Mike Vrabel reveals Patriots tried to sign new edge rusher months ago

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Mike Vrabel reveals Patriots tried to sign new edge rusher months ago

Chris Mason · MassLive

Wed, Jan 14, 2026 ·

2 min read

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FOXBOROUGH — It’s not often that playoff teams sign free agents, but the Patriots added an edge rusher ahead of the divisional round.

Following his release from the Texans, New England signed veteran Darrell Taylor to the practice squad. If elevated on Sunday, Taylor could suit up against his former team on Sunday.

According to Mike Vrabel, this week wasn’t the first time they’d had free agent discussions with Taylor.

“We had had conversations with him in free agency (last March),” Vrabel said. “Ended up going somewhere else, and then when he became available, we got together, had a conversation and were able to bring him in.”

The Patriots were active in the edge rusher market last spring.

Taylor signed a one-year, $4.75 million deal with Houston on March 14. Three days later, the Patriots signed fellow veteran edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson to a one-year, $5 million deal.

New England’s March signing worked out far better, as Chaisson delivered a career year in Foxborough, with 7.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 10 tackles for loss. In Houston, Taylor struggled to stay on the field, appearing in four games without registering a single quarterback hit. He landed on injured reserve with an ankle issue in early November and was released earlier this week.

Now, both players are together in Foxborough.

Taylor, 28, was a Seahawks second-round pick in 2020 and spent his most productive years in Seattle . In 2022, Taylor registered 9.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and forced four fumbles.

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