The Patriots' 2025 offseason heats up as Mike Vrabel signs Stefon Diggs, Harold Landry & Carlton Davis. See how this aggressive rebuild aims to compete now.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Forget the quiet days of June. The New England Patriots are making noise, aggressively reshaping their roster under new head coach Mike Vrabel. In a flurry of activity, the team shored up its defense by signing edge rusher Harold Landry and cornerback Carlton Davis, while simultaneously taking a high-stakes gamble on superstar receiver Stefon Diggs, signaling a clear intent to compete immediately.
I'm all for trying to make the roster better any chance that we can.
The defensive overhaul continued at a rapid pace as the Patriots secured two key starters. The signing of former Titan edge rusher Harold Landry reunites him with Mike Vrabel and provides a much-needed veteran presence on the line. He's joined by cornerback Carlton Davis, a physical defender expected to lock down a starting role in the secondary. These moves are the latest in a concerted effort to rebuild the front seven, a group that already drew praise from Vrabel for its energy during the team's recent minicamp. The early returns suggest a faster, more aggressive Patriots defense is on the horizon for 2025.
In the biggest splash of the offseason, the Patriots signed veteran receiver Stefon Diggs. The move isn't without its questions, as Bleacher Report labeled it one of the 'riskiest' of the offseason due to Diggs' recovery from a 2024 ACL tear. However, the front office structured a team-friendly deal: 3 years for $69 million, loaded with per-game bonuses and incentives, and a potential out after the first season. Early reports on his recovery are positive, and if he returns to form, he provides quarterback Drake Maye with the bona fide number one target this offense has desperately needed.
In fantastic news for the defensive line, tackle Christian Barmore has been medically cleared to resume all football activities after a scary bout with blood clots last year. Barmore's return is a massive boost for the interior defense. He was quick to praise his new head coach for his role in the recovery, highlighting the supportive culture Vrabel is building. 'Mike Vrabel is a guy that I can talk to,' Barmore said. 'Every time I talk to him, he's there for me... he picked me up, and I really respect that.'
With an open roster spot remaining, the Patriots are far from finished. The team is reportedly active on the trade market, monitoring situations around the league for potential upgrades, with Washington's Terry McLaurin being a name floated in rumors. This aggressive pursuit of talent aligns perfectly with the team's draft strategy, where personnel chief Eliot Wolf used the first four picks on offense to build around Drake Maye. Whether through trade or free agency, it's clear the Patriots are determined to use every available avenue to add another impact player before training camp begins.
The message from Foxboro is loud and clear: the Patriots are not sitting idle. With a fortified defense, a high-upside offensive weapon in Diggs, and the potential for yet another significant trade, all eyes now turn to training camp. The Vrabel era is defined by action, and the team that takes the field in September could look even stronger than the one making headlines today.
