How does a team go from four wins one season to reaching the Super Bowl the next?
It could be coaching. It could be the quarterback. It could be a roster overhaul. Or it could be all of the above.
In the case of the 2025-26 New England Patriots, the answer is the latter.
Armed with a bevy of cap space and the fourth-overall pick while having the QB and head coach solved, the Pats remodelled and rebranded their roster into a top-five unit on both sides of the ball, dominating their way to a 12th Super Bowl appearance.
With the team in search of another ring, here's a deep dive into how the AFC champions were built.
Building through the draft
The Patriots' front office has done a solid job the past few years at building a solid foundation throughout the draft process. But successful drafting goes far beyond first-round blue-chip prospects. Hitting on Day 2 and 3 picks significantly increases the quality of depth on the roster, and if the players contribute early on, the organization has more money to play with due to the low salaries down the board.
That being said, let's start in the first round with the Pats' top player and potential league MVP in Drake Maye.
The Pats selected the quarterback third overall in the 2024 draft, and to say the pick was a home run is still selling it short. In his first full season as the starter, Maye finished amongst the league leaders in passing yards (fourth most with 4,394) and touchdowns (third most with 31), while completing a NFL-best 72 per cent of his passes.
The 23-year-old was also extremely effective on the ground, rushing for 450 yards and four scores.
Safe to say, the Patriots found their franchise guy under centre.
On the other side of the ball, cornerback Christian Gonzalez stands out as the biggest hit among draft picks. The 17th-overall pick in 2023 has been a stud since Day 1, and currently stands as one of the top defensive backs in the sport.
Prior to the 2025 season, NFL executives, coaches and scouts ranked Gonzalez as the sixth-best corner in football, with some naming him at the top, according to ESPN.
This year, the 23-year-old allowed a league-low -9.7 yards over expected, per NextGenStats, which measures how many passing yards a defensive back allows compared to the amount an "average" defender would be expected to allow in the same situation. Gonzalez also surrendered just seven catches on 21 targets over the first two post-season games.
Now, New England's full draft history dating back to 2020 has been spotty at best, but aside from 2024 (they landed Maye, though), it managed to hit on at least one impact player every year from Days 2 or 3, at almost every position group, too.
In 2020, the Patriots selected offensive lineman Mike Onwenu in the sixth round. Since then, Onwenu has started 90 games, earned a hefty payday and was the seventh-highest rated guard in football this season, per Pro Football Focus.
The next season, defensive lineman Christian Barmore and running back Rhamondre Stevenson were selected with second- and fourth-round picks, respectively.
Barmore has turned into one of the premier interior d-linemen in the league, ranking in the top 10 in hurries (39), QB hits (nine) and pressures (50).
Stevenson has started 39 regular-season games over the last three seasons. He's coming off one of the most productive years of his five-year career, tallying 948 all-purpose yards with nine scores.
Cornerback Marcus Jones is the only player remaining on the squad from the 2022 draft class, and has blossomed into one of the best playmakers in the NFL.
This season, the former third-rounder logged two sacks, three interceptions (one returned for a score) and had two return touchdowns en route to being named a second-team All-Pro.
Then there's this past draft class, where New England's top five selections (OT Will Campbell, Round 1; RB TreVeyon Henderson, 2; WR Kyle Williams, 3; OG Jared Wilson, 3; S Craig Woodson, 4) have all played key roles this year.
Other notable draft hits: WRs Demario Douglas (6, 2023), Kayshon Boutte (6, 2023), P Bryce Baringer (6, 2023), K Andres Borregales (6, 2025), ST/DB Brenden Schooler (UDFA, 2022).
Free agent splashes
While drafting builds the foundation of an NFL roster, free agency is used to fill the remaining holes and put the roster over the top. Take the 2014 Denver Broncos off-season as an example.
Just months after being embarrassed by the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII, John Elway and co. went out and signed stars Emmanuel Sanders, Demarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward. The result: a Lombardi a year later.
Or the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles, who spent a league-high $275 million guaranteed on free agents before winning the Super Bowl.
The Patriots went out and splurged in free agency in the off-season, doling out $209 million in guaranteed money. Now, roughly 11 months later, New England looks to be the second straight team to win the big game after spending the most in the off-season.
On offence, the prized signing was wideout Stefon Diggs. The four-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year, $63.5-million deal just months after tearing his ACL. But he's returned to form, becoming Maye's favourite target and posting 85 grabs for 1,013 yards and four scores.
Starting tight end Hunter Henry was also brought in via free agency, but back in 2021. The 10-year veteran has now spent half his career in Foxborough, totalling 2,973 yards and 26 touchdowns. His seven receiving scores this season led the team.
For as good as Diggs has been this season, Barmore's running mate, Milton Williams, may have been the signing of the entire off-season.
Lured with a major four-year, $104-million deal, Williams has been instrumental in re-shaping the Pats' defence into a powerhouse unit.
A Super Bowl champ last season with the Eagles, Williams logged 3.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and eight QB hits. The Patriots also own the top rushing defence while he's in the lineup, holding backs to 1.3 less yards-per carry while he's on the field vs. out and are a perfect 12-0 with Williams and Gonzalez in the lineup.
"I feel like they brought me here for a reason and I try to show them why," said Williams after the AFC Championship. "I feel like I've done that, but I want to show them more."
Both of New England's leading sack-getters were also brought in this off-season. Harold Landry posted a team-best 8.5 sacks after being handed $43.5 million, while K'Lavon Chaisson was right behind him with 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
On the back end, corner Carlton Davis has shone with three picks this post-season after signing a three-year contract, while safety Jaylinn Hawkins led the squad with five total takeaways in his first season wearing Patriots blue.
Other notable free agent signings: OT Morgan Moses (2025), OC Garrett Bradbury (2025), WR Mack Hollins (2025), TE Austin Hooper (2024), DT Khyiris Tonga (2025), LB Robert Spillane (2025).
No wheeling and dealing
Recently, trades haven't been the forte in Foxborough. Among the key contributors to the 2025-26 Patriots roster, no players were brought in via trade, although a few were sent packing. Prior to the trade deadline this season, the Patriots sent defensive end Keion White to San Francisco and safety Kyle Dugger to Pittsburgh, receiving sixth-round picks in return.
New England also traded defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to New Orleans last March for a seventh-rounder.
However, one impact player was acquired by the Pats, although as a waiver claim. That would be linebacker Christian Elliss, who started 13 games this season after making only seven over his first five seasons.
Coach of the year?
You can't talk about this Patriots season without mentioning head coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel returned to the place he called home for eight seasons as an NFL linebacker, and is back in the Super Bowl — a familiar place for the three-time champ.
His hiring on Jan. 12, 2025, signalled that the Pats were ready for a culture change and ready to compete again. The free agent and draft class haul the Coach of the Year finalist brought in was the most impactful one the Pats have had in years, and adding that to Maye is what helped get the franchise back to glory.
Even with a loss in the Super Bowl on Sunday, Vrabel's one-for-one.
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