Patriots Rumors: NE 'Will Be Aggressive' in 2025 NFL Free Agency to Spend Salary Cap

The New England Patriots are expected to be active in free agency during the upcoming offseason, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

"With the most cap space in the league next season (approximately $96 million, per Roster Management System), the expectation is the Patriots will be aggressive from a roster-building standpoint," Reiss wrote on Monday.

It would also be a "surprise" if the team moves on from first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, per Reiss.

New England sits at 3-11 in 2024, experiencing its fair share of growing pains under Mayo. The Patriots are currently in the midst of a four-game losing streak and own the NFL's second-worst scoring offense, averaging a mere 17 points per game.

New England's defense hasn't fared much better, allowing opponents to rack up 344.8 total yards each week.

The are several reasons for optimism surrounding the team's long-term future, though. In addition to the Patriots' cap flexibility, they're also still in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Drake Maye has showed promise throughout his rookie season, allowing New England to target the best player available with its selection. Maye has completed 68.5 percent of his throws for 1,898 yards and 12 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions in 10 appearances.

The Patriots will likely focus on building around the signal-caller, and could use their cap space to add a standout wide receiver. Chad Graff of The Athletic reported on Dec. 9 that New England is going to be "all in" on Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins, who has racked up 669 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf is going to enter the 2025 offseason with several holes on the roster to fill, and it appears that he'll be aggressive in doing so.