Searching for Patriots pass rush? Look inside.

It is no secret that the Patriots are thin at defensive end. Free agent signing Dre’Mont Jones and rookie Gabe Jacas join a group that is returning Harold Landry and Elijah Ponder. Landry, Jones and Ponder combined for 114 pressures last regular season.

For reference, the top three edge rushers on the Denver Broncos, whom New England played in the AFC Championship Game, combined for 151 pressures in 2025. The Patriots are hoping Jacas can help fill the void left by K’Lavon Chaisson, New England’s best edge pass rusher from a year ago. However, Jacas just began practicing after a contract dispute with the team and has a big hill to climb as a rookie. So that begs the question, where will the Patriots pass rush come from?

For the answer, just follow the money. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore both have massive contracts and the team will be relying on both defensive tackles to generate pressure. Williams was arguably the team’s best defensive player last year, generating 36 pressures in only 12 regular season games, and one of those games was cut short due to injury. Barmore had a healthy season and generated 50 pressures from the interior while third-year pro Cory Durden chipped in with 17 pressures in his first chance to play extended snaps in the NFL.

There is a debate in NFL and coaching circles about which pressure is most difficult to handle, edge pressure or interior pressure. Based off recent moves, it seems several NFL teams, including the Patriots, are leaning more on interior pressure. In addition to the contracts the Patriots gave Williams and Barmore, the Eagles signed defensive tackle Jalen Carter to a four-year, $152 million contract extension, and the Bengals traded the 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence. The Chiefs have built their defense around Chris Jones, and the Titans’ Jeffrey Simmons was called “one of the best players in the league” by Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels last season.

Elite defensive ends pose many problems for offenses, but they are easier to negate than an elite defensive tackle. You can run at a great defensive end to wear him out or step up in the pocket to avoid a burst off the edge. Teams will also gameplan to get rid of the ball quickly, which the Patriots have often done in the past. For example, in the 2019 season opener against the Steelers and TJ Watt, Tom Brady averaged 2.45 seconds to throw. The ball was often out of his hands before Watt could create any pressure. Watt finished that game with a respectable seven pressures, but it was one of only three games in 2019 that he did not record a sack.

Mitigating an elite defensive tackle isn’t as easy. Running at them can lead to stuffed runs, and unless your quarterback is mobile, there isn’t much that can be done to avoid them if they blow up a passing play. Speaking from my own coaching experience, game-planning for elite defensive tackles always concerned me and many other coaches more than an elite defensive end.

The Patriots have taken a gamble in 2026 that Jacas and Jones will both stay healthy and be big pass rush contributors at defensive end. Regardless of whether or not that gamble pays off, the Patriots pass rush will be driven largely by the play of their defensive tackles. As recent history has shown, it can be a winning strategy.