NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2026 offseason, with analysis from our NFL nation reporters and grades from our experts.
The new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agents can be made official after that. The first round of the 2026 NFL draft begins April 23 on ESPN.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2026 NFL free agent signing by the New England Patriots and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Jump to a top-50 free agent: Romeo Doubs
Doubs is signing a four-year deal worth up to $80 million — per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler.
What it means: The 6-foot-2, 201-pound Doubs represents the Patriots’ big swing in free agency to give QB Drake Maye a top weapon. That would presumably rule out a trade for Eagles WR A.J. Brown at this time. Doubs, 25, is coming off a season in which he totaled 55 catches for 724 yards and six TDs for the Green Bay Packers.
Doubs joins a depth chart with Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism III. He has excelled as a possession-type receiver, showing up on third down and in the red zone. Doubs was suspended by the Packers for one game in the 2024 season — when he missed two days of practice and meetings — which is something that the Patriots surely vetted when considering how he would fit into their team culture.
Vera-Tucker agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with the Patriots, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
What it means: After the Patriots agreed to trade starting center Garrett Bradbury to the Bears for a 2027 fifth-round pick, it opened the door to move Jared Wilson from left guard to center — and bumped left guard up the list of team needs. Enter Vera-Tucker. The Patriots are banking on his return to health to slot him between Will Campbell at left tackle and Wilson at center, which would solidify the protection in front of quarterback Drake Maye. The team still has fourth-year player Ben Brown as a top interior backup and could also use one of its 11 draft picks at the position to continue to build depth and competition, which has been one of the team’s offseason goals.
The Patriots agreed to a three-year, $39.5 million contract with Jones, according to NFL Network.
What it means: One offseason priority was to address the edge and pass rush, and Jones (6-foot-3, 281 pounds) is a step in that direction. The Patriots saw him twice last season — first as a Titan and later as a Raven — and Jones registered a sack of quarterback Drake Maye in each game.
Jones, 29, is entering his eighth NFL season. He played at Ohio State and was drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 2019 draft. His addition sparks a question on whether the Patriots will also bring back edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, who is lighter and quicker than Jones but not as sturdy at the line of scrimmage.
Gilliam agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $12 million with $6 million fully guaranteed, according to NFL Network.
What it means: The 6-foot, 244-pound Gilliam is a physical tone-setter who should help in the running game on offense and on special teams. His smash-mouth style of play, and the Patriots identifying him early in free agency, highlights how the coaching staff pinpointed that as a missing ingredient in 2025. Gilliam will earn $4.4 million in 2026, which reflects how the Patriots view him as a roster lock in his seventh NFL season.
Gilliam played 21% of the offensive snaps in Buffalo last season and 77% on special teams. His presence could challenge second-year player Jack Westover to stick on the roster.
