Apr 01, 2026
3 min read
Additionally, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has made it clear that strengthening the running game is the team's offseason focus.
PHOENIX - Five takeaways about the Patriots from the NFL's annual owners meeting...
1. A.J.The chocolate talk won't stop.
After free agency, the biggest personnel question for the Patriots appears to be whether a move for a player like Brown is on the table.
“We’ve been talking about this since January,” coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday.“We’re going to do our best to strengthen our roster through the draft, free agency and various ways to acquire players, so we’re going to continue to try to do everything we can to strengthen our roster.”
Vrabel didn't deny the idea of trading Brown, but didn't say much other than to reiterate that the Patriots will always explore every possible way to improve the team.
When asked if the Patriots have enough salary cap space to rebuild "a great life," Vrabel turned to executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden, director of scouting Richard Miller and director of player personnel Matt Groh.(The Patriots have an estimated total cap hit of $35 million, sixth in the league.)
Asked if the Patriots would be comfortable parting with the 2027 draft pick, Vrabel kept his remarks general."Compensation is compensation," he said.
When asked his opinion on the wide receiver room, Vrabel spoke favorably about the addition of Romeo Doubs and the continued development of DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams.The team seems particularly excited about Williams, whom they drafted in the third round last year.
But talk of a potential trade deal for the Browns will continue, likely to heat up before the draft and after June 1. Waiting until June 1 benefits the Eagles financially because of the salary cap implications.
If the Eagles trade Brown after June 1, they take on $16.3 million in dead money and free up $7 million in cap room.If they trade him before June 1, those numbers would be even more expensive, with $43.4 million in dead money and $20.1 million in lost cap space.
The sides are connected because of Vrabel's close relationship with Brown, a player he drafted and coached for three seasons with the Titans.
"I love the relationship I have with the players on our team and those on other teams that I've coached or that I've come in contact with," Vrabel said."That's the beauty of the league is that I played in it and was able to coach it. The people and the people on the field are something special, which is very near and dear to my heart. I interact with a lot of the players."
2. Vrabel doesn't pay much attention to the NFLPA report card.
After the Patriots once again ranked below average in the annual NFLPA report card, Vrabel said he’s more focused on the feedback he directly receives from players.
"We keep asking them," he said."We have a leadership group that we believe in and trust. We're not going to be able to make every recommendation. We're not going to be able to do everything that they want. But we're listening to them."
The Patriots have been ranked 24th, 29th, 31st and now 26th since the NFLPA began conducting the poll in 2023. Over the years, players have anonymously voiced criticism about a variety of issues, including the team plane, weight room, food and nutrition.
According to Vrabel, the team received requests for some changes.
"We're trying to add things to the practice room," he said."We're trying to add equipment. I know the players have asked many times about different methods in the training room. I went to [head athletic trainer] Jim [Whelan] and asked him to order it. Jonathan and Robert [Kraft] were happy to accept it.
"Something came across my desk the other day, ``Hey, we added this last year, it worked so well that we want to add another one.'' So we're constantly trying to get feedback from players on things we can do to help them do their job."
The Patriots hope their new football practice facility, New Balance Athletic Center, will significantly improve the player experience and team efficiency.
"I think when our players come in on April 20, I think there will be a lot of energy," Vrabel said."They're going to love coming to work, from that quality, the performance, the location, all the quality things. It's going to be a great place to learn, a great place to develop our players - the weight room, the training room, the locker room, the cafeteria, the meeting place that we have is going to be great."
3. Running the running game was all about the outside.
The Patriots showed interest in improving their ground game by deciding to sign linebacker Reggie Gilliam, tackle tight end Julian Hill and retain linebacker Aliyah Vera-Tucker.
"I want to be more consistent," Vrabel said."We, the Patriots, want to be more consistent running the ball. It's not like we're running every game.
"Now, we had a few that were good. We had some explosions. And then when you go back there and average everything, it's like, okay. But I want to do it consistently to let some of the running action in the passing game really come alive and start helping us. It's a tough league if you have to sit there and throw the football away late in the season."
In the Super Bowl, Patriots running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson totaled just 42 yards on 13 carries (an average of 3.2 yards per attempt).
Wolf expressed optimism that the additions can provide the offense with much-needed toughness and physicality that should benefit both the run game and play action.
"I think there were times throughout the season where we didn't run the ball the way we wanted to for a number of reasons," Wolf said.
4. It could be a while before cornerback Christian Gonzalez signs his extension.
Throughout the offseason, Patriots decision-makers have expressed hope that Gonzalez will stay with the team long-term.
"We want to make sure we draft very well and then we identify the guys we want to keep with us and get long-term extensions with us," Vrabel said."Gonzo is definitely one of those players. But I can't comment on the conversation."
Gonzalez, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, is eligible for an extension.Since Gonzalez was a first-round draft pick, the Patriots could pick up his fifth-year option before the May 1 deadline — Vrabel said they should if they haven't already.
The Patriots' representatives and Gonzalez don't have to agree to terms this offseason, as he remains under contract for another year, two years if they choose his option, but Robert Kraft acknowledged the financial benefits of reaching an agreement.
5. Don't expect any hints on the plans for the 31st pick.
According to Vrabel, all options are on the table, and they hope to draft the best player availableIf they keep the pick, this is it
"Maybe we'll exchange something," he said."Maybe we'll exchange something."
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her X @nicolecyang.
