OTAs (organized team activities) are underway for the New England Patriots, who return from a Super Bowl run with several key roster questions looming over the 2026 season.
While much of the attention this summer will center on head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye, here are five other storylines set to capture the attention of Patriots fans:
Living on the edge?
Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Patriots heading into this season is their edge-rush situation. New England lost K'Lavon Chiasson in free agency earlier this offseason. Still, it attempted to address the position by signing Dre'Mont Jones and using a second-round pick on Illinois standout Gabe Jacas.
The Patriots still return last season’s sack leader in Harold Landry, though his role noticeably declined as the year progressed. Landry finished the season with 8.5 sacks, but with the former Boston College Eagle set to turn 30 next year, he should not be guaranteed a starting role heading into training camp.
New England finished in the bottom third of the NFL in team sacks during the 2025 regular season, and while the interior defensive line appears solidified with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, there is still no clear long-term answer off the edge. The Patriots are hoping this summer brings much-needed clarity to one of the roster’s biggest concerns.
Could Will Campbell lose his job?
The Patriots used their first-round pick on Caleb Lomu, an offensive tackle out of the University of Utah. When a team drafts a tackle that high, the expectation is usually that he will step in as an immediate starter. The challenge for New England is that both tackle spots already appear occupied, with veteran Morgan Moses at right tackle and 2025 first-round pick Will Campbell holding down the left side.
The offensive line struggled throughout the postseason last year, but Campbell’s issues were especially noticeable, as he surrendered four sacks during the Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl. While the organization has not lost faith in the former No. 4 overall pick, patience could begin to wear thin if the LSU product's struggles continue.
Right now, the expectation is that Campbell and Moses will open the season as the Patriots’ starting bookends. But if either player struggles, or if Lomu adjusts to the NFL faster than expected, one of last year’s starting tackles could find himself on the bench by Week 1.
Second tight end
The Patriots lost veteran tight end Austin Hooper in free agency this spring after he returned to the Atlanta Falcons. Hooper finished last season with 21 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns. While the production was modest, he still provided value to the offense as a reliable secondary option behind Hunter Henry.
To help replace him, New England signed Julian Hill in free agency after the blocking tight end spent the first three seasons of his career in Miami. Hill has totaled just 33 receptions in the NFL, but his impact comes in the run game, where he brings physicality, athleticism, and a relentless mentality as a blocker. The Patriots also addressed the position in the NFL Draft, selecting Eli Raridon from Notre Dame. Unlike Hill, Raridon’s strength lies at receiver, where he can stretch the field and create mismatches downfield.
Around the league, offenses have continued shifting toward more 12- and 13-personnel packages, with teams like the Rams relying heavily on multiple-tight-end sets. Outside of Henry, however, the Patriots still lack proven production at the position, making the development of Hill and Raridon an important storyline heading into the season.
Who will be the lead running back?
Last season, the Patriots leaned on a running back-by-committee approach as they worked rookie TreVeyon Henderson into the offense alongside Rhamondre Stevenson. Henderson put together an impressive first-year campaign, rushing for 911 yards, which ranked 21st in the NFL, while his nine rushing touchdowns were tied for 11th in the league.
Stevenson, meanwhile, endured a rough start to the season due to ball security issues, losing three fumbles within the first five weeks. However, he responded well and cleaned up those problems over the remainder of the year, finishing the season on a strong note with six total touchdowns over the final three weeks.
The Patriots invested a second-round pick in Henderson during the 2025 NFL Draft, and as the season progressed, he became an increasingly important part of the offense. Entering his second year, New England could look to feature the former Ohio State standout even more heavily from the start of the season. Henderson brings explosiveness and game-breaking speed to an offense that otherwise lacks big-play ability, and a breakout sophomore campaign could be a major boost for the Patriots' offense in 2026.
Which receivers will make the team?
It feels like only a matter of time before A.J. Brown is wearing a Patriots uniform, and if New England does land the star receiver, difficult decisions will quickly follow in the wide receiver room. The Patriots already committed significant money to Romeo Doubs this offseason, signing him to a four-year, $68 million contract, which all but guarantees his place on the roster moving forward. Beyond that, however, there are major questions surrounding nearly every other receiver on the depth chart.
Kyle Williams flashed playmaking ability during his rookie season, but consistency remained an issue. The rookie caught just 47.6% of the passes thrown his way, a surprisingly low number considering Maye completed 72.0% of his passes in 2025.
DeMario “Pop” Douglas also saw his production decline following the addition of Stefon Diggs, and he now enters the final year of his rookie contract. Kayshon Boutte finds himself in a similar position, heading into the final year of his deal while also staying away from the Patriots facility throughout the spring and voluntary offseason workouts. Mack Hollins developed strong chemistry with Maye last season, but the arrival of a physical, dominant receiver like Brown could make his role far less essential.
