The 2021 season was the New England Patriots' 52nd in the National Football League (NFL), their 62nd overall, their 20th playing home games at Gillette Stadium, and their 22nd under head coach Bill Belichick.
Following the team's 7–9 finish the previous season, their first losing record since 2000, the Patriots spent a record $163 million in guaranteed money to sign new free agent acquisitions. 11 free agents were added to the roster on March 19, with the largest contracts awarded to linebacker Matthew Judon, tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, cornerback Jalen Mills, and wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor. In the 2021 NFL draft, New England selected quarterback Mac Jones 15th overall, marking the first time the Patriots drafted a first-round quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. Jones also became the first rookie quarterback to start for the Patriots since Bledsoe after he was named the starter ahead of the season opener.
The Patriots began the season 2–4, but won eight of their next 11 games and finished with a 10–7 record to secure a wild card berth. In their first playoff appearance without quarterback Tom Brady since 1998 and their first as a wild card under Belichick, they were defeated 47–17 by the division rival Buffalo Bills, the worst postseason loss of Belichick's tenure. The playoff game was also the Patriots' last with Belichick and was their last appearance until 2025.
Roster changes
Free agency
Unrestricted PositionPlayer2021 teamDate signedContractCDavid AndrewsNew England PatriotsMarch 22, 20214 years, $19 millionCBJustin BethelNew England PatriotsMarch 12, 20213 years, $6 millionFSTerrence BrooksHouston TexansMarch 23, 20211 year, $1.75 millionRBRex BurkheadHouston Texans June 1, 20211 year, $1.5 millionDTAdam ButlerMiami DolphinsMarch 18, 20212 years, $7.5 millionWRDamiere ByrdChicago BearsMay 4, 20211 year, $1.128 millionOLBShilique CalhounSan Francisco 49ersAugust 10, 20211 year, $990,000OLBBrandon CopelandAtlanta FalconsMarch 19, 20211 year, $1.04 millionDTCarl DavisNew England PatriotsMarch 15, 20211 year, $1.078 millionFSCody DavisNew England PatriotsMarch 19, 20212 years, $4.3 millionOTJermaine EluemunorMiami DolphinsJune 14, 20211 year, $1.128 millionCJames FerentzNew England PatriotsMay 17, 20211 year, $1.020 millionKNick FolkNew England PatriotsMarch 23, 20211 year, $1.625 millionDTLawrence GuyNew England PatriotsMarch 30, 20214 years, $11.5 millionQBBrian HoyerNew England PatriotsMay 18, 20211 year, $1.075 millionCBJason McCourtyMiami Dolphins May 7, 20211 year, $1.213 millionWRDonte MoncriefHouston TexansMarch 22, 20211 year, $1.15 millionQBCam NewtonNew England PatriotsMarch 12, 20211 year, $5.1 millionDEJohn SimonTennessee TitansJuly 25, 20211 year, $1.075 millionGJoe ThuneyKansas City Chiefs March 18, 2021 5 years, $80 millionRBJames WhiteNew England PatriotsMarch 25, 20211 year, $2.463 millionDEDeatrich Wise Jr.New England PatriotsMarch 19, 20214 years, $22 million
Restricted PositionPlayer2021 teamDate signedContractCBJ. C. JacksonNew England PatriotsApril 16, 2021Tendered (second-round) for 1 year, $3.384 million
Exclusive-rights PositionPlayer2021 teamDate signedContractWRQuincy AdeboyejoFBJakob JohnsonNew England PatriotsMarch 25, 20211 year, $850,000
Signings/waiver claims
PositionPlayerPrevious teamDate signedContractDEMontravius AdamsGreen Bay PackersMarch 19, 20211 year, $1.095 millionWRNelson AgholorLas Vegas Raiders2 years, $22 millionDEHenry AndersonNew York Jets2 years, $7 millionWRKendrick BourneSan Francisco 49ers3 years, $15 millionTEHunter HenryLos Angeles Chargers3 years, $37.5 millionLBMatthew JudonBaltimore Ravens4 years, $54.5 millionCTed KarrasMiami Dolphins1 year, $3 millionLBRaekwon McMillanLas Vegas Raiders1 year, $1.149 millionCBJalen MillsPhiladelphia Eagles4 years, $24 millionTEJonnu SmithTennessee Titans4 years, $50 millionLBKyle Van NoyMiami Dolphins2 years, $12 millionDTDavon GodchauxMiami DolphinsMarch 23, 20212 years, $15 millionLBLaRoy ReynoldsAtlanta FalconsMarch 24, 20211 year, $1.213 millionLBHarvey LangiNew York JetsMay 10, 20211 year, $1.057 millionGAlex RedmondCincinnati BengalsMay 17, 20211 year, $1.080 millionLSWesley FarnsworthDenver BroncosMay 20, 20211 year, $660,000FSAdrian ColbertNew York GiantsMay 21, 20211 year, $990,000RBTyler GaffneySan Francisco 49ers1 year, $660,000TETroy FumagalliDenver BroncosMay 27, 20211 year, $850,000WRMarvin HallCleveland BrownsJune 4, 20211 year, $1.015 millionGR. J. PrinceBaltimore RavensJune 17, 20211 year, $780,000WRDevin RossNew England PatriotsJune 21, 20211 year, $660,000TEDavid WellsNew England PatriotsJuly 23, 20211 year, $660,000QBJake DolegalaGreen Bay PackersJuly 28, 20211 year, $780,000OTJerald HawkinsPittsburgh SteelersJuly 30, 20211 year, $920,000LBCassh MaluiaNew England PatriotsAugust 7, 20211 year, $780,000LSBrian KhouryBaltimore RavensAugust 9, 20211 year, $660,000SSMalik GantNew England PatriotsAugust 10, 20211 year, $660,000TEKahale WarringHouston TexansAugust 24, 20214 years, $3.640 millionWRMalcolm PerryMiami DolphinsSeptember 2, 20214 years, 3.370 millionLBJamie CollinsDetroit LionsOctober 6, 20211 year, 1.075 million
Releases/waivers PositionPlayerDate released/waivedDTBeau Allen March 18, 2021WRMarqise LeeLBCassh MaluiaMarch 23, 2021LBMichael PinkneyKJustin RohrwasserGRoss ReynoldsApril 9, 2021DTMichael BarnettApril 12, 2021CDustin WoodardApril 16, 2021QBJake DolegalaApril 30, 2021GNajee ToranMay 18, 2021LBLaRoy ReynoldsMay 27, 2021FBDanny VitaleKRoberto AguayoJune 17, 2021LSWesley FarnsworthWRDevin Smith July 27, 2021QBJake DolegalaAugust 9, 2021RBTyler GaffneyAugust 10, 2021DERashod BerryAugust 15, 2021WRMarvin HallTEDavid WellsOTJerald HawkinsAugust 16, 2021TETroy FumagalliAugust 17, 2021SSMalik GantAugust 24, 2021LSBrian KhouryLBCassh MaluiaGR. J. PrinceWRDevin RossTEKahale WarringAugust 27, 2021DTMontravius AdamsAugust 31, 2021DETashawn BowerCBMyles BryantFSAdrian ColbertOTKorey CunninghamCJames FerentzKNick FolkQBBrian HoyerCBMike Jackson Sr.TEMatt LaCosseDTBill MurrayQBCam NewtonWRTre NixonGAlex RedmondCBD'Angelo RossOTWill ShermanDTAkeem SpenceDTNick ThurmanCBDee VirginWRKristian WilkersonWRIsaiah Zuber
Retirements PositionPlayerDate retiredSPatrick ChungMarch 18, 2021WRJulian EdelmanApril 12, 2021
Trades March 18 – Offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, the Patriots' 2021 fifth-round selection (No. 158 overall), and 2021 sixth-round selection (No. 194 overall) were traded to the Houston Texans for the Texans' 2021 fourth-round selection (No. 122 overall, originally acquired from Arizona) and 2021 sixth-round selection (No. 187 overall). March 18 – The Patriots' 2022 fifth-round selection was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders for offensive tackle Trent Brown and the Raiders' 2022 seventh-round selection. March 23 – Tight end Ryan Izzo was traded to the Houston Texans for the Texans' 2022 seventh-round selection. August 25 – Running back Sony Michel was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for the Rams' 2022 sixth and 2023 fourth round selections. August 26 – The Patriots' 2022 seventh-round selection (originally acquired from Houston) and 2023 fifth-round selection were traded to the Baltimore Ravens for cornerback Shaun Wade. August 31 – The Patriots' 2022 seventh-round selection was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for offensive tackle Yasir Durant. October 6 – Cornerback Stephon Gilmore was traded to the Carolina Panthers for the Panthers' 2023 sixth-round selection.
Draft
2021 New England Patriots Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 15 Mac Jones QB Alabama 2 38 Christian Barmore DT from Cincinnati 3 — Selection forfeited 96 Ronnie Perkins DE Oklahoma Compensatory pick 4 120 Rhamondre Stevenson RB 5 177 Cameron McGrone LB Michigan Compensatory pick 6 188 Joshuah Bledsoe FS Missouri from Houston 197 Will Sherman OT Colorado 7 242 Tre Nixon WR UCF Notes The Cincinnati Bengals' 2021 second-round selection (No. 38 overall) was acquired in a trade that sent the Patriots' 2021 second-round selection (No. 46 overall) and two fourth-round selections (No. 122 and 139 overall) to the Bengals. The Patriots forfeited their third-round selection as the punishment for illegal filming of the field and sidelines by the team's television crew of a 2019 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. The Houston Texans' 2021 fourth-round selection (No. 122 overall) and 2021 sixth-round selection (No. 188 overall) were acquired in a trade that sent offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, the Patriots' 2021 fifth-round selection (No. 158 overall), and the previously acquired Dallas Cowboys 2021 sixth-round selection (No. 194 overall) to the Texans. A sixth-round selection (No. 185 overall) was acquired in a trade that sent wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to the New York Jets. The Jets re-acquired this selection when the Patriots traded two of their 2020 fourth-round selections and this 2021 sixth-round selection in exchange for a 2020 third-round selection. An additional sixth-round selection (No. 194 overall) was obtained in the trade that sent defensive end Michael Bennett to the Dallas Cowboys.
Undrafted free agents PositionPlayerSchoolDate signedKQuinn NordinMichiganMay 6, 2021
Staff
July 23: Cole Popovich left the team as co-offensive line coach after refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Washington Football Team W 22–13 1–0 Gillette Stadium Recap 2 at Philadelphia Eagles W 35–0 2–0 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 3 August 29 at New York Giants W 22–20 3–0 MetLife Stadium Recap
Regular season
Schedule The Patriots' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 12 Miami Dolphins L 16–17 0–1 Gillette Stadium Recap 2 September 19 at New York Jets W 25–6 1–1 MetLife Stadium Recap 3 September 26 New Orleans Saints L 13–28 1–2 Gillette Stadium Recap 4 October 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–19 1–3 Gillette Stadium Recap 5 October 10 at Houston Texans W 25–22 2–3 NRG Stadium Recap 6 October 17 Dallas Cowboys L 29–35 2–4 Gillette Stadium Recap 7 October 24 New York Jets W 54–13 3–4 Gillette Stadium Recap 8 October 31 at Los Angeles Chargers W 27–24 4–4 SoFi Stadium Recap 9 November 7 at Carolina Panthers W 24–6 5–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap 10 November 14 Cleveland Browns W 45–7 6–4 Gillette Stadium Recap 11 at Atlanta Falcons W 25–0 7–4 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 12 November 28 Tennessee Titans W 36–13 8–4 Gillette Stadium Recap 13 at Buffalo Bills W 14–10 9–4 Highmark Stadium Recap 14 Bye 15 at Indianapolis Colts L 17–27 9–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 16 December 26 Buffalo Bills L 21–33 9–6 Gillette Stadium Recap 17 January 2 Jacksonville Jaguars W 50–10 10–6 Gillette Stadium Recap 18 January 9 at Miami Dolphins L 24–33 10–7 Hard Rock Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins
In rookie quarterback Mac Jones' first NFL start, a back-and-forth affair against divisional opponent Miami was sealed when Patriots running back Damien Harris fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter, allowing the Dolphins to run out the clock. With the close loss, the Patriots began the season 0–1 for the first time since 2017.
Week 2: at New York Jets
A battle of rookie quarterbacks saw Zach Wilson of the Jets throw four interceptions to the Patriots defense, allowing New England to coast to a 25–6 win, its 11th straight win over divisional rival New York. Mac Jones completed over 70% of his passes for the second game in a row.
Week 3: vs. New Orleans Saints
Jones threw three interceptions, including a pass bobbled by tight end Jonnu Smith before being returned by P. J. Williams for a touchdown, as the Patriots lost to the Saints 28–13 and dropped to 1–2. This was also the Patriots' first loss to the Saints since 2009.
Week 4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers