The 2019 season was the New England Patriots' 50th in the National Football League (NFL), their 60th overall and their 20th under head coach Bill Belichick. They entered the season as the defending Super Bowl champions, after winning Super Bowl LIII, and as three-time defending AFC champions. The Patriots won the AFC East for the 11th straight season, and improved on their 11–5 record from the previous season, but they were upset by the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card game, their first Wild Card game since the 2009 season. This marked the first time the Patriots lost a home postseason game since the 2012 AFC Championship Game where they lost to the later Super Bowl champion Ravens 28–13, and the first time the Patriots failed to reach the AFC Championship Game since 2010. The Patriots were also the only NFL team that won their division, made the playoffs, and had a winning season, in every year of the 2010s decade.
Catalyzed by their defense's historically dominant play, the Patriots started the season extremely well at 8–0 for the third time in franchise history, and early on there was conversation as to if they could repeat the undefeated 2007 regular season. However, their winning streak would soon end as a result of their Week 9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, which was also their first loss to the Ravens since the 2012 AFC Championship game. In Week 12, the Patriots set a new NFL record with their 17th consecutive 10-win season, surpassing the San Francisco 49ers, who set the original record of 16 consecutive 10-win seasons from 1983–1998.
For the first time since 2009, Rob Gronkowski, the team's former starting tight end, was not on the active roster as he announced his retirement on March 24, 2019. Also, for the first time since 2010, the Patriots had a different kicker on the regular season roster as the struggling Stephen Gostkowski was placed on IR; he was replaced by midseason signings Mike Nugent, Nick Folk, and Kai Forbath. Long-time assistant Brian Flores was not part of the Patriots coaching staff for the first time since 2003, as he left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins on February 4, 2019.
With their win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 16, the Patriots clinched the AFC East for the 11th consecutive year. However, despite entering December with a 10–1 record, the Patriots failed to clinch a first-round bye for the first time since 2009 thanks to a late-season collapse that culminated in Week 17 with a 27–24 loss to the 4–11 Dolphins while the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots' loss and the Chiefs' win gave the Chiefs the #2 seed in the playoffs. It was the Patriots' first home loss to the Dolphins since 2008 and their first since 2005 with Tom Brady as starting quarterback.
This was also Tom Brady's last season with the team, as he announced he was entering free agency and later signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 20, 2020. This was the last year of the Brady–Belichick era.
Coaching changes On February 4, 2019, de facto defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Brian Flores was hired as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins also hired wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea to be their offensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer to serve in that same capacity, in addition to a role as the defensive pass game coordinator.
Defensive line coach Brendan Daly was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs to serve in that same capacity.
In February 2019, it was announced that Greg Schiano was hired to join the Patriots as their defensive coordinator, but prior to the Patriots confirming this report, Schiano unexpectedly resigned from the Patriots on March 28, citing a desire to spend more time on his "faith and family".
To replace these losses, the Patriots hired and promoted individuals. On offense, Mick Lombardi was hired as the assistant quarterbacks coach and Joe Judge was given an additional role to his special teams coordinator as wide receivers coach. On defense, former Patriots' player Jerod Mayo was hired as the inside linebackers coach, Mike Pellegrino was promoted from coaching assistant to cornerbacks coach, Demarcus Covington was promoted from coaching assistant to outside linebackers coach, and Bret Bielema was promoted from consultant to the head coach to the defensive line coach. In addition, the defensive coordinator position was left vacant with head coach Bill Belichick now involving himself more greatly in that role.
Roster changes
Free agents
Unrestricted Position Player 2019 team Date signed Contract PRyan AllenNew England PatriotsMarch 19, 20191 year, $1.5 millionDTMalcom BrownNew Orleans SaintsMarch 19, 20193 years, $15 millionOTTrent BrownOakland RaidersMarch 13, 20194 years, $66 millionWRPhillip DorsettNew England PatriotsMarch 19, 20191 year, $2.6 millionDETrey FlowersDetroit LionsMarch 14, 20195 years, $90 millionKStephen GostkowskiNew England PatriotsApril 9, 20192 years, $8.5 millionRBJeremy HillWRChris HoganCarolina PanthersApril 12, 20191 year, $1.45 millionWRCody HollisterTennessee TitansMay 13, 20192 years, $1.08 millionLBRamon HumberOTUlrick JohnNew Orleans SaintsMay 13, 20191 year, $720,000LBAlbert McClellanNew York JetsAugust 17, 20191 year, $645,000CBJason McCourtyNew England PatriotsMarch 14, 20192 years, $10 millionWRCordarrelle PattersonChicago BearsMarch 13, 20192 years, $8.5 millionCBEric RoweMiami DolphinsMarch 14, 20191 year, $3.5 millionDTDanny SheltonNew England PatriotsMay 20, 20191 year, $1.03 millionDEJohn SimonNew England PatriotsMarch 15, 20192 years, $4.15 millionOTLaAdrian WaddleBuffalo BillsMarch 16, 20191 year, $2 million
Restricted Position Player 2019 team Date signed ContractCBJonathan JonesNew England PatriotsApril 16, 2019Tendered for 1 year, $3.095 millionWRJosh GordonNew England PatriotsApril 23, 2019Tendered for 1 year, $2.025 million
Signings Position Player Previous team Date signed ContractRBBrandon BoldenMiami DolphinsMarch 14, 20192 years, $3.7 millionWRBruce EllingtonDetroit Lions March 15, 20191 year, $895,000FSTerrence BrooksNew York JetsMarch 15, 20192 years, $3.25 millionWRMaurice HarrisWashington RedskinsMarch 15, 20191 year, $1 millionDTMike PennelNew York JetsMarch 15, 20192 years, $5 millionTEMatt LaCosseDenver BroncosMarch 15, 20192 years, $2.8 millionOTCedrick LangMinnesota VikingsApril 1, 20191 year, $500,000FBJakob JohnsonStuttgart Scorpions (Germany)April 8, 20191 year, $495,000TEAustin Seferian-JenkinsJacksonville JaguarsApril 10, 20191 year, $895,000WRDemaryius ThomasHouston Texans April 16, 20191 year, $2.9 millionDENick ThurmanTampa Bay BuccaneersMay 2, 20191 year, $495,000LBShilique CalhounOakland RaidersMay 2, 20191 year, $720,000TEBenjamin WatsonNew Orleans SaintsMay 9, 20191 year, $3 millionOTJared VeldheerDenver BroncosMay 13, 2019 1 year, $3.5 millionWRDontrelle InmanIndianapolis ColtsMay 13, 20191 year, $1.5 millionOLBJamie CollinsCleveland BrownsMay 16, 20191 year, $3 millionTELance KendricksGreen Bay PackersJuly 24, 20191 year, $1.02 millionOGJ.J. DielmanLos Angeles RamsJuly 26, 2019WRCameron MeredithNew Orleans SaintsAugust 2, 20192 years, $2.02 millionOTCole CrostonNew England PatriotsAugust 12, 20191 year, $645,000MLBScooby WrightArizona Hotshots (AAF)August 25, 20191 year, $570,000RBRobert MartinNew York GiantsAugust 25, 20191 year, $495,000WRDemaryius ThomasNew England PatriotsSeptember 2, 20191 year, $1.5 millionCJames FerentzNew England PatriotsSeptember 6, 20191 year, $720,000WRAntonio BrownOakland RaidersSeptember 9, 20191 year, $15 millionOTMarshall NewhouseNew Orleans SaintsSeptember 11, 20191 year, $930,000OTCaleb BenenochTampa Bay BuccaneersSeptember 17, 20191 year, $720,000QBCody KesslerPhiladelphia EaglesSeptember 25, 20191 year, $720,000SSJordan RichardsOakland RaidersOctober 2, 20191 year, $805,000KMike NugentOakland RaidersOctober 3, 20191 year, $1.03 millionTEBenjamin WatsonNew England PatriotsOctober 14, 20191 year, $800,000TEEric TomlinsonNew York GiantsOctober 15, 20191 year, $720,000CBJustin BethelBaltimore RavensOctober 22, 20191 year, $930,000QBCody KesslerNew England PatriotsOctober 28, 20191 year, $720,000KNick FolkArizona Hotshots (AAF)October 29, 20191 year, $1.03 millionKKai ForbathJacksonville JaguarsNovember 29, 2019 1 year, $930,000DTAlbert HugginsPhiladelphia EaglesDecember 2, 20191 year, $1.08 millionKNick FolkNew England PatriotsDecember 6, 20191 year, $1.03 million Indicates that the player was a free agent at the end of his respective team's season.
Contract extensions Position Player Date signed ContractWRJulian EdelmanMay 21, 20192 years, $18 millionQBTom BradyAugust 4, 20192 years, $70 millionCBJonathan JonesSeptember 7, 20193 years, $21 million
Releases/waivers Position Player 2019 team Date releasedTEDwayne AllenMiami Dolphins March 4, 2019WRDarren Andrews Calgary Stampeders (CFL)DEAdrian ClaybornAtlanta FalconsMarch 15, 2019OTRyker MathewsHamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)May 2, 2019WRBruce EllingtonMay 8, 2019OTCalvin AndersonNew York Jets May 13, 2019WRXavier UbosiNew York JetsDTFrank HerronTennessee TitansMay 16, 2019CJake EldrenkampIndianapolis ColtsMay 20, 2019TEAustin Seferian-JenkinsJune 4, 2019OTCole CrostonNew England PatriotsJuly 30, 2019CBD'Angelo RossNew England PatriotsAugust 12, 2019QB/WRDanny EtlingAtlanta FalconsAugust 13, 2019WRDontrelle InmanLos Angeles ChargersAugust 18, 2019PRyan AllenAtlanta FalconsAugust 20, 2019WRMaurice HarrisNew England Patriots August 25, 2019DEKeionta DavisNew England PatriotsDTMike PennelKansas City Chiefs August 26, 2019RBRobert MartinWRMaurice HarrisAugust 27, 2019TEAndrew BeckDenver Broncos August 30, 2019OTTyree St. Louis New England PatriotsOTCedrick LangDTDavid ParryWRRyan DavisFSA. J. Howard Baltimore RavensCTyler Gauthier New England PatriotsWRDamoun PattersonMLBChristian Sam Miami DolphinsOTMartez IveyWRBraxton BerriosNew York Jets August 31, 2019TEStephen Anderson New England PatriotsDTUfomba Kamalu New England PatriotsTEEric SaubertOakland RaidersOLBCalvin Munson New England PatriotsOTDan Skipper New England PatriotsDENick Thurman New England PatriotsMLBScooby Wright New England PatriotsQBBrian HoyerIndianapolis ColtsOLBTerez Hall New England PatriotsRBNick Brossette Detroit LionsWRDemaryius ThomasNew England PatriotsOTCole CrostonFBJakob Johnson New England PatriotsDETrent HarrisMiami DolphinsCBKen WebsterMiami DolphinsCJames FerentzNew England PatriotsCRussell BodineSeptember 6, 2019FSObi Melifonwu New England Patriots September 9, 2019TE Lance KendricksLos Angeles ChargersWRAntonio BrownSeptember 20, 2019WRCameron Meredith October 1, 2019OTCaleb BenenochCarolina PanthersTEBenjamin WatsonNew England PatriotsOctober 7, 2019QBCody KesslerNew England PatriotsOctober 15, 2019SSJordan RichardsBaltimore RavensOctober 22, 2019KMike Nugent October 29, 2019TEEric TomlinsonOakland RaidersWRJosh GordonSeattle SeahawksOctober 31, 2019KNick FolkNew England PatriotsNovember 29, 2019KKai ForbathDallas CowboysDecember 4, 2019DTAlbert Huggins Philadelphia EaglesDecember 7, 2019 Indicates that the player signed to a practice squad.
Retirements Position Player Date retired TERob GronkowskiMarch 24, 2019OTJared VeldheerMay 21, 2019CBrian SchwenkeJuly 24, 2019OGJ.J. DielmanJuly 29, 2019
Trades March 14: the Patriots traded their 2020 fifth-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for defensive end Michael Bennett and a 2020 seventh-round pick. April 29: the Patriots traded tight end Jacob Hollister to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2020 seventh-round selection. August 12: the Patriots traded a conditional 2020 seventh-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for tight end Eric Saubert. August 28: the Patriots traded a 2020 sixth round-selection to the Arizona Cardinals for offensive tackle Korey Cunningham. August 28: the Patriots traded a 2020 fourth-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for a sixth-round pick and offensive guard Jermaine Eluemunor.