The 2024 New England Patriots were underwhelming, making them painful to watch every Sunday. The only encouraging takeaway from this season was that Drake Maye is the future of the Patriots and has the potential to become one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
The Patriots in the 2025 offseason have done their best to fix their mistakes by firing Jarod Mayo and hiring Mike Vrabel. While Vrabel has wrapped up putting together a coaching staff, it’s time to look forward to the next part of the offseason, which is free agency.
The Patriots have a number of decisions they need to make to improve the team. Some of them include the future of these five Patriot players.
1. Jonathan Jones, CB
Jonathan Jones has been with the Patriots since 2016, where he signed as an undrafted free agent. In his time with the Patriots he’s played an integral role as the team’s slot corner, helping them win two super bowls.
In recent seasons Jones has lined up in the slot, safety, and one-on-one against the opponent’s best receiver, where he was able to hold his own in the 2022 season. Last season Jones’s coverage took a step back, allowing a completion percentage of 71.7% on 60 targets for seven touchdowns.
Jones, who’ll be 32 in September, is a free agent and the Patriots are under new leadership yet again, with Vrabel as head coach. Jones is past his prime and cornerbacks playing into their 30s tend not to age well.
With Vrabel and Terrell Williams implementing their defensive scheme along with the cornerback depth in free agency, this could indicate that Jones’s tenure in New England is over. The Patriots need another cornerback that can line up opposite of Christian Gonzalez and they could find that just that by signing Charvarius Ward or Carlton Davis III.
2. Deatrich Wise Jr., DE
Deatrich Wise Jr. was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round in 2017 and just like Jones, his contributions helped win the team a super Bowl. Wise has had some solid seasons as a pass rusher with his best being in 2022, when he had seven and a half sacks. \
Since then, Wise’s production has slowly gone down. Wise played in 15 games last season, playing in 41% of the team’s defensive snaps and generated five sacks, which tied Keion White with the most sacks on the team. The Patriots defense struggled to get to the quarterback last season, finishing with a league-low 28 sacks.
Wise, who turns 31 at the start of next season, is a free agent and joins a class that is filled with great pass rushers. With Vrabel and company eyeing to make improvements on both sides of the ball, Wise’s return to the Patriots seems unlikely.
The Patriots have both the cap space and draft capital to make big improvements to their pass rush. While bringing back Wise adds needed depth, using their resources to pursue Josh Sweat or drafting Abdul Carter is a wiser decision.
3. Kendrick Bourne, WR
Kendrick Bourne signed with the Patriots in the 2021 offseason, instantly becoming a fan-favorite and a reliable target, recording 55 catches, 800 yards, and five touchdowns. After a down 2022 season, he replicated his 2021 play in 2023 with 37 catches, 406 yards, and four touchdowns in eight games before suffering a torn ACL.
Although Bourne surprisingly re-signed with the Patriots last offseason, he hasn’t looked like his former self. In 12 games he recorded 28 catches, 305 yards, and one touchdown. Bourne, who turns 30 in August, is headed into his second season of a three-year, $33 million contract.
The Patriots were one of the worst teams in the pass last season and don’t have a true number-one receiver. With the main goal of improving the talent around Maye this offseason, the Patriots could trade Bourne for a draft pick. The Patriots mulled trading Bourne during last year’s trade deadline and could end up trading him now.
With Bourne’s team-friendly contract, other franchises could be interested in acquiring him for a draft pick. If the Patriots can get a Day 3 pick for Bourne, the Patriots should accept it as the team is in desperate need of young talent in all positions besides quarterback.
4. Ja’Whaun Bentley, LB
Ja’Whaun Bentley was drafted in the fifth round by the Patriots in 2018 and has played a valuable role on defense over the years. Bentley has filled the void of Dont’a Hightower, having three consecutive seasons of over 100 combined tackles while being able to get after the quarterback.
Bentley had four and a half sacks in 2023, and it was looking like he’d have another great season in 2024, but he suffered a torn pec in Week 2. Due to his injury, Christian Elliss was able to prove his worth and Jahlani Tavai continued to excel.
With Vrabel implementing a new defense, Bentley’s future with the Patriots is uncertain. Bentley, who’ll turn 29 in August, is entering his final year of a two-year. $13.5 million contract and could be a surprising offseason cut candidate.
Releasing Bentley could save the Patriots $3.7 million and add to their league-high $123 million cap space. Although there are few starting-caliber inside linebackers available in free agency, the Patriots could add much-needed depth at the position.
5. Cole Strange, Guard/Center
Cole Strange was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2022 draft. Strange was a surprise pick and the Patriots were hopeful he could fill the void with Shaq Mason being traded.
Strange played all 17 games at left guard in 2022, showing some promise but hasn’t been able to stay on the field in the last two seasons. He’s played in 13 games the last two years, with his last three games at center instead of left guard.
Heading into year four, Strange’s future with the Patriots is unknown as the team will have to decide on his fifth-year option. Strange, who’ll turn 27 in July, hasn’t performed at the level he was drafted at and his role as either a guard or center isn’t cemented yet, as David Andrews will return for another season.
The Patriots could consider trading Strange and look into adding offensive linemen in either the draft or free agency, both of which have depth at the position. Upgrading the offensive line is a top priority as last year’s line was among one of the worst in the league, allowing 52 sacks.
Strange’s injury history and contract situation could force the Patriots to make a difficult choice by not bringing him back.
