The 2018 season was the New England Patriots' 49th in the National Football League (NFL), their 59th overall and their 19th under head coach Bill Belichick. The Patriots entered the season as two-time defending AFC champions.
The Patriots' losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions in Week 2 and 3 marked the franchise's first back-to-back double-digit losses since 2002. After this slow 1–2 start, the Patriots improved to 7–2 after Week 9. Following a notable Week 14 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots could not match their 13–3 record from 2017. A defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 meant the Patriots had lost five games for the first time since 2009. After a win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 16, the Patriots clinched the AFC East for the tenth consecutive season, surpassing the Dallas Cowboys (1975–1983) and the Indianapolis Colts (2002–2010) for the most consecutive playoff appearances. New England went undefeated at home with a Week 17 win over the New York Jets in which they clinched a first-round bye, and wrapped up the regular season with an 11–5 record that was good enough to give them the AFC's second seed in the postseason. Despite their five losses, the team achieved the rare distinction of going unbeaten against teams that qualified for the playoffs.
For the first time since 2010, the Patriots did not play the Denver Broncos during the regular season. It was also the last of 9 consecutive seasons going back to 2010 in which the Patriots always secured a first-round bye in the playoffs. It was, however, also the first season since 2013 in which the Patriots finished the regular season unbeaten at Gillette Stadium.
The 2018 Patriots became the second team ever in the four major American sports leagues to win at least 10 straight division titles, joining Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves (1991–2005, excluding the strike-shortened 1994 season). The Patriots also secured their 16th-straight 10-win season, tying the San Francisco 49ers' league record streak, set from 1983–98. Notable records set during the season include QB Tom Brady achieving the record for most career passing touchdowns (including playoffs).
In the playoffs, the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the Divisional round, 41–28, to advance to the AFC Championship game for a record eighth straight season. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs, 37–31 in overtime, to advance to the Super Bowl for a third straight year, becoming only the third team in NFL history to appear in three or more consecutive Super Bowls (joining the 1971–73 Miami Dolphins and 1990–93 Buffalo Bills and later the 2022–24 Kansas City Chiefs). In Super Bowl LIII, they faced the Los Angeles Rams in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI, in which the Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams 20–17. The Patriots won the rematch as well by a score of 13–3 to win their sixth Super Bowl, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers for most Super Bowl championships in NFL history.
Offseason On February 5, 2018, the Detroit Lions hired Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to serve as head coach.
On February 6, the Indianapolis Colts announced hiring Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their new head coach. The next day, McDaniels abruptly rejected the offer citing personal reasons, and decided to stay a part of the Patriots' organization. The controversy surrounding this decision led McDaniels' agent Bob LaMonte to terminate their professional relationship.
Roster changes
Free agents
Unrestricted
Position Player 2018 team Date signed Contract WR Danny Amendola Miami Dolphins March 15, 2018 two years, $12 million CBJohnson BademosiHouston TexansMarch 16, 2018two years, $6.25 millionRBBrandon BoldenNew England PatriotsFebruary 24, 2018one year, $880,000 RB Rex Burkhead New England Patriots March 15, 2018 three years, $9.75 million CB Malcolm Butler Tennessee Titans March 15, 2018 five years, $61 millionSSNate EbnerNew England PatriotsMarch 13, 2018two years, $5 million OT Cameron Fleming Dallas CowboysMarch 24, 2018one year, $3.5 millionOLBMarquis FlowersNew England PatriotsMarch 22, 2018one year, $2.55 millionDTRicky Jean Francois Detroit LionsJuly 25, 2018one year, $1.01 million RB Dion Lewis Tennessee Titans March 15, 2018 four years, $20 million WR Matthew Slater New England PatriotsMarch 20, 2018two years, $5.2 million OT Nate Solder New York Giants March 15, 2018 four years, $62 million OT LaAdrian Waddle New England Patriots March 22, 2018 one year, $1.5 million
Restricted Position Player 2018 team Date signed Contract SSBrandon KingNew England PatriotsMarch 8, 2018two year, $2.6 million
Signings Position Player Previous Team Date signed Contract DEAdrian ClaybornAtlanta FalconsMarch 17, 2018two years, $12 millionRBJeremy HillCincinnati BengalsMarch 17, 2018one year, $1.5 millionOTMatt TobinSeattle SeahawksMarch 17, 2018one year, $815,000TETroy NiklasArizona CardinalsApril 4, 2018one year, $940,000OGLuke BowankoBaltimore RavensApril 4, 2018one year, $835,000WRJordan MatthewsBuffalo BillsApril 6, 2018one year, $1 millionOTUlrick JohnGreen Bay PackersApril 24, 2018one year, $745,000OGJason KingBaltimore RavensMay 18, 2018one year, $481,000WRDevin LucienTampa Bay BuccaneersJuly 23, 2018one year, $480,000SSEddie PleasantHouston TexansJuly 24, 2018one year, $875,000OGNate TheakerNew Orleans SaintsJuly 24, 2018one year, $480,000WRPaul TurnerNew Orleans SaintsJuly 27, 2018one year, $555,000CBrian SchwenkeTennessee TitansJuly 31, 2018one year, $790,000FBHenry PoggiOakland RaidersAugust 1, 2018one year, $480,000WREric DeckerTennessee TitansAugust 3, 2018one year, $1.9 millionWRK.J. MayeTennessee TitansAugust 27, 2018one year, $480,000RBKenneth FarrowLos Angeles ChargersAugust 27, 2018one year, $480,000RBKhalfani MuhammadTennessee TitansAugust 27, 2018one year, $480,000WRAmara DarbohSeattle SeahawksSeptember 2, 2018WRChad HansenNew York JetsSeptember 2, 2018CBrian SchwenkeNew England PatriotsSeptember 4, 2018one year, $790,000WRCorey ColemanBuffalo BillsSeptember 11, 2018 one year, $630,000WRBennie Fowler IIIChicago BearsSeptember 11, 2018 one year, $705,000RBKenjon BarnerCarolina PanthersSeptember 11, 2018one year, $790,000CBCyrus JonesBaltimore RavensSeptember 17, 2018two years, $1,810,000RBKenjon BarnerNew England PatriotsSeptember 26, 2018DEJohn SimonIndianapolis ColtsSeptember 26, 2018RBKenjon BarnerNew England PatriotsOctober 8, 2018LBAlbert McClellanBaltimore RavensNovember 6, 2018SObi MelifonwuOakland RaidersNovember 6, 2018OTMatt TobinNew England PatriotsNovember 7, 2018LBRamon HumberBuffalo BillsNovember 14, 2018 Indicates that the player was a free agent at the end of his respective team's season.
Released/Waived Position Player 2018 team Date released DECaleb KidderMarch 6, 2018WRBernard ReedyTampa Bay BuccaneersMarch 7, 2018LBShea McClellinMarch 19, 2018GJason KingNew England PatriotsMay 10, 2018OTAntonio GarciaNew York JetsMay 11, 2018WRDarren AndrewsNew England PatriotsMay 14, 2018WRChris LacyDetroit LionsMay 18, 2018WRCody HollisterNew England PatriotsJuly 24, 2018SDavid JonesDetroit LionsJuly 27, 2018TETroy NiklasJuly 27, 2018TEShane WimannJuly 31, 2018GNate TheakerAugust 2, 2018WRMalcolm MitchellAugust 6, 2018WRJordan MatthewsPhiladelphia EaglesAugust 8, 2018WRKenny BrittAugust 22, 2018SEddie PleasantArizona CardinalsAugust 27, 2018WRPaul TurnerAugust 31, 2018WRDevin LucienRBKhalfani MuhammadDenver BroncosDTFrank HerronNew England PatriotsCBRyan LewisBuffalo BillsDTJohn AtkinsDetroit LionsSeptember 1, 2018PCorey BojorquezBuffalo BillsRBBrandon BoldenMiami DolphinsGLuke BowankoWashington RedskinsOTCole CrostonNew England PatriotsQBDanny EtlingNew England PatriotsRBKenneth FarrowCJames FerentzNew England PatriotsLBMarquis FlowersDetroit LionsRBMike GillisleeNew Orleans SaintsDETrent HarrisNew England PatriotsCBCyrus JonesBaltimore RavensGJason KingLBHarvey LangiNew York JetsDEEric LeeDetroit LionsWRK.J. MayeWRRiley McCarronNew England PatriotsCBA.J. MooreHouston TexansFBHenry PoggiGBrian SchwenkeNew England PatriotsOTMatt Tobin San Francisco 49ersSDamarius TravisTEWill TyePhiladelphia EaglesDTVincent ValentineNew England PatriotsRBRalph WebbNew England PatriotsCBJomal WiltzNew England PatriotsWRAmara DarbohSeattle SeahawksSeptember 4, 2018 WRChad HansenTennessee TitansSeptember 10, 2018WRRiley McCarronNew England PatriotsWRBennie Fowler IIINew York GiantsSeptember 15, 2018WRCorey ColemanNew York GiantsSeptember 17, 2018RBKenjon BarnerNew England PatriotsSeptember 19, 2018RBKenjon BarnerNew England PatriotsOctober 4, 2018CBCyrus JonesBaltimore RavensOctober 6, 2018OTCole CrostonNew England PatriotsNovember 6, 2018DEGeneo GrissomIndianapolis ColtsNovember 7, 2018RBKenjon BarnerCarolina PanthersNovember 13, 2018LBNicholas GrigsbyDetroit LionsNovember 13, 2018OTMatt TobinNovember 26, 2018
Retirements Position Player Date retired LBDavid HarrisFebruary 23, 2018TEMartellus BennettMarch 7, 2018LBJames HarrisonApril 16, 2018OTAndrew JelksJuly 19, 2018WREric DeckerAugust 26, 2018
Trades On March 10, the Patriots traded their 2019 third-round selection to the Cleveland Browns for defensive tackle Danny Shelton and Cleveland's 2018 fifth-round selection (No. 159 overall). On March 15, the Patriots traded their 2018 sixth-round selection (No. 205) to the Cleveland Browns for cornerback Jason McCourty and Cleveland's 2018 seventh-round selection (No. 219 overall). On March 18, the Patriots traded their 2018 fifth-round selection (No. 159) to the Oakland Raiders for wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and a 2018 sixth-round selection (No. 210 overall). On April 3, the Patriots traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks and their 2018 fourth-round selection (No. 136) to the Los Angeles Rams for their first-round (No. 23) and sixth-round (No. 198) selections. On April 28, the Patriots traded their third-round selection (95th overall) to San Francisco in exchange for San Francisco's fifth-round selection (143rd overall) and offensive tackle Trent Brown. On August 31, the Patriots traded safety Jordan Richards to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2020 conditional seventh-round pick. On September 17, the Patriots traded a conditional fifth-round selection to the Cleveland Browns for wide receiver Josh Gordon.
Draft
2018 New England Patriots Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 23 Isaiah Wynn OT Georgia from Los Angeles Rams 31 Sony Michel RB Georgia 2 56 Duke Dawson CB Florida from Tampa Bay5143Ja'Whaun BentleyLBPurduefrom San Francisco6178Christian SamLBArizona Statefrom Cleveland 210Braxton BerriosWRMiami (FL) from Oakland 7 219Danny EtlingQBLSU from Cleveland243Keion CrossenCBWestern Carolinafrom Kansas City250Ryan IzzoTEFlorida Statefrom Philadelphia
Draft trades The Patriots traded Brandin Cooks and their fourth-round selection (136th overall) to Los Angeles in exchange for their 23rd and sixth-round (No. 198) selections. The Patriots traded quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to San Francisco in exchange for San Francisco's second-round selection (43rd overall). The Patriots traded their second-round selection (43rd overall) to Detroit in exchange for Detroit's second and fourth-round selections (51st and 117th overall). The Patriots traded their second-round selection (51st overall) to Chicago in exchange for Chicago's fourth-round selection (105th overall) and their 2019 second-round selection. The Patriots traded their second and fourth-round selections (63rd and 117th overall) to Tampa Bay in exchange for Tampa Bay's second-round selection (56th overall). The Patriots traded their third-round selection (95th overall) to San Francisco in exchange for San Francisco's fifth-round selection (143rd overall) and offensive tackle Trent Brown. The Patriots traded their fourth-round selection (105th overall) to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's fourth and sixth-round selections (114th and 178th overall).