Chad Graff

The New England Patriots’ decision-makers have been working to finalize a plan for Thursday’s start of the , which they enter with the franchise’s highest pick since they took Drew Bledsoe with the first overall selection in 1993. The hope from ownership on down is that this draft jump-starts a quick rebuild with a group of players who become cornerstones of the roster for years to come. So with the stakes incredibly high, here’s what we’ve heard from team and league sources with knowledge of th…

The are listening and taking calls from teams looking to move up to the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, league sources said. Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf is running point but New England president Jonathan Kraft is heavily involved in the decision making, according to those sources. Advertisement Last week, Wolf, the man tapped by owner Robert Kraft to have final say in the Patriots’ front office, was rather blunt in addressing the team’s interest in trading back. “We’re open for…

The returned from the scouting combine in Indianapolis with a plan to improve their quarterback position, and with some fresh intel from around the league on what other teams are interested in. That’s why trades so often follow these events. There are a number of ways the can improve their team. They could have more than $100 million in cap space when free agency opens next week and they have the No. 3 pick in the draft. But they could still survey the trade market, perhaps most notably by lo…

special teams standout is retiring after 16 seasons with New England, he announced Tuesday. He’s one of the most decorated special teams players in history with two first-team All-Pro distinctions and 10 Pro Bowl nods. Slater, 38, earned his All-Pro accolades in the 2016 and 2019. He also picked up three Super Bowl rings during his time with the Patriots. The Patriots selected Slater with their fifth-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft as a wide receiver, but landed a roster spot because of speci…

In the video, Tom Brady sits with his legs crossed and looks into the camera. He’s trying to express just how bad things had gotten between him and Bill Belichick in the late 2010s, toward the end of their 20-year run together with the . By now, everyone knows how that time ended — with Brady fleeing the often-miserable ship Belichick presided over for greener pastures in Tampa Bay. Belichick didn’t offer the two-year, $50 million contract Brady wanted, one that would have given the legendary qu…

Breaking : ’s ride with the may be over. Multiple league sources confirmed Wednesday the will for their final two games and start . Denver (7-8) hosts the on Sunday and visits the in Week 18. Wilson will be the No. 2 quarterback, a team source said. Wilson expects to be , per The Athletic ’s Dianna Russini. That would be just two years after the Broncos traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks, three players and more to Seattle , a nine-time Pro Bowler with the . has thrown for…

For what felt like the first time in years, the offense looked explosive at points during the team’s 26-23 win over the on Sunday night. The upset was clinched in the final seconds of regulation as New England kicker drilled a game-winning 56-yard field goal. Patriots QB tossed for 256 yards on 25-of-33 passing with two touchdowns, connecting on four 20-plus yard passes while spreading the ball around to seven receivers. The former backup ignited a dormant offense with a 20-point third quart…

The AFC East changed with realignment and ’s reign in the early 2000s. Then, once the Patriots’ grip on the division loosened with Brady’s exit in 2020, and the assumed the lead role. Aaron Rodgers’ addition to the this offseason adds yet another swerve for 2023. Is this suddenly the best and deepest division in football? The Athletic ’s Zack Rosenblatt (), Mike Jones (), Tim Graham (Bills) and Chad Graff () discuss the ins and outs of a new day in the AFC East. With Rodgers’ addition to the…

New England needs to get better at wide receiver and cornerback, but much of the team’s fate depends on the progress of QB Mac Jones.

The playoff-bound defeated the 22-18 on Saturday at Gillette Stadium. Here’s what you need to know: The loss makes a postseason berth look out of reach for the Patriots (7-8), who were held scoreless through the first half but threatened a fourth-quarter comeback. The clinched a playoff spot with their win over the and New England’s loss. Bengals (11-4) quarterback went 40-of-52 passing for 375 yards, three touchdowns (two to receiver ) and two interceptions in his team’s seventh straight w…