Chad Graff
@chadgraff.bsky.social
Senior writer at The Athletic covering the Patriots. Adjunct professor at Northeastern. High-handicapped golfer, low-rated tennis player, seeker of a good old fashioned.
A story to bookmark for the next month: @theathletic.com's top 150 NFL free agents with contract projections for each. www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
2026 NFL free-agency rankings: Trey Hendrickson, Daniel Jones, Kenneth Walker lead top 150
Hendrickson tops the list as he prepares to move on from the Bengals, but where does Super Bowl MVP Walker land?
www.nytimes.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:31 PM
A story to bookmark for the next month: @theathletic.com's top 150 NFL free agents with contract projections for each. www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
A look at the Patriots' upcoming free agents, including who they might try to re-sign. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Patriots free agents: Ranking their top players expected to be available
After a Super Bowl run, will Mike Vrabel and the Pats try to keep their seven free agents, or will they go on another spending spree?
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:27 PM
A look at the Patriots' upcoming free agents, including who they might try to re-sign. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Patriots mock draft 1.0: Do you go O-line or edge rusher in the first round? Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Patriots NFL mock draft: Could New England address the offensive line in Round 1?
After the O-line debacle in the Super Bowl, the Patriots could stand to bring in some depth at tackle. Alabama's Kadyn Proctor would help.
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Patriots mock draft 1.0: Do you go O-line or edge rusher in the first round? Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
How will we remember the 2025 Patriots?
Probably as the team that made it fun to watch the Pats again. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Probably as the team that made it fun to watch the Pats again. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
How will we remember the 2025 Patriots? As their most fun team in a generation
The 2025 Patriots will be remembered for reaching the Super Bowl, but there was also something special about their positivity and energy.
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:50 PM
How will we remember the 2025 Patriots?
Probably as the team that made it fun to watch the Pats again. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Probably as the team that made it fun to watch the Pats again. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
The Patriots’ offense had been incredible. Drake Maye had been Superman.
But in the playoffs, it fell apart.
Story on how a magical season ended: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
But in the playoffs, it fell apart.
Story on how a magical season ended: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Struggles continue for Drake Maye, Patriots offense in Super Bowl loss to Seahawks
www.nytimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:22 PM
The Patriots’ offense had been incredible. Drake Maye had been Superman.
But in the playoffs, it fell apart.
Story on how a magical season ended: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
But in the playoffs, it fell apart.
Story on how a magical season ended: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Final: Seahawks 29, Patriots 13
A crushing end to a magical season for the Patriots. The offense was a mess in the Super Bowl. And much of the postseason.
Into an offseason full of questions now.
A crushing end to a magical season for the Patriots. The offense was a mess in the Super Bowl. And much of the postseason.
Into an offseason full of questions now.
February 9, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Final: Seahawks 29, Patriots 13
A crushing end to a magical season for the Patriots. The offense was a mess in the Super Bowl. And much of the postseason.
Into an offseason full of questions now.
A crushing end to a magical season for the Patriots. The offense was a mess in the Super Bowl. And much of the postseason.
Into an offseason full of questions now.
Drake Maye has just been off tonight.
He's 7-of-16 for 56 yards and has been sacked four times.
He's 7-of-16 for 56 yards and has been sacked four times.
February 9, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Drake Maye has just been off tonight.
He's 7-of-16 for 56 yards and has been sacked four times.
He's 7-of-16 for 56 yards and has been sacked four times.
The Patriots aren't going to beat this Seattle defense from third-and-long. They've got to be better on early downs.
They've faced third downs of 9, 15, 17, 7, and 12 so far.
They've faced third downs of 9, 15, 17, 7, and 12 so far.
February 9, 2026 at 12:56 AM
The Patriots aren't going to beat this Seattle defense from third-and-long. They've got to be better on early downs.
They've faced third downs of 9, 15, 17, 7, and 12 so far.
They've faced third downs of 9, 15, 17, 7, and 12 so far.
Patriots drives so far:
8 plays, 28 yards punt
4 plays, 6 yards, punt
3 plays, 5 yards, punt
3 plays, -2 yards, punt
6 plays, 10 yards, punt
8 plays, 28 yards punt
4 plays, 6 yards, punt
3 plays, 5 yards, punt
3 plays, -2 yards, punt
6 plays, 10 yards, punt
February 9, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Patriots drives so far:
8 plays, 28 yards punt
4 plays, 6 yards, punt
3 plays, 5 yards, punt
3 plays, -2 yards, punt
6 plays, 10 yards, punt
8 plays, 28 yards punt
4 plays, 6 yards, punt
3 plays, 5 yards, punt
3 plays, -2 yards, punt
6 plays, 10 yards, punt
With 11 minutes left in the first half, there still hasn't been a single flag thrown.
I like that refs are letting them play ... let's just hope if they're going to call it this way, it stays in the second half too.
I like that refs are letting them play ... let's just hope if they're going to call it this way, it stays in the second half too.
February 9, 2026 at 12:26 AM
With 11 minutes left in the first half, there still hasn't been a single flag thrown.
I like that refs are letting them play ... let's just hope if they're going to call it this way, it stays in the second half too.
I like that refs are letting them play ... let's just hope if they're going to call it this way, it stays in the second half too.
The Seahawks don't blitz often.
But their blitzes so far have dominated the Patriots.
But their blitzes so far have dominated the Patriots.
February 9, 2026 at 12:06 AM
The Seahawks don't blitz often.
But their blitzes so far have dominated the Patriots.
But their blitzes so far have dominated the Patriots.
Anfernee Jennings is an under-discussed important player for the Patriots.
The Seahawks are so good on those outside runs. Jennings needs to set the edge better than he did on the opening play.
The Seahawks are so good on those outside runs. Jennings needs to set the edge better than he did on the opening play.
February 8, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Anfernee Jennings is an under-discussed important player for the Patriots.
The Seahawks are so good on those outside runs. Jennings needs to set the edge better than he did on the opening play.
The Seahawks are so good on those outside runs. Jennings needs to set the edge better than he did on the opening play.
Josh McDaniels’ winding path has him on the verge of history and a seventh Super Bowl. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Josh McDaniels’ winding road back to another Super Bowl with the Patriots
The veteran offensive coordinator is back for his third run in New England armed with new teachings from some of the country's best coaches.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Josh McDaniels’ winding path has him on the verge of history and a seventh Super Bowl. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Good news/bad news for the Patriots at practice today.
Good: Drake Maye was a full participant.
Bad: Leading tackler Robert Spillane still isn’t practicing. Though he said he plans to play in the Super Bowl.
Good: Drake Maye was a full participant.
Bad: Leading tackler Robert Spillane still isn’t practicing. Though he said he plans to play in the Super Bowl.
February 5, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Good news/bad news for the Patriots at practice today.
Good: Drake Maye was a full participant.
Bad: Leading tackler Robert Spillane still isn’t practicing. Though he said he plans to play in the Super Bowl.
Good: Drake Maye was a full participant.
Bad: Leading tackler Robert Spillane still isn’t practicing. Though he said he plans to play in the Super Bowl.
John Streicher has quietly been one of the most influential guys in this incredible Patriots turnaround.
Meet the man known as Stretch: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Meet the man known as Stretch: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Meet John Streicher, the guy behind the guy most responsible for the Patriots’ turnaround
Though he prefers to remain behind the scenes, Mike Vrabel's right-hand man has played a huge role in the Patriots' success this season.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:48 PM
John Streicher has quietly been one of the most influential guys in this incredible Patriots turnaround.
Meet the man known as Stretch: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Meet the man known as Stretch: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Why are the Patriots — the home team in the Super Bowl — actually in the more cramped visitor’s locker room?
Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Road uniforms and a locker-room snafu: 10 details about Patriots' Super Bowl week
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Why are the Patriots — the home team in the Super Bowl — actually in the more cramped visitor’s locker room?
Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Craig Woodson and a 13-member rookie class are helping propel this magical Patriots run. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Craig Woodson and the Patriots’ 13-player rookie class have spurred a Super Bowl run
While Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson have inspired an offensive surge, safety Craig Woodson has been a huge factor on defense.
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Craig Woodson and a 13-member rookie class are helping propel this magical Patriots run. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Bill Belichick was snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will not be a first ballot inductee. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Bill Belichick, legendary Patriots coach, snubbed by Pro Football Hall of Fame: Source
Bill Belichick, who won six Super Bowls in New England, was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first time on the ballot.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Bill Belichick was snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will not be a first ballot inductee. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Mike Vrabel transformed the Patriots' roster. But then he needed to make them a team.
So instead of jumping into Xs and Os, he asked about four Hs. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
So instead of jumping into Xs and Os, he asked about four Hs. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Instead of X's and O's, Mike Vrabel opted for 4 H's to spur Patriots' turnaround
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Mike Vrabel transformed the Patriots' roster. But then he needed to make them a team.
So instead of jumping into Xs and Os, he asked about four Hs. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
So instead of jumping into Xs and Os, he asked about four Hs. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
"It's all about the coach, man."
Mike Vrabel's insane turnaround of the Patriots is nearly complete ... and it's still Year 1. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Mike Vrabel's insane turnaround of the Patriots is nearly complete ... and it's still Year 1. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Mike Vrabel’s turnaround of the Patriots is nearly complete: ‘It’s all about the coach’
In his first season back in New England, Vrabel outmaneuvered Sean Payton on the way to his first Super Bowl as a head coach.
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:09 PM
"It's all about the coach, man."
Mike Vrabel's insane turnaround of the Patriots is nearly complete ... and it's still Year 1. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Mike Vrabel's insane turnaround of the Patriots is nearly complete ... and it's still Year 1. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
The Patriots open as 4-point underdogs for the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks.
January 26, 2026 at 2:59 AM
The Patriots open as 4-point underdogs for the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks.
Another poor punt from Bryce Baringer.
Now it's all up to the Patriots' defense.
Up three. Three minutes left. Super Bowl on the line.
Now it's all up to the Patriots' defense.
Up three. Three minutes left. Super Bowl on the line.
January 25, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Another poor punt from Bryce Baringer.
Now it's all up to the Patriots' defense.
Up three. Three minutes left. Super Bowl on the line.
Now it's all up to the Patriots' defense.
Up three. Three minutes left. Super Bowl on the line.
Drake Maye has more rushing yards (64) than passing yards (55).
January 25, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Drake Maye has more rushing yards (64) than passing yards (55).
Halftime: Patriots 7, Broncos 7
The Patriots have to be ecstatic to be tied. They've basically played their 'D' game.
They have fewer rushing yards, fewer passing yards, fewer first downs, and less time of possession than the Broncos.
And it's still tied.
The Patriots have to be ecstatic to be tied. They've basically played their 'D' game.
They have fewer rushing yards, fewer passing yards, fewer first downs, and less time of possession than the Broncos.
And it's still tied.
January 25, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Halftime: Patriots 7, Broncos 7
The Patriots have to be ecstatic to be tied. They've basically played their 'D' game.
They have fewer rushing yards, fewer passing yards, fewer first downs, and less time of possession than the Broncos.
And it's still tied.
The Patriots have to be ecstatic to be tied. They've basically played their 'D' game.
They have fewer rushing yards, fewer passing yards, fewer first downs, and less time of possession than the Broncos.
And it's still tied.
I don't have access to the in-game numbers, but it sure feels like the Patriots are sending the house so often on these blitzes.
Trying to force more mistakes from Jarrett Stidham.
Trying to force more mistakes from Jarrett Stidham.
January 25, 2026 at 9:20 PM
I don't have access to the in-game numbers, but it sure feels like the Patriots are sending the house so often on these blitzes.
Trying to force more mistakes from Jarrett Stidham.
Trying to force more mistakes from Jarrett Stidham.