With the NFL’s legal tampering period for free agency opening on Monday, a bevy of big name moves were quick to hit the news wire.
While the Patriots were quick to sign edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones and fullback Reggie Gilliam, they also watched as members of their 2025 AFC Championship-winning roster reportedly signed elsewhere.
For some of these players, their departure was always a foregone conclusion. For others, fans will be wondering why they’re gone, and who New England plans on replacing them with.
Here’s the latest on who will be playing elsewhere in 2026:
- As first reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe has agreed to a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers worth a maximum of $12 million, with $5.75 million guaranteed. Lowe spent three seasons in New England, appearing in 42 games with 25 starts. He started a career-high 13 games in 2024, but was reduced to mostly a backup role on the offensive line this past season.
- According to multiple media reports, former Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, leaving New England after two seasons. In 2025, Hooper caught 21 balls for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns while appearing in 16 games as the team’s No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry. The 31-year-old returns to Atlanta, the team he started his NFL career with (2016-19). Hooper was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Falcons in 2018 and 2019, and was a rookie on their 2016 squad that lost to the Patriots in Super Bowl 51.
- According to multiple media reports, former Patriots defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga has agreed to terms on a three-year, $21 million deal with the Chiefs, with $14 million in guaranteed money. Tonga, who spent just one season with the Patriots, was a key contributor to a New England front seven that was among the best in the NFL at stopping the run when fully healthy throughout the regular season and postseason. In 14 games, Tonga amassed 24 tackles (9 solo) while playing nose tackle, and also appeared on offense in a fullback role in certain jumbo packages. Multiple media outlets have reported that Tonga and the Patriots were close to a deal back in December, but that things fell apart as they approached the finish line.
- In case you missed it, reports came down last week that the Patriots would be parting ways with wide receiver Stefon Diggs, saving the team more than $20 million against the salary cap, as well as $6 million in guaranteed money they were scheduled to pay him on Friday. The 32-year-old signed with New England last spring after tearing his ACL midseason in 2024, and led all Patriots’ pass catchers in receiving yards in 2025 (1,013). He was arraigned in Dedham District Court last month on a felony charge of strangulation and suffocation, which stems from an alleged incident involving a personal employee over the winter.
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest on the Patriots’ offseason.