"After a heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl LX, the Patriots can now look ahead to the offseason and start planning how to approach free agency next month. They are fortunate that most of their current roster is under contract for the 2026 season, but they will have some big decisions to make about who should stay and who should come back."
"Perhaps the most important player heading to free agency that the Patriots should not even consider letting walk is safety Jaylinn Hawkins. A fourth-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2020, he has spent the last two years in New England and put together the best seasons of his career. That is particularly true in 2025, as he recorded 71 combined tackles, three for a loss, four interceptions, six passes defended, one forced fumble, and 1.5 sacks in 15 games and was on the field for 86% of the season's defensive snaps."
After a heartbreaking Super Bowl LX loss, the Patriots enter the offseason with most of the roster under contract for 2026 but with important free-agent decisions looming. The team should be able to re-sign core contributors at reasonable prices, which is crucial because 2026 is the final full season of Drake Maye's rookie contract. Safety Jaylinn Hawkins emerged as a defensive leader in 2025 with 71 combined tackles, four interceptions, six passes defended, and heavy snap usage. Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga became an impactful, under-the-radar run-stopping presence. Prioritizing those re-signings preserves defensive continuity affordably.
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