New England

Patriots

He links them to Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers in a mock draft filed a few days before the actual event, and notes that they need someone to complement the “all-around play of Hunter Henry and the blocking prowess of Julian Hill.” The Patriots never replaced Austin Hooper, who fled to the Falcons in free agency. A Day 2 pick on a receiving tight end — Stowers or otherwise — could cut into Henry’s TE1 odds in 2026.

After redshirting much of his rookie season, Boutte has totaled 76 receptions for 1,140 yards and nine touchdowns over the last two seasons while playing primarily as a deep threat on the outside. Boutte posted a 33-551-6 line last season on 46 targets, and among players with at least 45 targets, his 17.5 ADOT ranked third-highest in the league behind Alec Pierce (20.0) and Christian Watson (18.0). The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs earlier this offseason and remain the frontrunners to trade for A.J. Brown this summer. Should Brown land with the Pats, Boutte could become an expendable player with some trade value as he looks to impress in the final year of his rookie deal in hopes of securing a new contract next offseason.

The Eagles begin their offseason workout program on Monday, but Brown is not expected to report to the team, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Brown has long been rumored to be a player on the move this offseason, with the Patriots viewed as the most likely landing spot over the last few months. While talks have stalled between the two sides as of late, Schefter reports that “conversations are expected to resume shortly on or before June 1,” which would allow the Eagles to split the $40 million cap hit between 2026 and 2027 rather than taking it all on in one season. While another suitor could still emerge for Brown’s services, the Patriots are the clear-cut leader in the clubhouse to land the star receiver.

McCarthy said that the NFL would not be reviewing whether Vrabel violated its personal conduct policy, which states that players, coaches and executives must not engage in “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in” the NFL. Photos of Vrabel and Russini at a luxury hotel in Arizona led to an internal investigation from the Athletic and Russini’s eventual resignation earlier this week. Vrabel told the New York Post the photos show a completely innocent interaction, but otherwise he and the Patriots have declined to comment on the matter. The 50-year-old head coach skipped a pre-draft press conference earlier this week, but will be in attendance for next week’s NFL Draft.

When asked about the possibility of the Patriots acquiring A.J. Brown, Wolf opted to go with the broad answer while refusing to shut the door on the idea of a trade eventually being worked out with the Eagles. The Patriots remain the team most likely to acquire Brown at some point in the offseason, but talks have stalled as of late. There’s some belief that Brown will ultimately be dealt to the Patriots in June, when the salary-cap situation becomes more tenable for the Eagles to consider such a trade. For now, we will continue to wait and see, but don’t rule out the possibility of the Pats adding a high-impact receiver to help Drake Maye before training camp.

Bowen last served as the Giants’ defensive coordinator, but was fired last season following a Week 12 blowout loss to the Lions after blowing yet another 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. Bowen spent six seasons with Mike Vrabel in Tennessee, serving as his outside linebackers coach (2018-2020) before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021.

Mapu will take over a backup LB roster spot and play on special teams for the Texans. He was set to be released prior to this trade, per several media reports. Mapu enters the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.

The Bills drafted Gilmore with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He remained in Buffalo until 2017, when he signed with the Patriots in free agency. Gilmore enjoyed the best seasons of his career in New England, winning Super Bowl LII in 2018. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2018 and 2019, and co-led the NFL in interceptions while also winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2016 and 2018-2021. He spent one-year stints with the Panthers, Colts, Cowboys and Vikings from 2021-2024. Gilmore logged 149 passes defended, 32 interceptions, 617 combined tackles and one sack in his NFL career.

Far from a dismissal. The Patriots have been the obvious landing spot for Brown for some time. A trade may need to wait until after June 1 for Philadelphia’s cap purposes. Nothing the Eagles have done to this point has firmly planted the idea that they’re going to keep Brown, so it feels like this will eventually happen even if nobody is out-and-out saying it will happen. The cost is the major impediment, as Eagles GM Howie Roseman will (rightfully) ask for the moon for his superstar wideout.

Hudson is a five-year vet of the league who has started 19 of the 60 games he has appeared in. He has never made more than seven starts in a season and will likely compete for a depth spot on the Patriots’ offensive line this upcoming season. Hudson committed a penalty on four-straight plays last season and has been penalized 16 times in his last 31 games.