Patriots Taking Major Risks in Offseason Moves

Alijah Vera-Tucker, A.J. Brown, and more highlight New England's gambles this offseason

Mar. 17, 2026 at 9:05am

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The New England Patriots have made several high-risk, high-reward moves this offseason, including signing injury-prone guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, pursuing a trade for Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, and relying on the aging offensive tackle Trent Moses and edge rusher Harold Landry. While these gambles could pay off big, they also carry significant downside if things don't go as planned.

Why it matters

The Patriots are looking to quickly rebuild and return to contention after a down year, and these offseason moves reflect a willingness to take on more risk in pursuit of impact talent. However, the team's long-term outlook could hinge on how these gambles pan out, as injuries, contract issues, and age-related decline could derail their plans.

The details

The Patriots signed Vera-Tucker, a talented but injury-prone guard, to bolster their offensive line, despite him missing 42 of 85 possible games in his career due to injuries. They also pursued a trade for Eagles star receiver A.J. Brown, which could still happen if the timing works out. Additionally, the team is relying on the 35-year-old Trent Moses to anchor the offensive line and hoping Harold Landry can regain his 2021 form after a knee injury last season.

  • Vera-Tucker has suffered season-ending injuries in three of his five seasons as a pro.
  • The Patriots had serious trade discussions with the Eagles about acquiring A.J. Brown last week.
  • Trent Moses turned 35 earlier this month.

The players

Alijah Vera-Tucker

A 26-year-old offensive guard who the Patriots plan to slot in at left guard, despite him missing 42 of 85 potential NFL games due to injury.

A.J. Brown

A three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, whom the Patriots have pursued in trade discussions.

Trent Moses

A 35-year-old offensive tackle who was a valuable addition for the Patriots last season, but whose play may decline as he enters the later stages of his career.

Harold Landry

An edge rusher for the Patriots who had 8.5 sacks last season, but whose pressure rate was relatively low and is coming off a knee injury.

Romeo Doubs

A 26-year-old wide receiver the Patriots signed, who they hope can make up for the production they lost when they released Stefon Diggs.

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What they’re saying

“Vera-Tucker in 2024 was one of the best guards in the NFL.”

— Eliot Wolf, Executive Vice President of Player Personnel, New England Patriots (nytimes.com)

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

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

What’s next

The Patriots will need to wait until June 1 to re-engage with the Eagles on a potential trade for A.J. Brown, as that would save the Eagles more in cap space.

The takeaway

The Patriots are clearly taking a high-risk, high-reward approach this offseason, betting on the upside of players like Vera-Tucker, Brown, and Landry despite their injury histories or other question marks. If these gambles pay off, the Patriots could quickly return to contention, but if they don't, it could set the franchise back significantly.