The 2025 season was the New England Patriots' 56th in the National Football League (NFL), their 66th overall, their second under de facto general manager Eliot Wolf, their first under head coach Mike Vrabel, and their 12th Super Bowl appearance. The Patriots clinched their first winning season since 2021 with a Week 11 victory over the division rival New York Jets, and guaranteed they would exceed their combined win total for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. With a Week 16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the Patriots made the playoffs for the first time since 2021 under Bill Belichick. Their Week 17 victory over the Jets, combined with a Bills loss that same week, gave the Patriots their first AFC East championship since 2019 and their first division championship without Tom Brady or Bill Belichick since 1997. Their Week 18 victory over the Miami Dolphins tied them for the largest single-season turnaround in NFL history, at 10 games. The Patriots earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC; the Denver Broncos, who also finished 14–3, earned the No. 1 seed based on the common opponents tiebreaker.
This season began with the Patriots' third head coach in as many seasons following the dismissal of first-year head coach Jerod Mayo after the final game of the 2024 season. Patriots Hall of Fame inductee Mike Vrabel, who played for the team from 2001 to 2008, was hired as the franchise's 16th head coach on January 12. Before coaching New England, Vrabel was head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023.
With the retirement of center David Andrews and the release of long snapper Joe Cardona, linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, defensive end Deatrich Wise, cornerback Jonathan Jones, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett, this was the team's first season since 1992 that their roster had no players who won, or would go on to win, a Super Bowl with them.
Their .824 winning percentage was their best since their Super Bowl LI-winning 2016 season, making them the first NFL team since the 1999 Indianapolis Colts to suffer two consecutive seasons with 13 losses and win 13 or more games in the third. This is also their first season with 10 consecutive wins since 2015, and their first with both a 4,000 yard passer and 1,000 yard receiver since 2019. In addition, the 2025 Patriots had the second easiest schedule since league realignment in 2002; its historically low strength of schedule was .391 and the team played only three regular-season games against opponents that finished with winning records. These were the Pittsburgh Steelers once and Buffalo Bills twice. They became the first team in NFL history to finish 9–0 on the road.
For their efforts this season, Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels received NFL Coach of the Year and NFL Assistant Coach of the Year, respectively. Vrabel became the first Patriots head coach to receive the award since Bill Belichick in 2010. It was his second time winning the award, with the first being in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans. Meanwhile, McDaniels became the first Patriots assistant coach to receive the award since its introduction in 2014. Quarterback Drake Maye was also runner-up for NFL Most Valuable Player, falling behind to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford by a singular vote.
In the postseason, the Patriots faced the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round, winning with a score of 16–3. It would be their first playoff victory since Super Bowl LIII. The following week, they went up against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round, winning with a 28–16 score. Following that, the Patriots traveled to Denver for the AFC Championship, defeating the Broncos with a score of 10–7. It would be their first postseason victory both on the road and in the conference championship since 2018. The Patriots became the first team in NFL history to defeat three top-five ranked defenses in a single postseason. They are also the first team in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl after losing 13 or more games the previous season. In Super Bowl LX, they faced the Seahawks in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX. It was their 12th Super Bowl appearance, extending an NFL record. The Patriots were defeated by the Seahawks by a final score of 29–13, failing to win their seventh Super Bowl title. They then became the first NFL franchise to lose in six Super Bowls, breaking a tie they previously shared with the Denver Broncos.
Roster changes
Free agency Unrestricted PositionPlayer2025 teamDate signedContractQBJacoby BrissettArizona CardinalsMarch 14, 20252 years, $12.5 millionGLester CottonDTDaniel EkualePittsburgh SteelersMarch 19, 20251 year, $2.8 millionRBJaMycal HastyNew England PatriotsAugust 5, 20251 year, $1.17 millionSJaylinn HawkinsNew England PatriotsMarch 13, 20251 year, $1.8 millionTEAustin HooperNew England PatriotsMarch 14, 20251 year, $5 millionCBJonathan JonesWashington CommandersMarch 14, 20251 year, $5.5 millionKJoey SlyeTennessee TitansMarch 24, 20251 year, $1.295 millionDEDeatrich Wise Jr.Washington CommandersMarch 19, 20251 year, $3.25 millionLBOshane Ximines
Restricted PositionPlayer2025 teamDate signedContractLBChristian EllissNew England PatriotsMarch 25, 20252 years, $13.508 million
Exclusive Rights PositionPlayer2025 teamDate signedContractCBAlex AustinNew England PatriotsTBC1 year, $1.03 millionCBen BrownNew England PatriotsTBC1 year, $1.03 millionOTDemontrey JacobsNew England PatriotsTBC1 year, $960,000DTJeremiah Pharms Jr.New England PatriotsTBC2 years, $2.475 million
Signings/waiver claims
PositionPlayerPrevious teamDate signedContractOLBHarold LandryTennessee TitansMarch 12, 20253 years, $43.5 millionCBCarlton DavisDetroit LionsMarch 13, 20253 years, $54 millionOTMorgan MosesNew York Jets3 years, $24 millionILBRobert SpillaneLas Vegas Raiders3 years, $33 millionDTMilton WilliamsPhiladelphia Eagles4 years, $104 millionSMarcus EppsLas Vegas RaidersMarch 14, 20251 year, $2.025 millionWRMack HollinsBuffalo Bills2 years, $8.4 millionNTKhyiris TongaArizona Cardinals1 year, $2.1 millionOLBK'Lavon ChaissonLas Vegas RaidersMarch 17, 20251 year, $3.0 millionGWes SchweitzerNew York Jets1 year, $1.55 millionQBJoshua DobbsSan Francisco 49ersMarch 18, 20252 years, $8.0 millionCGarrett BradburyMinnesota VikingsMarch 19, 20252 years, $9.5 millionLBJack GibbensTennessee Titans1 year, $1.3 millionWRStefon DiggsHouston TexansMarch 28, 20253 years, $63.5 millionDTIsaiah ItonTennessee TitansMay 12, 20251 year, $840,000RBTrayveon WilliamsCincinnati BengalsMay 14, 20251 year, $1.17 millionOTYasir DurantDC DefendersJune 24, 20251 year, $1.03 millionDTDavid OlajigaLos Angeles RamsJuly 20, 20251 year, $840,000TETyler DavisGreen Bay PackersJuly 30, 20251 year, $1.1 millionTECole FotheringhamDenver Broncos1 year, $840,000CAlec LindstromMemphis Showboats1 year, $960,000CBTre AverySan Francisco 49ersAugust 5, 20251 year, $1.1 millionRBDeneric PrinceMemphis ShowboatsAugust 10, 20251 year, $960,000NTKyle PekoDetroit LionsAugust 11, 20251 year, $1.255 millionQBTommy DeVitoNew York GiantsAugust 27, 20251 year, $1.03 millionCBCharles WoodsLos Angeles Rams1 year, $960,000
Releases/waivers PositionPlayerDate released/waivedLBSione TakitakiFebruary 19, 2025CDavid AndrewsMarch 13, 2025LBCurtis JacobsMarch 21, 2025OTCaleb JonesLBAndrew Parker Jr.CLecitus SmithLBJa'Whaun BentleyMarch 28, 2025CJake AndrewsApril 28, 2025DTMarcus HarrisWRJaQuae JacksonLBTitus LeoSMark PerryTEGiovanni RicciLSJoe CardonaApril 29, 2025OTCole BirdowMay 12, 2025DTEric Johnson IIMay 14, 2025DTWilfried PeneJune 26, 2025WRDemeer BlankumseeJuly 30, 2025OTYasir DurantRBTrayveon WilliamsTETyler DavisAugust 5, 2025SJosh MinkinsAugust 10, 2025DTBryce GaniousAugust 11, 2025RBDeneric PrinceAugust 12, 2025DTIsaiah ItonAugust 18, 2025CBTre AveryAugust 19, 2025DEJereme RobinsonTEJaheim BellAugust 22, 2025RBMicah BernardDTPhilip BlidiCBIsaiah BoldenTECole FotheringhamWRPhil LutzLBR.J. MotenDTKyle PekoCBJordan PolkLBMonty RiceOGTyrese RobinsonOGSidy SowRBShane WattsQBBen WooldridgeOGLayden RobinsonAugust 24, 2025CBMiles BattleAugust 26, 2025OGMehki ButlerOGJack ConleyCBBrandon CrossleyTECJ DippreSMarcus EppsRBJaMycal HastyOTDemontrey JacobsRBTerrell JenningsWRJohn JilesDETruman JonesCAlec LindstromCBKobee MinorDTDavid OlajigaLBCam RileyDTJahvaree RitzieKJohn Parker RomoTEGee Scott Jr.OGCole StrangeLBBradyn SwinsonWRJeremiah WebbWRJavon BakerAugust 27, 2025WRKendrick BourneSJabrill PeppersAugust 29, 2025CBrenden JaimesDecember 29, 2025CBMiles BattleDTJeremiah Pharms Jr.January 3, 2026RBD'Ernest JohnsonJanuary 12, 2026
Retirements PositionPlayerDate released/waivedGWes SchweitzerJune 10, 2025
Trades March 12 – Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was traded to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round selection. April 3 – Quarterback Joe Milton III and a 2025 seventh-round selection (217th overall) were traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round selection (171st overall). September 13 – Wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk and a 2028 seventh-round selection were traded to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. October 29 – Defensive end Keion White and a 2026 seventh-round selection were traded to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. October 30 – Safety Kyle Dugger and a 2026 seventh-round selection were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Draft
+ 2025 New England Patriots draft selections Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 4 Will Campbell OT LSU 2 38 TreVeyon Henderson RB Ohio State 3 69 Kyle Williams WR Washington State 95 Jared Wilson C Georgia From Chiefs 4 106 Craig Woodson S California 137 Joshua Farmer DT Florida State From Seahawks 5 146 Bradyn Swinson DE LSU From Carolina 6 182 Andrés Borregales K Miami From Jaguars via Lions7 220 Marcus Bryant OT Missouri 251 Julian Ashby LS Vanderbilt From Chiefs 257 Kobee Minor CB Memphis From Chiefs
+ 2025 New England Patriots undrafted free agents Name Position College Ref. Cole Birdow OT Merrimack Demeer Blankumsee WR Memphis Efton Chism WR Eastern Washington Jack Conley OG Boston College Brandon Crossley CB SMU CJ Dippre TE Alabama Brock Lampe FB Northern Illinois Lan Larison RB UC Davis Josh Minkins S Cincinnati Jordan Polk CB Texas State Elijah Ponder LB Cal Poly Cam Riley LB Florida StateJahvaree RitzieDTNorth Carolina Gee Scott Jr. TE Ohio State Jeremiah Webb WR South Alabama Ben Wooldridge QB Louisiana Mehki Butler OG Arkansas State Wilfried Pene DT Virginia Tech R.J. Moten LB Florida Bryce Ganious DT Wake Forest Jereme RobinsonDEKansasShane WattsRBFort Hays State Phil Lutz WR Delaware Micah Bernard RB Utah Philip Blidi DT Auburn
Draft trades
Staff
Final roster
Preseason On August 8, prior to the team's first preseason game, the statue of Tom Brady was unveiled outside of Gillette Stadium, with Tom Brady in attendance.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Washington Commanders W 48–18 1–0 Gillette Stadium Recap 2 at Minnesota Vikings W 20–12 2–0 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap 3 at New York Giants L 10–42 2–1 MetLife Stadium Recap
Regular season Schedule