Looking at the Patriots 2026 - Iron Sharpens Iron

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spacecrime

spacecrime

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Thanks for the weak schedule last year, NFL, but thanks even more for a tough schedule in 2026, because this time we’ll be ready to play in the 2026 Superbowl. Iron sharpens iron.

2026? Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear….for those who didn't watch 1950's westerns, it’s time to return to go back to being perennial contenders and what better way to start than to hit the playoffs after facing a tough schedule.

A brief moment…It was a great run, better than any of us expected in 2025. Just one game short. But we have a great team, a young team, and only a couple of players who’ll be free agents worthy of re-signing, and a bucketload of money to sign new free agents.

We’re on to 2026.
 
It's a whole new ball game now.The thing that the SB showed is where our issues are.We have far many positives than negatives , so thankful for that.Compared to two seasons ago , we're rich.Our draft postion isn't exactly enviable but it is what it is.Coach will have to look at the O line and see if there is anything to be salvaged there.We will have to see how Drake responds to this loss.He was aweful young to be put in the position he reached and sometimes mental demons are worse than physical injuries.
 
Tonga, Hawkins and Chaisson have to be priority for next year.

Pats sit in a great position of having cap space, being a young team and having an amazing turnaround.

OL will have to be a point of emphasis. All year they were a weak spot but it became apparent most against tough opponents.

Campbell had a solid rookie year but was mostly underwhelming in the playoffs. I still think he's the tackle of the future no matter what all the criticism he's getting. It could be an injury preventing him from playing to his ability.

I remember when Pats lost in the dynasty years Matt Light would be a constant scapegoat. He turned out alright. I hope it's the same with Campbell.

Defensively I'd say more depth would be nice.

Offensively, possibly a RT and if an upgrade at LG is possible, too. A playmaker TE and a young WR to groom. Maybe Williams takes on a larger role next season.

Lots to build from. This year will show the team's mindset after such a difficult loss. With a top team schedule there could be growing pains, but with the right mindset they will tough it out.
 
Sort that O Line out and everything else falls into place. We have a top-tier defence, very good ST, and a great QB who is still learning, with some decent weapons around him. The O Line is everything. Find Drake a pro-bowl calibre left tackle and we're golden.
 
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On the alignment subject, if true, no one on the Pats staff recognized this?
 
Unless they all get resigned by their respective teams, which probably half will, this could be a decent year for LT in free agency. Right now there are abut 6 guys set to be FAs who would be an upgrade over Campbell.
 
rivshark86 said:
Unless they all get resigned by their respective teams, which probably half will, this could be a decent year for LT in free agency. Right now there are abut 6 guys set to be FAs who would be an upgrade over Campbell.
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The team already knows if injury is his problem or not and what they do in FA will tell us if that is the case. Wouldn't be surprised if he turns out having surgery in the next couple weeks.
 
Looks like an awful year for Receiver and Tight end in free agency.
 
SkiptoMyLou said:
Tonga, Hawkins and Chaisson have to be priority for next year.

Pats sit in a great position of having cap space, being a young team and having an amazing turnaround.

OL will have to be a point of emphasis. All year they were a weak spot but it became apparent most against tough opponents.

Campbell had a solid rookie year but was mostly underwhelming in the playoffs. I still think he's the tackle of the future no matter what all the criticism he's getting. It could be an injury preventing him from playing to his ability.

I remember when Pats lost in the dynasty years Matt Light would be a constant scapegoat. He turned out alright. I hope it's the same with Campbell.

Defensively I'd say more depth would be nice.

Offensively, possibly a RT and if an upgrade at LG is possible, too. A playmaker TE and a young WR to groom. Maybe Williams takes on a larger role next season.

Lots to build from. This year will show the team's mindset after such a difficult loss. With a top team schedule there could be growing pains, but with the right mindset they will tough it out.
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Tonga, Hawkins and Chaisson have to be priority for next year. This would be nice. I'll add that money needs to be allocated for an extension for Gonzo next year.

OL will have to be a point of emphasis. For both coaching and personnel.
Campbell had a solid rookie year but was mostly underwhelming in the playoffs. Important decision on Campbell for next year coming up. Wilson, too. Coaches and FO need to be honest in their assessments of why Campbell's performance fell off badly - injury, rookie wall, overall strength and technique - all are possibilities.

A playmaker TE and a young WR to groom. Henry was disappointing towards the end of the year. Draft his replacement if possible. We need upgrades for better separation in our receiving corps for sure. Need mismatches again. This is a good draft for receivers. Kyle Williams needs a huge 2nd year leap. Hollins and Boutte can stay. Diggs was good in some games but disappeared in others. Douglas was used too sparingly, imo.
 
I don't know why you guys are dwelling on Campbell as if he was the only one to get his ass whipped last night. He did, so did the LG, the OC, the RG, and the RT.
Every one of them got pushed back or beaten, it wasn't just Campbell.
I agree that Campbell was awful last night. Was he awful before his injury?
Had Mike thought he had a better option on the bench, maybe Campbell wouldn't have been activated off IR.
I don’t care if next year he's moved inside if that is the better option for the team. Before that happens there needs to be a better option at OLT. Right now, there is none.
 
I can’t say enough good things about the defense, if it weren’t for them this could have been an even uglier loss. Is there a better corner in the NFL than Gonzo, I don’t think so.
This loss definitely sucked but it doesn’t hurt near as much as that first loss to the Giants in 07/08. Fix the o line, get another big name receiver and te and they should be golden.
 
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ParanoidPatriot said:
I don't know why you guys are dwelling on Campbell as if he was the only one to get his ass whipped last night. He did, so did the LG, the OC, the RG, and the RT.
Every one of them got pushed back or beaten, it wasn't just Campbell.
I agree that Campbell was awful last night. Was he awful before his injury?
Had Mike thought he had a better option on the bench, maybe Campbell wouldn't have been activated off IR.
I don’t care if next year he's moved inside if that is the better option for the team. Before that happens there needs to be a better option at OLT. Right now, there is none.
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This is why I don't want to hop on the "replace Campbell" train. The OL as a whole was absolutely dominated from the first snap and it got worse as the game went on.

I lost count of how many time Drake Maye had the pocket collapse on him quickly.

This showed a crutch he kept relying on which was holding onto the ball too long to make a play.

After a while he appeared so uncomfortable he couldn't even make throws he would routinely make during the season.

It could be a bad game and maybe some pieces could be upgraded. But it's also not a reason to overreact and dump everyone.

If this team can band together and survive the SB loss hangover they may be fine. All in all it was live experience for a pretty inexperienced team as a whole.

We'll see how this shapes the off-season and if it warrants any moves.
 
ParanoidPatriot said:
I don't know why you guys are dwelling on Campbell as if he was the only one to get his ass whipped last night. He did, so did the LG, the OC, the RG, and the RT.
Every one of them got pushed back or beaten, it wasn't just Campbell.
I agree that Campbell was awful last night. Was he awful before his injury?
Had Mike thought he had a better option on the bench, maybe Campbell wouldn't have been activated off IR.
I don’t care if next year he's moved inside if that is the better option for the team. Before that happens there needs to be a better option at OLT. Right now, there is none.
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Josh McD and Marrone deserve prominent mention when discussing who could have done better. The offense lacked imagination and the OL couldn't account for their base D from the left or for Witherspoon blitzing from the right. It looked ugly and Maye was caught in the blender. Campbell gave up 14 pressures on Maye. Campbell's performance deserves thorough scrutiny.
 
AkPatsFan said:
I can’t say enough good things about the defense, if it weren’t for them this could have been an even uglier loss. Is there a better corner in the NFL than Gonzo, I don’t think so.
This loss defensively sucked but it doesn’t hurt near as much as that first loss to the Giants in 07/08. Fix the o line, get another big name receiver and te and they should be golden.
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Couldn't agree more. And for most of the season, I felt Gonzo has been good but not great. Last night he was all-worldly.
 
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