“I wouldn’t anticipate seeing Drake out there on Thursday,” the head coach said. “But that’s all subject to change. That’s kind of what my mindset is right now sitting here today. Really, it’s just important that we get the work in, get things accomplished that we’re looking to get accomplished. But that can always change, but I wouldn’t anticipate that happening right now.”

Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton are the other two options Vrabel has on the depth chart behind his top player. It will be a matter of seeing who ultimately takes the first snaps at Gillette Stadium against the Colts.

There’s no need to risk Maye

Given his breakout 2025 campaign, there is simply no reason for the New England Patriots to risk Drake Maye’s health in exhibition action ahead of the 2026 season. Maye proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the franchise cornerstone after completing 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions during the 2025 regular season.

Furthermore, his league-leading 8.9 yards per attempt and stellar 113.5 passer rating reflected the dramatic progress he made as a passer, demonstrating complete mastery of the offense. Exposing a proved MVP-caliber quarterback to unnecessary physical hits and potential injury in meaningless games offers virtually zero developmental upside, making his physical preservation for Week 1 the organization’s highest priority.

Preseason games for the Patriots

The New England Patriots will kick off their three-game 2026 preseason schedule at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, August 13, when they host the Indianapolis Colts. They will stay in Foxborough for their second exhibition matchup on Saturday, August 22, taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. Mike Vrabel‘s team will then wrap up its preseason slate on the road on Thursday, August 27, traveling to face the Cleveland Browns.

More on DeVito and Morton

Tommy DeVito, who originally joined New England after being claimed off waivers from the New York Giants in August 2025, stepped into the primary backup role after signing an off-season extension. Meanwhile, Behren Morton arrives as a 2026 seventh-round draft pick out of Texas Tech, where he threw for 8,986 yards and 71 touchdowns across 42 collegiate games, giving the Patriots a promising developmental option to compete for snaps throughout the preseason.

“Terms update: Patriots TE Hunter Henry is signing a two-year, $16 million extension worth up to $20 million and includes $14.5 million guaranteed and a $4.2 million signing bonus,” the insider revealed on X.

The 31-year-old will remain in Foxborough for at least two more seasons, in what could be the final team of his professional career. Mike Vrabel, meanwhile, also secures an important piece of the Patriots’ offense.

Henry’s impact on New England’s last season

During the New England Patriots’ run to Super Bowl LX in the 2025 season, Hunter Henry served as a pivotal safety valve and veteran leader for Drake Maye. Starting all 17 regular-season games, Henry anchored the offense with a career-high 768 receiving yards on 60 receptions (12.8 yards per catch) alongside 7 receiving touchdowns.

He elevated his play further in the postseason, starting all 4 games and adding 9 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown—including a crucial 28-yard fourth-quarter score in the Wild Card round—to help propel New England back to the Super Bowl stage.

Far from the highest-paid

As of August 2026, the NFL‘s highest-paid tight ends by average annual value (AAV) are led by George Kittle, who holds the top spot at $19.1 million AAV ($76.4 million total) following his extension with the San Francisco 49ers. He is closely followed by Arizona Cardinals playmaker Trey McBride in second place at $19 million AAV ($76 million total).

Rounding out the top three is Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, who solidified the #3 spot after signing a three-year, $54 million extension ($18 million AAV) with $36 million guaranteed.

Drake Maye’s other options

The history of the Patriots shows that they have had some great tight ends over the years. Rob Gronkowski is a clear example of that, and now Hunter Henry is, in some ways, trying to follow in his footsteps.

If No. 85 is unable to take the field and be available to Drake Maye for any reason, these are the other options listed on the depth chart:

• Eli Raridon
• CJ Dippre
• Tanner Arkin
• Jack Westover
• Mitch Van Vooren

However, much has been said about Brown’s knee issues in the past, but the Patriots aren’t too concerned on those issues. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reported that Vrabel is not worried a lot.

“I think a lot of things get fabricated, and people tell stories. We’re very confident in where he’s at physically. He’s done every single thing. Will he do every single thing? Nope… But I think he’s gotten off to a really good start, both mentally and physically, and acclimating himself to his team,” Vrabel said.

AJ Brown has been reliable

AJ Brown is still a very reliable receiver despite the knee concerns. In fact, Brown has missed just 12 games in his 7-year career. Brown has played in 105 out of a possible 117 regular-season games.

• 2019 (Tennessee Titans): 0 games missed (played 16)
• 2020 (Tennessee Titans): 2 games missed (played 14)
• 2021 (Tennessee Titans): 4 games missed (played 13)
• 2022 (Philadelphia Eagles): 0 games missed (played 17)
• 2023 (Philadelphia Eagles): 0 games missed (played 17)
• 2024 (Philadelphia Eagles): 4 games missed (played 13)
• 2025 (Philadelphia Eagles): 2 games missed (played 15)

AJ Brown is the best weapon on the Patriots

If it were not by Brown, the Patriots would have some serious issues on their wide receiver room. The Patriots also brought in Romeo Doubs in the offseason, but for the team to remain as one of the best NFL offenses, it needs an elite weapon. These are the WRs on the Pats right now:

• AJ Brown
• Romeo Doubs
• Mack Hollins
• Kayshon Boutte
• DeMario Douglas
• Kyle Williams
• Efton Chism III
• Jeremiah Webb
• Nick DeGennaro
• Cameron Dorner
• Kyle Dixon

“We have to win… That’s our job, and responsibility, and expectation in the National Football League. It’s not to go 4-13 two years in a row, if that’s what you mean,” the head coach said when asked whether trading a first-round pick for Brown is a win-now move.

The departure of Stefon Diggs in this latest offseason was quickly offset by an elite player like Brown. Mike Vrabel is reuniting with the wide receiver after working together with the Tennessee Titans, and now they will aim to take New England back to the top of the NFL once again.

The excitement of Brown

Finally, A.J. Brown was traded to the New England Patriots, and the wide receiver’s long-held desire finally came true. During his presentation, the now former Philadelphia Eagles player felt like he was almost in heaven: “I know this ain’t heaven, but it’s close to it.”

The new receiving corps of New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have dramatically revamped their offense for the upcoming season, turning their passing game into a certified powerhouse. Following a blockbuster trade, superstar A.J. Brown arrives as the undeniable alpha and true No. 1 target for quarterback Drake Maye.

Flanking him on the outside is the newly signed Romeo Doubs, who brings reliable route-running and excellent intermediate threat potential, while veteran Mack Hollins provides invaluable size, blocking, and deep-ball capabilities to anchor the depth chart.

This dynamic trio completely reshapes the Patriots’ aerial attack, transforming a previous roster weakness into one of the most formidable receiving corps in the league.

New England’s dream of another Super Bowl

New England Patriots season kicks off in spectacular fashion with a Week 1 matchup on Wednesday, September 9, as they travel to face the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in a hostile Lumen Field environment.

The team then returns to Foxborough for their Week 2 home opener against the always-physical Pittsburgh Steelers, a clash that will test New England’s line blocking and tactical composure. Finally, Week 3 sends the Patriots back on the road to battle the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Florida heat, wrapping up a grueling opening trio of games that will firmly establish the team’s identity and baseline for the rest of the year.

The Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal keeps getting bigger and bigger. This time around, it was reported that the Pats HC had a yacht trip with the journalist while she was pregnant. Every time that the story is dimming, a new thing appears.

Unfortunately for Patriots players, the topic reached them. Maye was asked if Vrabel’s off-field problems will be a distraction. The QB answered with an emphatic “No, I don’t.“

Drake Maye is focusing on football only

Maye is demonstrating big-time maturity with this issue. Many would just go full into the gossip mode kinds of things. For Maye, “he’s our head coach. I think he’s done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I’m just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready.”

Vrabel is an excellent head coach. When it comes to football, he is a brilliant mind. However, now there are questions of whether Vrabel will be on the Patriots sideline come Week 1. Maye, for now, is still standing besides his head coach.

The Patriots are going downhill fast

The Patriots lost their best wide receiver in Stefon Diggs, their draft wasn’t graded in a good way, their head coach is in the middle of one of the hottest scandals in recent NFL history, their schedule will be one of the toughest in 2026, and the whole franchise seems headed to absolute disarray.

While there is a big rumor stating they could bring star WR AJ Brown, the fact is that this offseason, New England has had way more downs than ups. This could be very well an indicator of where the team’s season will go.

According to the report, the off-the-field circumstances involving Vrabel could complicate his future with the team. “But if these upcoming few months go haywire, and if they are put in a situation of no return, either with the team not doing well or the drama of Mike’s family issues taking over and forcing a decision on Mike’s coaching future, the one person that they would seek to replace him would be Mike Tomlin.”

That potential scenario remains speculative for now, but it highlights how seriously the Patriots are preparing for all outcomes. Vrabel is still the current head coach, and they would prefer stability, but the possibility of disruption has forced them to think ahead. After becoming an icon with the Steelers and winning a Super Bowl, Tomlin could be the answer.

Mike Tomlin is an option for Patriots

Even within that uncertainty, the idea of Mike Tomlin stepping in comes with immediate complications. Tomlin has recently transitioned into a new role as an analyst with NBC, making any potential return to coaching, especially on short notice, far from straightforward.

If Tomlin were not available, another name could emerge internally: Josh McDaniels. With prior head coaching experience and familiarity with the organization, he could be viewed as a more immediate and practical option to step into the role if needed.

For now, the Patriots are not making any changes. But the fact that contingency plans are being considered underscores the unpredictability of the situation. Much will depend on how the coming months unfold, both on and off the field.

Until then, Mike Vrabel remains in place. But as the report suggests, the Patriots are quietly preparing for the possibility that things may not stay that way. Mike Tomlin would be a massive splash.

Naturally, the coach controversy reached Drake Maye as he was giving an interview to Jonathan Hall of 7News. “We’re here for coach. We love coach… what he’s done for us this past year — you can’t speak into words. Just thankful he’s our head coach. I know he’s dealing with some stuff off the field… we’re here for him.”

Due to the Vrabel-Russini scandal, the head coach missed the final day of the draft. However, he is back, and Patriots players say the energy is great and nothing has changed inside the team’s locker room.

Vrabel and Maye’s debut year was special

Mike Vrabel came to the Patriots when the team was in complete disarray. In his first year, he not only fixed the team, but also led them into the Super Bowl, despite a losing effort. He also formed a special connection with then-second-year QB Drake Maye.

Maye was the runner-up in MVP voting as well. Maye led the NFL in completion percentage (72), passer rating (113.5), QBR (77.1), and also had 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions. He was absolutely stellar throughout the whole season.

The Patriots want to avoid Super Bowl hangover talks

The term ‘Super Bowl hangover‘ refers to the decline in performance for NFL teams that appeared in the Super Bowl a season prior. The fact is that this offseason, all points sign to the Patriots suffering from this.

Add that to the fact that their schedule will be much harder than last year and this season could be a nightmare for the Patriots. It’s time to be put to the test, since the team’s character is getting challenged right now. At least quarterback and heac coach are still in-sync.

On Wednesday night, Vrabel informed the media that he will be absent from the final day of the draft. This decision follows the publication of photos showing him with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. In response, Vrabel announced he would begin seeking counseling this weekend, stating that he needs to be “the best husband, father, and coach” he can possibly be.

The Patriots have rallied behind their head coach during this difficult time. The club issued a supportive statement, emphasizing that the health and stability of their staff’s families remain a higher priority than football operations.

“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being. Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment.

“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend.”

What happened with Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini?

On April 7, 2026, the New York Post published photos of Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and NFL insider Dianna Russini at the Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona. The images, reportedly taken in late March, showed the pair holding hands and embracing.

Both Vrabel and Russini—who are married to other people—initially downplayed the photos. Vrabel called suggestions of an affair “laughable,” while Russini claimed they were part of a larger group of friends. However, as more details emerged and the “group of friends” story could not be verified, the situation escalated.

“I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father, and coach that I possibly can be,” Vrabel said in a follow-up statement. “This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person.”

Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic on April 14, 2026, after an internal investigation began. Through her X account, she shared her resignation letter, stating she was stepping aside to avoid the “media frenzy” and to protect her family.

“…This media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept,” Russini said.

“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”

“We want to be more consistent running the football,” Vrabel said, per MassLive’s Karen Guregian. “This isn’t like we’re going to run it every single play. It’s just that I felt like there were too many times where we wanted to run it, and it was just inefficient.

“Now we popped some, which was great. We had some explosives. … But I want to be able to do it more consistently to allow for some of the run actions in the passing game to really come alive. It’s a tough league if you have to sit there and drop back and throw the football as much as we did in the last game of the season.”

The Patriots were sixth in rushing yards in the regular season and ranked 13th in yards per attempt. Definitely, Vrabel will have a lot of work ahead if he wants to improve these statistics.

Two key rushers for New England

In the 2025 season, the Patriots’ backfield was led by the duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. Stevenson concluded the regular season with 603 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on 130 carries, while also proving his versatility with 345 receiving yards and 2 scores.

Meanwhile, Henderson made an immediate impact by tallying 911 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on 180 attempts, adding 221 yards through the air. Despite a dominant 14-3 record and a Super Bowl LX appearance, Vrabel demanded even greater efficiency from his ground game to ensure New England remain the AFC’s physical benchmark in 2026.

Opportunities to strengthen the Patriots’ backfield

With the goal of once again winning the AFC East and returning to the Super Bowl for revenge, the New England Patriots will have 11 opportunities in the upcoming draft to continue strengthening their roster:

• Round 1: Pick 31
• Round 2: Pick 63
• Round 3: Pick 95
• Round 4: Pick 125
• Round 4: Pick 131
• Round 5: Pick 171
• Round 6: Pick 191
• Round 6: Pick 198
• Round 6: Pick 202
• Round 6: Pick 212
• Round 7: Pick 247

Beyond his potential destinations, it’s well known that the wide receiver will not be a cheap player to acquire. The question now is: how much are the Eagles asking to part ways with one of their key offensive pieces?

According to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, a top executive from the franchise stated that Philadelphia wants a first- and second-round pick for the former Ole Miss Rebels standout.

His time in Tennessee linked him with Mike Vrabel, now the head coach of the Patriots. Will New England be willing to pay what the Eagles are asking for Brown, or will they instead try to negotiate to lower those demands?

Searching for an elite receiver

After Stefon Diggs was released by Patriots earlier this month due to a significant salary cap hit, New England has shifted its focus toward acquiring a true elite playmaker for quarterback Drake Maye.

Diggs provided a solid veteran presence with 85 catches and over 1,000 yards in 2025, but his departure leaves a void that the front office hopes to fill with a high-impact target like A.J. Brown, Mike Evans, or Alec Pierce.

While Brown remains a premier trade target and Evans offers veteran reliability, Pierce has emerged as a compelling free-agent candidate after leading the league in yards per reception, making him a potential long-term vertical threat for the 2026 season.

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez was chosen to be one of the Patriots’ game captains for Super Bowl LX. He later revealed that it’s Vrabel who has been helping him become more of a leader for the team. That might be one of the reasons Vrabel had this team in the Super Bowl and won Coach of the Year.

Speaking to Mike Reiss of ESPN, Gonzalez said, “Been trying to find my voice, my leadership. Everyone knows I’m not much of a gather the team up and give them a speech [type of leader]. Vrabes has been helping me with that, talking with me about it. Trying to grow.”

Gonzalez is also a leader by example

While some players are incredible on the field, but might be a bit out-of-the-box as teammates. Others are incredible people’s persons, but on the field, they’re not as impactful. Gonzalez is now evolving into being the best of both worlds. A stud on the field, and a leader in the locker room.

Gonzalez earned Pro Bowl honors in 2025 and was a second-team All Pro last year. In just three years of career, Gonzalez has only three interceptions, but has 24 defended passes, 145 total tackles, and has allowed just 56.9% of completion in passes directed his way. When quarterbacks target him, they just have a 77.3 rating. Gonzalez is as great as a cornerback can be in the NFL.

The Patriots are used to top-tier cornerbacks

During the first part of the Patriots’ dynasty, Ty Law was locking out every top-tier wideout in the NFL. In 2004, he departed, but the Patriots had Asante Samuel already on the roster. From 2003 to 2007, he was iconic for the Patriots. A few years passed, but then they had all-time great Darrelle Revis for a year and won Super Bowl XLIX.

A few years passed, and then they had “Mr. INT” in J.C. Jackson and Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. Hence, the Patriots have a very good sense of what to look for in cornerbacks and Gonzalez is the last proof of it.