Longtime NFL analyst sends stern warning about Patriots in 2026 season
· Yahoo Sports
NFL analyst Damien Woody is cautioning people about sleeping on the New England Patriots for the 2026 season.
Despite finishing the 2025 season with a 14-3 record and making it to the Super Bowl, the Patriots have faced plenty of doubters in their second year under head coach Mike Vrabel. Some have been quick to point to the team having one of the hardest schedules in the NFL this year.
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The Patriots have worked hard in the offseason to combat that by assembling one of their deepest rosters in recent memory. They added Green Bay Packers leading receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency and traded for three-time All-Pro receiver A.J. Brown.
The team has also improved on the offensive line and added more pieces on defense.
“I would be personally careful if I’m a lot of these analysts, picking against the Patriots," Woody said on The Jim Rome Show. "I think the Patriots have done a really good job of really adding into what they already had last year. We know that Drake Maye is one of the best young quarterbacks that we have in the game. Mike Vrabel is one of the best coaches that we have in the game. Then you go out and you add AJ Brown, a true No. 1 receiver. You add other players along the offensive line."
Woody went on to say that edge rusher is New England's only real potential weakness. It's a valid concern given the lack of a true No. 1 pass rusher on the roster. Harold Landry III led the team in sacks last season, but he hasn't practiced in training camp yet due to injury.
Could Dre'Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder, or rookie second-round pick Gabe Jacas emerge as an elite edge threat? If that happens, the Patriots are going to be a problem no matter what the schedule looks like.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Longtime NFL analyst sends stern warning about Patriots in 2026 season