agency in 2025. New England was able to hit on seemingly every single free agent, including their $104 million man, Milton Williams, Stefon Diggs, Carlton Davis, and Robert Spillane.
The Patriots also got a ton of bang for their buck on lesser marquee players like Morgan Moses, Garrett Bradbury, Mack Hollins, K’Lavon Chaisson, Khyiris Tonga, and re-signing Jaylinn Hawkins as well. It’s good to know that general manager Eliot Wolf is not only able to hit on big-money free agents but also on flyers. Let’s see what’s in store for him in 2026 with $35.2 million in cap space, according to Spotrac, excluding cleverly clearing up cap space.
Maye needs a big-time vertical threat, and Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts would be a match made in heaven. Pierce is coming off a 1000-yard season in which he caught 47 passes, caught six touchdowns, and had only one drop. Pierce also led the league in yards per reception at 21.3, first in average depth of target at 20, and 11th in passer rating when targeted at 113.7, according to PFF.
This is a big-time play waiting to happen, Pierce is only 25 years old, and has the size at 6’3 and 211 pounds. He has also been durable so far in his career, as he’s played in 64/68 possible games. The ideal guy you wouldn’t hesitate to pay. Pierce would give New England a huge jolt offensively alongside Kayshon Boutte, potentially Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and a massive upgrade over speedsters Pop Douglas and Kyle Williams. Maye would be salivating knowing he has someone like Pierce, and they would form an incredibly intriguing duo together.
The Colts are probably going to try incredibly hard to retain Pierce’s services, so much so that they could look to move off of Michael Pittman Jr’s contract. Indianapolis can also go ahead and place the franchise tag on Pierce until they work out a long-term extension for the former second-round pick out of Cincinnati. Pierce is expected to receive a four-year contract in the $20-25 million range, maxing him out at $100 million.
Isaiah Likely makes all the sense in the world when it comes to the Patriots. They need youth at the tight end position, and he’s from the Massachusetts area. He also liked a comment on an Instagram post recently that encouraged him to come home.
Hunter Henry is now 32 years old, has one year remaining, and it’s clear that he was gassed during the second half of the season. This is the perfect time to look for his successor, and for the Baltimore Ravens, they chose Mark Andrews over him by giving him the extension. Likely had some big-time plays with Baltimore in spurts, but has never gotten a full opportunity. He’s a very twitchy tight end just waiting to fully burst open in a larger role. The Patriots’ running game isn’t good enough to be as run-happy as the Ravens have been with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry at the helm, giving more passing opportunities.
Likely is expected to command a contract in the three to four-year range and shouldn’t cost much over $10 million annually, according to projections. Technically, Baltimore could franchise tag him for about $16 million, but it seems unlikely with the money they need to spend defensively. He suffered a foot fracture right before the 2025 season, causing him to miss three games in which he tallied 27 receptions, 307 yards, and one touchdown in a reserve role behind Andrews. He also had a 114.1 Passer Rating When Targeted this past season, is an impressive route runner and has improved in terms of blocking.
With the season on the line, the two-time MVP trusted Likely, and he came through. This would be a massive upgrade over Austin Hooper, and a phenomenal contingency plan for Henry, as he’s only 25 years old and is listed at 6’4 and 245 pounds.
Isaac Seumalo is the left guard that New England needs, assuming they move Jared Wilson to his natural position at center. The youth of the Patriots’ offensive line was magnified in the playoffs, as Will Campbell also struggled at left tackle; they could use a veteran boost. Seumalo is 32 years old, 6’4, listed at 330 pounds, was a Pro Bowler in 2024, and graded out well in his 770 snaps in 2025. This past season, he allowed only three sacks, had zero penalties, allowed only one hit, and 15 pressures in 14 games.
Seumalo has dealt with injuries in the past two seasons, as he missed the first four games in 2024 because of a pectoral injury. In 2025, he missed three games due to a recurring pectoral injury and an injured triceps.
In this scenario, New England’s offensive line from left to right would be Seumalo, Campbell, Wilson, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses. A nice combination of veterans and youth to help protect the Patriots’ franchise quarterback in Maye.
New England has a lot of different avenues it can go this offseason, starting with the April 23rd NFL draft. Free agency starts on March 11th, giving fans an idea of holes teams still potentially have, even after the draft, and connecting the dots. They would still need a coverage linebacker, potentially an additional safety, and a young cornerback wouldn’t hurt either.
Another tight end option that would make sense for the Patriots is Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons. Pitts has all of the talent in the world, and finally broke out in the second half of 2025. Pitts is basically a tight end in a wide receiver’s body, and he leaves a lot to be desired in terms of blocking.
Obviously, George Pickens would make sense, but it seems incredibly unlikely that he reaches free agency. The Dallas Cowboys will probably end up franchise tagging him.
Jaelan Phillips of the Philadelphia Eagles or Odafe Oweh of the Los Angeles Chargers would be intriguing as well. They would give New England some much needed pass-rush help.
The Patriots should be a free agent hotspot in free agency after all the success they had. Let’s see if Wolf can work his magic again. New England can also turn a couple of contracts into bonuses to save up to $45.7 million, and cap space is basically a facade anyway.
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