New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye

Patriots free agency tracker: Live rumors, news, updates on signings to help Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots have already been active in free agency.

And it's just Monday of the opening week, with the negotiating window having opened at 12 noon. Signings can't become official until Wednesday.

The Patriots entered the day with more than $45 million in available cap space, and they're putting that to good use.

It's a crucial offseason for New England after they arrived ahead of schedule a year ago.

MORE: Check out our full NFL free agency tracker here

The Pats got a huge lift from first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, and Drake Maye took a huge step forward in his second season as New England QB.

That led them to an AFC East title and all the way to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks.

Now looking at a tougher schedule for the season ahead, the Patriots would love to prove that there were no flukes.

That starts with free agency.

This is a tracker of what the Pats are up to.

MORE: Travis Kelce reveals why he didn't retire and signed back with Chiefs

Patriots free agency rumors, news, live updates

Refresh for the latest. Times all in ET.

WEDNESDAY

5:45 p.m.: The Pats have signed TE Julian Hill and S Mike Brown, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

4:55 p.m.: The Patriots could target a familiar face from the division to replace Austin Hooper. The Dolphinscut ties with Julian Hill, their big tight end, on Wednesday.

4:30 p.m.: Of note to the AFC East -- Bradley Chubb has left the Dolphins and signed with the Bills to bolster Buffalo's pass rush.

3:10 p.m.: The Patriots lose safety Jaylinn Hawkins in a deal to the Baltimore Ravens, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

2:40 p.m.: A big deal as the Patriots sign three-time Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard to a one-year contract for $9 million, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

1:20 p.m.: A good reminder on X from NFL analyst Kevin Massare: "Apparently another reminder needed on NFL Free Agency. It doesn't END at 4pm. It STARTS then. There's a large list of players who are currently unsigned that will greatly help good football teams this year."

12:45 p.m.: Remember Jacoby Brissett? Well, he's primed to be a starting NFL QB for the 2026 season.

12:20 p.m.: The Patriots have signed a linebacker from the division rival Dolphins -- it's a one-year deal for KJ Britt, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

9:30 a.m.: The Patriots are releasing Anfernee Jennings, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

9 a.m.: The Washington Commanders have signed former Patriots edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's for one year and $12 million.

8:40 a.m.: The Patriots aren't expected to be in on Maxx Crosby, but the continued saga of him moving or not moving around the AFC could eventually impact the playoff picture and the Pats.

8 a.m.: The Romeo Doubs signing was brilliant in part because of how it impacts A.J. Brown trade talks. You can read more about that at this link.

6:45 a.m.: It's a big day in the NFL free agent process. No deals are actually official yet. At 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) on Wednesday, contracts can become official and players can fully join their new teams. That's when teams will start making lots of announcements on social media. This is also the day many releases can become official across the league, which could create the potential for more deals.

TUESDAY

11 p.m.: One thing worth noting is that the Patriots could have more moves coming soon because certain releases don't actually process until the league year begins on Wednesday. That'll impact available players and cap room.

5:20 p.m.: If any team wanted to get weird with a running back addition, Devonta Freeman wants to make an NFL comeback. But he's 34, so that would be quite the thing.

4:40 p.m.: Bengals free agent Trey Hendrickson is lingering and apparently getting inquiries from all over. Could a sleeper team emerge? Stay tuned.

2:25 p.m.: You can read more about the Romeo Doubs signing impact at this link.

2:15 p.m.: The Patriots have their new WR1: Romeo Doubs signs in free agency from the Packers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

1:55 p.m.: There's reason to believe the Patriots could trade for A.J. Brown from the Eagles. You can read more about that at this link.

10:45 a.m.: Something to note as the free agency tampering window continues into a second day: Things will definitely be slower today. Guys that weren't signed immediately usually weren't signed immediately for a reason. Either they really are taking their time intentionally, or they don't have the interest they want. Plenty more deals will come, but they could be stretched out over the next handful of days.

8:37 a.m.: The Patriots might need a No. 2 TE, which is a subtle but intriguing position to watch on Tuesday after Austin Hooper's departure.

7:45 a.m.: ESPN's Mike Reiss reports that new signing Alijah Vera-Tucker is projected to start at left guard.

6:45 a.m.: A couple key things to note as Tuesday gets underway. Free agency operates much the same way today as it did Monday. It's still the "legal tampering" period. Deals can't be made official until Wednesday. There are still a good chunk of free agents on the board, so more news should emerge throughout the day.

MONDAY

Midnight: The Patriots have signed Alijah Vera-Tucker to a three-year, $42 million deal, getting the offensive lineman away from the New York Jets. Reporting by multiple, including Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

11:30 p.m.: One other note to wrap up the day: Earlier, Austin Hooper signed with the Falcons, leaving the Patriots with Hunter Henry but potentially a TE2 opening.

10 p.m.: By the evening, Jones and Gilliam remained the Patriots' only signings.

4:27 p.m.: The Patriots were active early and will now look to just build around the edges.

4:17 p.m.: A loss for the Patriots as offensive tackle Vederian Lowe is going to the 49ers on a two-year contract, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

2:20 p.m.: News that Mike Evans is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sign with the San Francisco 49ers is shocking. It also officially removes New England from possibly ending up with Evans.

2:10 p.m.: Khyiris Tonga, a DT, has left for the Chiefs, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

1:15 p.m.: The Pats strike a blow to division rival Buffalo by signing their reliable fullback, Reggie Gilliam, to a reported three-year, $12 million contract.

12:15 p.m.: The Patriots strike early, landing Dre'Mont Jones on a three-year, $39.5 million contract after he ended last season with the Ravens.

Patriots free agent signings

  • Two signings at once on Wednesday: TE Julian Hill and S Mike Brown.
  • Another big move: Kevin Byard is coming to New England's secondary from the Bears.
  • A big one: Romeo Doubs joins the Patriots from the Packers to be the Pats' new top receiver.
  • The Patriots add to the offensive line with Alijah Vera-Tucker from the Jets.
  • The Patriots got Dre'Mont Jones, a pass rusher, on a three-year, $39.5 million deal.
  • The Pats swiped fullback Reggie Gilliam from the Bills for three years and $12 million.

Patriots free agent losses

  • The Patriots, before free agency arrived, released RB Antonio Gibson.
  • The Patriots have lost DT Khyiris Tonga in a signing to the Chiefs.
  • Vederian Lowe, an offensive tackle, leaves for the 49ers.
  • The Patriots lost TE Austin Hooper to the Falcons.
  • K'Lavon Chaisson left for a one-year contract with the Commanders.
  • The Pats are releasing Anfernee Jennings from the defense.
  • Jaylinn Hawkins is leaving to play safety for the Ravens.

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