Patriots Remain Atop AFC East, Bills Aim to Reclaim Division Crown

New England and Buffalo lead the way in the competitive AFC East heading into 2026 season

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The 2025-26 NFL season saw the New England Patriots return to the Super Bowl, while the Buffalo Bills were eliminated in the divisional round. With the offseason underway, the AFC East is shaping up to be a competitive battle between the Patriots and Bills, who are looking to regain their spot atop the division. The New York Jets and Miami Dolphins also have questions to answer at the quarterback position as they aim to improve in 2026.

Why it matters

The AFC East has been dominated by the Patriots for years, but the Bills have emerged as a top contender in recent seasons. This offseason will be crucial as the division rivals jockey for position heading into next year. The Jets and Dolphins, meanwhile, are seeking to rebuild and challenge the Patriots and Bills for supremacy in the AFC East.

The details

The Patriots exceeded expectations in 2025, reaching the Super Bowl in head coach Mike Vrabel's first season. Quarterback Drake Maye was a runner-up for MVP, while cornerback Christian Gonzalez emerged as one of the league's best defensive backs. New England enters the offseason with $42 million in cap space, giving them flexibility to add talent. The Bills, on the other hand, are $9 million over the cap and have key free agents to re-sign. After a disappointing playoff exit, Buffalo fired head coach Sean McDermott and promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to lead the team. The Jets and Dolphins both have uncertainty at quarterback, with the Jets potentially moving on from Justin Fields and the Dolphins considering trading or cutting Tua Tagovailoa.

  • The 2025-26 NFL season ended this past Sunday with the Seattle Seahawks defeating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
  • The Bills were eliminated in the AFC Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos.

The players

New England Patriots

The AFC Champion Patriots exceeded expectations in 2025, reaching the Super Bowl in head coach Mike Vrabel's first season. Quarterback Drake Maye was a runner-up for MVP, while cornerback Christian Gonzalez emerged as one of the league's best defensive backs. New England enters the offseason with $42 million in cap space.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills were eliminated in the AFC Divisional Round, leading to the firing of head coach Sean McDermott. The team promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to lead the charge, but they face salary cap challenges with key free agents to re-sign.

New York Jets

The Jets had a disappointing season under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn, leading to the firing of several assistant coaches. The team needs to address the quarterback position, with questions surrounding Justin Fields' future.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are also in flux at quarterback, with Tua Tagovailoa struggling and the team potentially moving on from him. With a new general manager and head coach Jeff Hafley, the Dolphins are looking to chart a new direction.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The AFC East remains a competitive division, with the Patriots and Bills leading the way. However, the Jets and Dolphins are also looking to make strides and challenge the division's top teams. This offseason will be crucial as the teams position themselves for the 2026 season.