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Patriots' most agonizing roster decision looming on 2026 cutdown day
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- Patriots' most agonizing roster decision looming on 2026 cutdown day
Patriots' most agonizing roster decision looming on 2026 cutdown day appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The New England Patriots didn't know it at this time last year, but they were in an advantageous position as the 2025 season got underway. They had finished last in the AFC East in 2024 and the team's modest goals included approaching the .500 mark.
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Instead, the pairing of Mike Vrabel at head coach and Drake Maye gave the Patriots a formidable combination. Their fourth-place schedule also helped quite a bit. As a result, the Patriots zoomed past the .500 mark, put together a 10-game winning streak and beat out the heavily favored Buffalo Bills for the division title.
They continued to play well in the postseason, dominating the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans at home before going on the road and beating the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Historically speaking, the victory by Vrabel and Maye in the Mile High City in a postseason game is something that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady never accomplished.
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While the Patriots ht an immovable wall in their Super Bowl defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, they clearly have a solid team that should be a legitimate postseason contender again this year. The Patriots have the major challenge of having a target on their back after their worst-to-first finish last season as well as a first-place schedule that includes a trip to Seattle to open the season, but there is talent up and down the roster.
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What there may not be is adequate depth as the Patriots hope to get the best of the Bills again and try to assert themselves in the AFC. Vrabel has been concerned with the overall depth throughout training camp, and the biggest concerns are on defense.
Defensive roster decisions likely to have critical impact
Specifically, where does the pass rush come from outside of Harold Landry, and which of the edge rushers on the team can support first-year defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr's game plan?
The other area is the secondary. Christian Gonzalez is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but he has had a difficult time this summer. Both injury and contract negotiations have kept him from showing off his immense skills. Vrabel explained his absence midway through camp.
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"Christian was unavailable, physically unavailable for the practice," Vrabel said , per the Patriots media department. "That's the clarification. Just like other players that I told to have treatment, and everybody has a plan here, there were other guys that were in that same category. If you want to list the names, Christian Elliss, Brenden Schooler, Harold Landry, Christian Barmore, et cetera. So make sure they're all included. They were all in the same group of what they did."
Gonzalez and the team still have not finalized a contract that is likely to make him the highest paid cornerback in the game. That should still happen — but it is troubling that a deal has not been finalized.
Carlton Davis will start opposite Gonzalez and Marcus Jones will be the nickel back, but there are issues once the Pats get past that trio. Kindle Vildor has had an impressive training camp and he and Karon Prunty, a rookie from Wake Forest who was selected in the fifth round, are the likely backups.
Prunty's rookie status helps him here as well as his aggressive play on special teams probably gives him the final advantage. However, he will still have to prove it on the field. He makes the roster over Channing Canada, Brandon Crossley, Marcellas Dial Jr., Kobee Minor and Charles Woods.
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Pass rush is a major concern
Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The Patriots got the bulk of their pass rush last year from edge rusher Harold Landry as he led the team with 10.5 sacks. They are clearly depending on Landry to perform in that role again this season, but it may be a while before last year's knee injury allows him to play.
He has not been ruled out of the season opener against the Seahawks, but insiders are not optimistic about Landry's return in that game. It seems more likely that he will be back for the Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers or Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If he is not back by then, the Pats could be in trouble.
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The Patriots are counting on Elijah Ponder and rookie Gabe Jacas to step up. Ponder made the team a year ago as an undrafted free agent and he contributed 24 tackles, 4.0 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. That was solid considering his status, but can he do enough if Landry can't play? Jacas was a second-round pick in this year's draft, but he has a long way to go and is still playing catch-up. He is not likely to hit his stride until the second half of the season.
Hard-trying players like Bradyn Swinson, Quintayvious Hutchins and Xavier Holmes are unlikely to make the final roster, and cutting those players will be agonizing for the coaching staff.
