New England Patriots
Wolf touched on a variety of subjects as the Patriots kick off their offseason.
Eliot Wolf Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
-
Patriots cut running back Antonio Gibson to save cap space
-
AJ Brown recalls ‘critical’ Mike Vrabel moments that changed hatred to respect
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf addressed the media on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting combine in Indianapolis, touching on a variety of subjects as the team advances into the offseason.
Topics ranged from how this year’s Super Bowl changed his perception on where the Patriots are at, future plans for key players such as Stefon Diggs, and how the Patriots are viewing the left-tackle spot.
The Patriots will be keeping an eye out for talent this week, and Wolf said he’s willing to explore every avenue to improve the team. Here are five takeaways from his appearance.
Will Campbell didn’t look the same after injury.
It’s no secret that rookie left-tackle Will Campbell struggled throughout the playoffs, and especially in the Super Bowl. Coach Mike Vrabel said earlier this month that there are no plans to move Campbell to a different position.
Wolf said he saw a noticeable difference in Campbell’s play after he returned from an MCL sprain that landed him on injured reserve for several weeks.
“Continuity is tremendously important,” Wolf said. “We were actually fairly healthy on the offensive line this year, and I felt like those guys were able to gel and play well. And Will specifically, when he came back from that injury, I personally didn’t see the same level of lower body strength that you saw before the injury. I think the film would attest to that.
“He probably had three of his four worst games in the playoffs,” Wolf added. “But before that, I thought Will played really well all year. I know everyone talks about the arm length, but he has a set of skills that enable him to play with that arm length.”
The Patriots hope that the young offensive tackle, whom they took No. 4 overall last year, will show improvement as he continues to develop.
“He’s really quick out of his stance. He’s technically sound,” Wolf said. “He’s adding more and more different pass sets to his tool bag that he can use to combat different rushes. And again, he’s 22 years old and we expect some improvement out of him as well.”
Reports of interest in Rasheed Walker are ‘not true.’
Wolf addressed a report from NFL insider Jason La Canfora that said the Patriots were interested in adding Green Bay left tackle Rasheed Walker.
“I saw that report and it’s not true. He’s under contract with the Packers right now and the two teams that were linked to that particular player both drafted left tackles in the first round last year, so I’m not sure how accurate that would be.”
Wolf mentioned tackle depth as an area of need for the Patriots, as Vederian Lowe and Thayer Munford are set to hit free-agency. Morgan Moses is expected to return, but at age 35 the Patriots could use depth behind him as well. Campbell’s playoff struggles have also raised questions.
No answer on Stefon Diggs yet.
Wolf did not offer any specific details when asked about Stefon Diggs’s future with the team.
“I’m not going to get into any specific players today,” Wolf said. “There are certain conversations that we’re having, and we’ll see what happens with everyone.”
Diggs just finished the first year of a three-year contract. With two years left on his deal, Diggs said that he hopes to return to the Patriots. He also acknowledged that it’s not entirely up to him whether he does or not. The Patriots will keep looking to improve their roster with younger, cheaper, players Vrabel said recently.
Diggs, the first Patriots receiver to record a 1,000-yard season since Julian Edelman, is scheduled to have a $26.5 million cap hit for next season.
According to Spotrac, Diggs’s 2026 cap hit would drop to $8 million if he is cut or traded before June 1st.
Patriots aren’t in rebuilding mode anymore.
Wolf said he is proud of the progress that the Patriots made, going from 4-13 last season to making a surprise Super Bowl appearance earlier this month.
But, the Patriots still have a number of holes to address, including wide receiver, offensive tackle, and edge rusher.
“I don’t know that I’d call it a rebuild,” Wolf said. “I think we have a nice core of players, whether that’s the core of veteran players that we rely on or some of the younger, up and coming players like the rookies that were mentioned earlier.”
“So, again, I just think every year is an opportunity. Every year is different. Every year is an opportunity in free agency and the draft to improve the roster. And it’s not just free agency in the draft. It’s trades, it’s waiver claims, it’s restricted free agency, all those things. We’re going to explore everything that we can.”
New England would welcome Jaylinn Hawkins back.
Safety Jaylinn Hawkins will have to weigh his options this offseason. He said after the Super Bowl that he would like to return to the Patriots but also has to see what happens in the free-agent market.
Wolf said the Patriots are interested in retaining him. Hawkins had a team-high four interceptions last season and made 71 tackles along with 1.5 sacks and six pass breakups.
“Obviously, [Jaylinn] Hawkins is a free agent and he’s earned the earned the opportunity to see what’s out there,” Wolf said. “But he’s certainly someone that we would welcome back.”
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
