New England Patriots Depth Chart
- AFC East
- Stadium
- Gillette Stadium
- Head Coach
- Jerod Mayo
- Offensive Coordinator
- Alex Van Pelt
- Defensive Coordinator
- DeMarcus Covington
- Special Teams Coach
- Jeremy Springer
- Defensive Scheme
- 3-4
Former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris announced his retirement from professional football on Monday at age 27. The Patriots selected Harris in the third round (87th overall) in the 2019 NFL draft out of Alabama, and he had 449 rushing attempts for 2,094 yards and 20 touchdowns in his four years in New England in 38 regular-season games (34 starts) while adding 40 receptions on 51 targets for an additional 281 receiving yards. Harris spent the 2023 campaign with the Buffalo Bills but played in only six games before suffering a season-ending concussion/neck injury that saw him be taken off the field in an ambulance. He'll end his NFL career after just five seasons, recording 2,188 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 427 carries with the Pats and Bills.
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett could absolutely be the team's starting QB next season, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. The Patriots don't have much to offer in the quarterback department right now, which gives Brissett a strong chance. Brissett began his career with the Patriots after being taken by them in the 3rd round of the 2016 Draft. Since then, Brissett has bounced around quite a bit. He has started on multiple teams but seems to lose the starting job as quickly as he gets it. His only competition right now is Bailey Zappe, so Brissett is likely to start right now. However, there is a strong chance that the Patriots use the No. 3 overall pick in the draft to select a franchise quarterback. That being said, Brissett might start the season under center until the rookie is ready to take over.
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said quarterback is "the priority right now" with the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, but he also said "all the options are still open to us." Many pundits are predicting the Patriots will use their highest pick since 1993 to draft a potential franchise signal-caller, especially considering the talent at the position in this year's class. The QB position has remained a question since Tom Brady left in 2020, but it's still possible Mayo and the Pats go in another direction with the third overall pick. New England took Mac Jones 15th overall in 2021. He led them to a playoff appearance in his first season, but his stint with the team ended with eight wins in the last two years before he was traded to Jacksonville. If the Pats decide to avoid a QB at No. 3 overall, the best bet would be them trading back in the first round.
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo and director of scouting Eliot Wolf were among those from the organization attending USC's pro day last Wednesday and then Michigan's pro day on Friday, giving them a closer look at quarterbacks Caleb Williams (USC) and J.J. McCarthy (Michigan). Mayo and Wolf will likely be at LSU's pro day this Wednesday for Jayden Daniels and at North Carolina's on Thursday to watch Drake Maye. Many pundits project the Patriots taking a QB with the No. 3 overall pick in next month's NFL draft, and their scouting schedule only reinforces that thought. New England move on from Mac Jones this offseason, trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and are fully expected to bring in a rookie signal-caller in the draft to compete with Jacoby Brissett for the starting gig in 2024.
The New England Patriots and former Atlanta Falcons/Los Angeles Chargers safety Jaylinn Hawkins agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, according to a source. Hawkins' deal qualifies for the veteran salary benefit. If he makes the team, he would be paid a base salary based on his credited seasons (four) but count less on the salary cap. The 26-year-old was a former fourth-round pick by the Falcons in 2020 out of California and spent last year with both the Falcons and Chargers, finishing with 14 tackles (six solo) in 16 games (three starts). He will operate as a depth option for New England's secondary in 2024 behind Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger. In his five-year NFL career, Hawkins has 135 tackles (72 solo), half a sack, four interceptions, 10 passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in 58 games (25 starts).