Patriots should be back in the AFC mix, but a brutal schedule awaits after Super Bowl run

The New England Patriots are poised to return to the AFC mix following their Super Bowl victory in their first season with head coach Mike Vrabel. The team has made a few roster adjustments, most notably acquiring receiver A.J. Brown, with whom Vrabel previously worked in Tennessee. The Patriots are set to face eight playoff teams in their 2026 schedule, including four division winners from the previous year such as Seattle, Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, and Pittsburgh.

New England will open the season against four playoff teams: Seattle, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and Buffalo, with both Buffalo and New England vying for the top spot in the AFC East. Quarterback Drake Maye has been a key player for the Patriots since Vrabel took over, completing 72% of his passes, throwing 31 touchdowns, and throwing for 4,394 yards in his second season.

The defense also looks solid, with key contributors Kevin Byard and Dre’Mont Jones helping to limit the points allowed (18.8 per game). The offensive line depth is an area to watch, as Jared Wilson moved to center after Garrett Bradbury's departure, Alijah Vera-Tucker took over at left guard, and Ben Brown will be out due to injury.

The team has also signed Will Campbell and Morgan Moses to play left and right tackle, respectively. The Patriots will also be adding Greg Van Roten and Jack Conley to their roster. Despite these additions, the fan base will not be satisfied unless the team returns to the playoffs.