SAN FRANCISCO — With a Super Bowl loss behind them, it’s time for the Patriots to begin looking ahead to free agency.
Internally, Mike Vrabel’s team is in good shape, as only a handful of key contributors are set to become unrestricted free agents. New England also has four restricted free agents and one exclusive rights free agent.
So who could be on the move in March?
Here’s a look at New England’s pending free agents:
Unrestricted free agents
DE K’Lavon Chaisson
Age: 26
A Jaguars first-rounder in 2020, Chaisson has realized his potential in Mike Vrabel’s defense. The edge rusher set career highs in sacks (7.5), quarterback hits (18) and tackles for loss (10) during the regular season.
He raised his profile even higher when the playoffs began, as Chaisson registered 16 pressures per Next Gen Stats, second most in the postseason, and sacked opposing quarterbacks three times. Given his age, Chaisson has put himself in position to cash in on the open market.
S Jaylinn Hawkins
Age: 28
Another veteran who delivered a career year in 2025, Hawkins won a starting safety job in training camp, making both Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers expendable. A key piece in Vrabel’s secondary, Hawkins barely came off the field, and made it known that he’d like to return in 2026.
“This stings, man,” Hawkins said after the Super Bowl loss in Santa Clara. “We’re all in it together. We lost together. We’re going to remember this and get back next year.”
TE Austin Hooper
Age: 31
A serviceable No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry, Hooper caught 21 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. It wouldn’t be a shock if Vrabel opts to get younger at the position in the draft, as New England didn’t have much youth behind the two veterans on the depth chart.
DT Khyiris Tonga
Age: 29
A steady, under-the-radar, Tonga was impactful for the Patriots in all three phases. The stout defensive lineman also moonlighted at fullback and was a key contributor on field goal team.
Tonga will turn 30 in July and is a favorite of Vrabel’s. Walking into Super Bowl 60, the coach wore a traditional Polynesian lei that was gifted to him by Tonga’s mother.
LB Jack Gibbens
Age: 27
Nicknamed “Dr. Gibby” by Vrabel for his knack for having all the answers to pop quizzes, Gibbens played for the coach in Tennessee, too. The quick linebacker registered 81 tackles and started eight games in 2025 and was a dependable spot starter when Robert Spillane was hobbled by an ankle injury.
T Vederian Lowe
Age: 26
A swing tackle this season, Lowe filled in admirably when Will Campbell missed four games with an MCL injury. He didn’t play well enough to stay a full-time starter after 2024, but with four seasons on his NFL resume, Lowe provides valuable depth and may still have room to grow at 26.
Restricted Free Agents
QB Tommy DeVito, T Yasir Durant, CB Alex Austin, DT Jaquelin Roy
The ball is firmly in Vrabel’s court when it comes to these four players.
The Patriots can offer tenders to restricted free agents at various price points. There are first-round, second-round, and right of first refusal qualifying offers. Essentially, if the RFA signs elsewhere, New England will recoup whichever draft pick. With right of first refusal, the Patriots have a chance to match any offer the player intends to sign.
For next year, OverTheCap projects the tenders at $8.1 million (first round), $5.8 million (second round) and $3.5 million (right of first refusal). If a player opts to just accept the tender, it’s essentially a one-year deal at that number.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
TE/FB Jack Westover, DE Isaiah Iton, RB Deneric Prince
The Patriots only need to offer these players a league-minimum contract and they’ll return.
