Patriots Rumors: NE ‘will be aggressive’ in 2025 NFL free agency to spend salary cap | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats and Rumors

The New England Patriots are expected to be active in free agency this upcoming offseason, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

“With the most cap space in the league next season (around $96 million, according to the roster management system), the Patriots are expected to be aggressive from a cap-building standpoint. a workforce,” Reiss wrote Monday.

It would also be a “surprise” if the team moves on from first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, according to Reiss.

New England sits at 3-11 in 2024, experiencing its share of growing pains under Mayo. The Patriots are currently in the midst of a four-game losing streak and have the second-worst offense in the NFL, averaging just 17 points per game.

New England’s defense doesn’t fare much better, allowing opponents to rack up 344.8 total yards each week.

There are, however, several reasons to be optimistic about the team’s long-term future. In addition to the Patriots’ cap flexibility, they are also still in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Drake Maye showed promise throughout his rookie season, allowing New England to target the best player available with their selection. Maye completed 68.5 percent of his throws for 1,898 yards and 12 touchdowns, compared to nine interceptions in 10 appearances.

The Patriots will likely focus on building around the signal-caller and could use their cap space to add a standout wide receiver. Chad Graff of The Athletic reported on December 9 that New England was going to be “all in” on Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins, who has rushed for 669 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf is going to enter the 2025 offseason with several holes to fill on the roster, and it appears he will be aggressive in doing so.