New England Patriots Have 28 Unrestricted Free Agents in 2025

The New England Patriots continue to make moves in 2024 NFL free agency. Over the past ten days, they have brought aboard newcomers Armon Watts, Nick Leverett, K.J. Osborn, and Jaylinn Hawkins. There are still four Patriots players still sitting on the open market, not including transition-tagged Kyle Dugger who has yet to agree to a contract. However, the 2025 NFL offseason looks to be even busier for the New England Patriots.

As of now, there are 32 New England Patriots players set to become unrestricted free agents in 2025. New England needs to figure out which players are part of their long-term plans and prevent them from hitting the open market. Working out extensions now would ease the burden a year from now, and give Patriots fans some progress to feel good about.

A look at those set to become UFAs next March, by position.

Quarterbacks (1)

Jacoby Brissett

Brissett will battle Bailey Zappe (RFA) to be the Patriots starter this season. New England drafting a rookie and future franchise QB is still the presumptive move in the NFL Draft. Brissett and Zappe aren’t just auditioning for playing time this season. Whoever gets the starting nod could parlay their 2023 performance into a nice payday elsewhere. Otherwise, they need to show they are capable of being a mentor to this year’s rookie, who will likely be the starter by 2025.

Running Backs (3)

Rhamondre Stevenson, JaMychal Hasty, Ke’Shawn Vaughn

Stevenson is the Patriots starting running back. There was a lot of movement in this year’s free agent market at the position. New England added Antonio Gibson in free agency, and will likely use a draft pick on a running back as well. Stevenson getting an extension could give the position clarity beyond 2024.

Wide Receivers (2)

K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor

Both players were signed during free agency this time around. Osborn came from Minnesota, while Reagor returns from last season’s squad. New England has five wide receivers under contract for 2025 already, plus two exclusive rights free agents. They will also be looking to add a playmaker in the draft.

Tight End (1)

Austin Hooper

Another position the Patriots will look to add depth in the draft. Hunter Henry is locked up for the next three seasons. But Hooper is a UFA and La’Michael Pettway is an ERFA next year. New England needs to add to their tight ends group.

Offensive Tackles (3)

Chukwuma Okorafor, Calvin Anderson, Conor McDermott

Like the quarterback situation, one of these players is likely to find themselves as the New England Patriots starting left tackle in 2024. There is still a chance they add a free agent (Charles Leno Jr.) or draft somebody capable of stepping in immediately. At this point, like the other positions covered, it appears Eliot Wolf will have more work to do a year from now. Fortunately for New England, their right tackle is locked up for a while in Mike Onwenu.

Interior Offensive Line (3)

David Andrews, Nick Leverett, Michael Jordan

Andrews is the longtime starting center, team captain, and one of New England’s two longest-tenured players. He was a huge fan of Bill Belichick (and vice versa) so there is potential for him to join his former coach is Belichick lands elsewhere in 2025. There is also a possibility of retirement for Andrews on the horizon, as he enters his tenth NFL season. As of now, Jake Andrews is the only other center on the roster. Leverett and Jordan were both signed this offseason. The Patriots do have some depth at guard,  making this a less urgent situation.

Defensive Line (5)

Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale, Trysten Hill

A lot of big bodies on the interior defensive line could be headed to free agency in 2025. Armon Watts was recently signed to a one-year deal. Eduale will look to return from a season-ending injury in 2023. Davon Godchaux has a large cap hit but has been a productive player. Renegotiating his deal to add extra time should be on the table. Extending Christian Barmore might be the top priority for the Patriots at the moment. He is a cornerstone of the defense that should be locked up long-term. New England will need to pay big money to retain his services, but losing him in free agency is the subtraction of talent this franchise cannot afford. Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan broke down a potential Barmore extension,

Here's my proposed deal to Christian Barmore. pic.twitter.com/jlRmENH9tw

— Patscap's Patriots Cap Space Number is in Bio (@patscap) March 22, 2024

Linebackers (4)

Matthew Judon, Jahlani Tavai, Josh Uche, Raekwon McMillan

Having Judon, Tavai, and Uche all hit free agency next season is going to cost the New England Patriots dearly if they are looking to retain all three. Judon is the lone Pro Bowl player on the Patriots over the past two seasons. Tavai won the Tom Brady Award as team MVP in 2023. Uche is gambling on himself to have a big bounceback season and cash in next offseason. There are rumors of New England working on an extension for Judon, but Tavai is a valuable asset that should be discussed as well.

Cornerbacks (3)

Jonathan Jones, Shaun Wade, Marco Wilson

Christian Gonzalez is locked in as New England’s top corner for the foreseeable future, assuming he stays healthy. These three should all be given ample opportunity to earn snaps in 2024. Jonathan Jones has been a steady performer for the Patriots for several years. He is a productive player and a great veteran presence on the team as well. It is hard to imagine New England not attempting to retain his services, barring a dramatic drop in performance. Wade and Wilson could both significantly increase their value with a big year. There is not necessarily much for the Patriots to do here at this point (short of adding another veteran or prospect in the draft) but it will be important for them to maintain some depth. Injuries and other issues (Jack Jones, J.C. Jackson) decimated their cornerback depth last season.

Safeties (3)

Kyle Dugger*, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins

Dugger’s status is still unknown. If he signs the one-year transition tag contract he will be eligible to hit the market again in 2025. Jabrill Peppers is a popular and productive player whose contract expires after this coming season. Jaylinn Hawkins was recently signed to a one-year deal, putting him back on the market next year as well. With Marte Mapu and Joshuah Bledsoe (ERFA) the only safeties under team control beyond this season, working on some extensions here would be wise for New England.