Patriots links 5/21/26: Pats aim to build off 2025, avoid hangover
· Yahoo Sports
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 18: Craig Woodson #31 of the New England Patriots reacts as he runs off the field following an NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TEAM TALK
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- Key Dates on the 2026 NFL and Patriots calendar. Next up: Patriots OTA May 27, 29.
- Roster Moves: Patriots sign DT Travis Shaw, release LS Niko Lalos.
- Mike Dussault hears from Alabama coaches on how RB Jam Miller brings all-phase value to the backfield.
- Paul Perillo writes how 7th-round pick Behren Morton is no stranger to following in the footsteps of some great quarterbacks and will look to do the same in New England.
- Patriots Catch-22: 2026 schedule breakdown, OTA preview, latest buzz. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian notes that teams who lose the Super Bowl often turn into easy road kill the following season. The Patriots don’t want to fall into that trap.
- Mark Daniels finds WR Kyle Williams ready for bigger role, and expecting a ‘night and day’ leap in the offense.
- Ethan Hurwitz writes about how Kyle Williams underwent a major offseason transformation, intentionally getting a bit bigger.
- Alex Barth looks at the signing of rookie nose tackle Travis Shaw ahead of OTAs. “At 6-foot-5, 334 pounds Shaw is a true nose tackle, a role the Patriots did not address in free agency or the draft this offseason, after losing Khyiris Tonga in free agency.”
- Mark Daniels explains how by signing All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, the team also set up a situation to help young safety Craig Woodson as well.
- Karen Guregian talks with safety Craig Woodson on the swings in his confidence his rookie season and how it all changed in the postseason. “It gave me a lot of confidence knowing that I can play at a high level with the best guys on the field, and I just want to keep building on that.”
- Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick consider potential breakout candidates for Patriots this season. (26 min.)
- Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick discuss how Drake Maye can be even better in 2026.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Albert Breer (SI) NFL Notes: What’s next for Brendan Sorsby if he loses his injunction; Plus, the league’s push for flag football leagues and more.
- Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports) Inside NFL owners meetings: International Super Bowl talk, Rashee Rice fallout, Seahawks sale buzz; More.
- Bill Barnwell (ESPN) 2026 Offseason: AFC teams’ best and worst deals, picks. Patriots Best: Continuing to hit the offensive line. Worst: Swapping out K’Lavon Chaisson for Dre’Mont Jones. /Click for more.
- Albert Breer (SI) NFL Mailbag: Why the Browns are giving Deshaun Watson a chance to start; Plus, the NFL playing internationally, the Vikings’ GM search and more.
- Ali Bhanpuri & Tom Blair (NFL.com) Predicting every game, final record for each AFC team. Pats: 8-9 and will not make the playoffs. /Click for more depressing commentary.
- Greg Auman, et al (Fox Sports) Win-loss predictions, analysis for every team. Patriots: 10-7. /Click for commentary.
- Henry McKenna (Fox Sports) Playoff predictions from Wild-Card round to Super Bowl LXI. Patriots finish 7th in the AFC. Wild Card round: Bengals over Patriots. /I’ll believe that when I see it, lol.
- Henry McKenna (Fox Sports) 4 Observations after the 2026 NFL schedule release. 1. You will have ample excuses to avoid your family during the holidays.
- Patrick Daugherty (NBC Sports) 2026 NFL GM rankings: Analysis for all 32 teams. No. 13 Eliot Wolf.
- Jamison Hensley (ESPN) When NFL owners get involved with football decisions, results are mixed.
- Eric Edholm (NFL.com) Each NFL team’s next best Hall of Fame candidate. Patriots: Bill Belichick.