FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots are looking to improve the roster of players who helped them secure a spot in Super Bowl LX, now that the legal tampering period in 2026 NFL free agency is underway.
Mike Vrabel’s team fell short of capturing a record-setting seventh Lombardi Trophy, falling to the Seattle Seahawks, 29-13, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in February.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Vrabel told reporters that he’s looking to add “really talented players” in free agency.
The NFL free agency signing period officially begins when the new league year kicks off at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Patriots have already started making additions, while also losing players to other teams. Last week, the team released star wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Track the latest Patriots free agency updates below:
Wednesday, 5:55 p.m. -- Patriots add two depth pieces
According to NFL insiders, tight end Julian Hill and safety Mike Brown have agreed to contracts with the Pats.
#Patriots add tight end depth. Hill was used more as a blocker last year than a receiver with only 19 targets. Prototypical in-line blocker with special teams ability as well.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 11, 2026
Brown was in Tennessee with Vrabel and company for the 2023 season. Played mostly on special teams. https://t.co/dHRUOjxwaP
Wednesday, 3:17 p.m. -- Patriots lose key member of secondary
Former Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins is parting ways with New England, signing a two-year, $10 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
Hawkins was a fourth-round pick with the Atlanta Falcons back in 2020, before signing with the Pats back in 2024.
In 2025, he recorded 71 tackles and had a career best 4 interceptions.
Safety Jaylinn Hawkins plans to sign with the Ravens for two years and $10M.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 11, 2026
Hawkins had 71 tackles and four interceptions for New England last week. Deal by Andrew Kessler of @AthletesFirst pic.twitter.com/UcveKvqAWc
Wednesday, 2:43 p.m. -- Patriots sign three-time Pro Bowler
The Patriots have reportedly signed three-time Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard to a one-year, $9 million contract.
Byard led the NFL in 2025 with seven interceptions.
The 10-year veteran previously played for the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans.
Three-time Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard is signing with the Patriots on a one-year, $9 million deal, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2026
Deal negotiated @DavidMulugheta of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/HT25xrQlpD
Wednesday, 11:57 a.m. -- Patriots sign veteran defender
The Patriots made a move to beef up their defense, signing 26-year-old linebacker KJ Britt to a one-year deal.
The former Dolphins defender has played in 76 games in his four-year career. Britt slots in behind Robert Spillane and Christian Ellis for added depth.
An in-division change: Former Dolphins LB KJ Britt is signing a one-year deal with the Patriots, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. pic.twitter.com/ULQfvpylGD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2026
Wednesday, 8:50 a.m. -- Patriots releasing veteran defender
The Patriots ahve reportedly released linebacker Anfernee Jennings.
Jennings had racked up 217 total tackles and 7.5 sacks over five seasons in New England.
Patriots are releasing Anfernee Jennings today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2026
Wednesday, 8:47 a.m. -- Patriots lose key defensive player to NFC East team
Pass-rushing specialist K’Lavon Chaisson is reportedly signing a 1-year, $12 million deal with the Washington Commanders.
Chaisson ranked second among Patriots defenders with 7.5 sacks in 2025.
Sources: #Patriots edge K'Lavon Chaisson is signing with the #Commanders. Another edge for Washington.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2026
The deal is for 1-year and $12M and was done by David Mulugheta of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/nU787oMwAj
Tuesday, 2:20 p.m. -- Patriots sign veteran wide receiver
The Patriots have reportedly signed Green Bay Packers free agent wide receiver Romeo Doubs to a 4-year deal worth about $70 million. NFL Insider called the signing “a huge payday.”
In 2025, Doubs caught 55 passes for 724 yards and scored six touchdowns.
The 25-year-old caught more than 200 balls and tallied 21 touchdowns in four seasons with the Packers.
It's a 4-year deal worth roughly $70M, sources say. A huge payday. https://t.co/y6COrKi9Db
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2026
Tuesday, 7:08 a.m. -- Patriots signing starting offensive lineman
The Patriots are signing left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. The former New York Jet is joining New England on a reported 3-year, $42M deal. The 26-year-old was drafted 14th overall in 2021 out of USC.
From late last night… a key #Patriots addition. https://t.co/6I8gCBA1nY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2026
Monday, 2:02 p.m. -- Defensive lineman leaving Patriots
Khyiris Tonga is reportedly signing with the Kansas City Chiefs on a 3-year, $21 million deal that includes $14 million guaranteed.
Former Patriots DL Khyiris Tonga is signing with the Chiefs on a three-year, $21 million deal that includes $14M guaranteed, sources tell The Insiders
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2026
Deal negotiated by @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup pic.twitter.com/9hMUaRVJDc
Monday, 1:15 p.m. -- Patriots signing former Buffalo Bills player
The Patriots have reportedly agreed to a 3-year, $12M deal with fullback Reggie Gilliam. The NFL veteran spent the last six seasons with the Buffalo Bills, appearing in 94 games.
The #Patriots have agreed to terms with FB Reggie Gilliam on a three-year deal worth up to $12 million with $6 million fully guaranteed in a deal done by his agent Brad Cicala.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2026
Gilliam gets $4.4M in the first year of the deal to join a new AFC East team. pic.twitter.com/fbMUeSLBeP
Monday, 1:15 p.m. -- Veteran tight end departing Patriots
Veteran tight end Austin Hooper is reportedly leaving Foxboro and signing with the Atlanta Falcons, one of his former teams.
Austin Hooper signing 1-year deal with Falcons. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero, @mikegarafolo) pic.twitter.com/UDtE7QG168
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2026
Monday, 12:15 p.m. -- Patriots are signing an edge rusher
The Patriots are signing former Baltimore Ravens edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones to a reported 3-year, $39.5 million deal. He gets $14.5 million in the first year.
The #Patriots are signing Dre’Mont Jones to a 3-year, $39.5M deal, sources say. He gets $14.5M in year one. pic.twitter.com/ytk8Hu0iwV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026
Monday, 10:57 a.m. -- The Patriots release a linebacker
Linebacker Jahlani Tavai is reportedly being released from the Patriots roster.
The Patriots continue to clear the decks, releasing LB Jahlani Tavai this morning ahead of the start of free agency, per source.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 9, 2026
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