Daily new and links for Tuesday.
TEAM TALK
- Patriots 2025 Mock Draft Tracker: Here’s what the experts are predicting the Pats will do at No. 4.
- Transaction: Patriots sign TE Giovanni Ricci to a futures contract.
- Podcast Trailer: 2004 – Yes, it’s a Dynasty: A Patriots Super Bowl Sound Odyssey. (1 min. video) Debuts 2/17/25.
- Throwback: Patriots Dynasty begins with Super Bowl XXXVI win vs. Rams. (1.30 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian says Mike Vrabel won’t wing it when it comes to addressing his team’s major needs; The Patriots have to back up the Brinks truck and get busy.
- Mark Daniels analyzes the Wide Receiver position: Pats need to rebuild their WR depth chart. Could they cut a veteran before signing a marquee free agent?
- Ian Logue notes Albert Breer believes it’s going to be difficult for the Patriots to try to get someone like Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins to come to Foxboro. “I don’t think he’ll come here.”
- Karen Guregian talks with Vince Wilfork, who says players will get a wake-up call from Mike Vrabel.
- Ian Logue transcribes Phil Perry’s interview with James White.
- Matt Dolloff passes along a report from Greg Bedard that the Patriots are hiring Todd Downing to be their WR coach. Downing was most recently with the Jets as their QB coach and passing game coordinator.
- Doug Kyed reports on the Pats hiring of Vrabel’s former OC Todd Downing to coach the WRs, and not bringing back special assistant to the head coach Matthew Slater.
- CLNS Media highlights Greg Bedard’s paywalled article detailing how Vrabel decided on McDaniels as his OC, plus the return of a beloved former coach.
- CLNS Media relays Greg Bedard saying Dante Scarnecchia could return as an adviser on an informal basis.
- Sara Marshall notes Jerod Mayo is considered a strong candidate to join Mike Tomlin’s staff in Pittsburgh.
- Alex Barth talks about how Myles Garrett’s trade request could impact the Pats’ offseason in more ways than one.
- Justin Ledger tells us to add Cooper Kupp to the list of potential Patriots WR targets for the upcoming offseason.
- Phil Perry lays out why the Patriots are the perfect team to make a push for Myles Garrett.
- Nick Goss relays Lindsay Rhodes who makes the case for the Pats taking LSU tackle Will Campbell with No. 4 pick.
- Phil Perry’s Mock Draft 2.0: Best-case scenario delivers two-way star Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter to the Pats.
- Sara Marshall points to a new mock draft that has the Patriots pulling off a perfect blockbuster trade.
- Nick Goss rounds up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts: Defensive upgrade best path for Patriots?
- Zolak & Bertrand guest Ryan Leaf talks about what separates Drake Maye and Caleb Williams right now.
- Darren Hartwell highlights former QB Rich Gannon sharing the incredible story behind why the Patriots traded him
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike and Murph discuss New England’s draft strategy: Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl standouts; Balancing needs and talent; More. (36 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Albert Breer (SI) Super Bowl lead-up takeaways: How teams can learn from Eagles’ Saquon Barkley signing; Plus, an early look at the 2025 draft standouts, and how Tom Brady’s influence is shaping the new-look Raiders.
- Sheil Kapadia (The Ringer) Super Bowl LIX Cheat Sheet: 25 Things to Know About Chiefs Vs. Eagles.
- Albert Breer (SI) Coaches and execs on Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl matchup: It’s hard picking against Kansas City.
- Kevin Patra (NFL.com) One offseason move for each team: AFC and NFC. Patriots: Remake Offensive Line.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Drake Maye eager to be coached by Josh McDaniels like Tom Brady was.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: Matthew Slater’s tenure with Patriots has ended.
- NFL Throwback (NFL.com) 60 minutes of Super Bowl highlights. (1 hour video)
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Joe Thuney can earn his 5th Super Bowl ring, Sunday. /Love ya Joe, but no.
- Liam McKeone (SI) New ESPN report details Ben Johnson’s massive contract with Bears.
- Daniel Oyefusi (ESPN) Star DE Myles Garrett requests Browns trade him to contender.
- Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Logical landing spots for Browns star Myles Garrett including Lions, Patriots.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Josh Allen “having dreams” about plays he wants back from AFC Championship Game.
- Report (NFL.com) Commissioner Roger Goodell talks DEI efforts, officiating, 18-game schedule, Justin Tucker, More
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL’s Bluesky hesitation is about the green. /Pay to play, lol.