Getty

Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

It would be reasonable to be optimistic about the New England Patriots 2026 season. After all, they just came off a Super Bowl run and are returning many of the same pieces. However, one writer made sure to keep things in perspective, despite things looking up for the Patriots.

The Patriots will be returning several key players to the roster, including quarterback Drake Maye. They also made several free-agent additions, including adding wide receiver Romeo Doubs, defensive end Dre’Mont Jones, and safety Kevin Byard. They were even able to address the fullback position, adding Reggie Gilliam.

Things seem to be lining up for the Patriots to have another strong season. However, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon believes that the Patriots could run into one specific problem.

A Super Bowl hangover and a distracting scandal involving head coach Mike Vrabel crush a young team as Drake Maye and Co. are exposed by a much more challenging schedule.

The Patriots are going to face a much more difficult schedule than they did last season. They will have to face the teams that made the 2025 postseason, including the likes of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Seattle Seahawks. This, of course, does not include their divisional matchups with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.

In addition to just the opponents they play, they will also have to face many of them on the road. The organization will play nine road games this upcoming fall. This marks a massive jump from the 2025 campaign, when they had the easiest schedule in the NFL. The Patriots’ combined opponents’ winning percentage was. 391.

This year, Patriots opponents have a. 531 winning percentage. This marks the sixth-hardest schedule in the NFL. There are even more caveats for the schedule. Because they won the AFC East last year, they have to face additional division winners as well. This means that they will have to take on the  Steelers, Jaguars, and Seahawks.

Positive Progress For Patriots Despite Concerns

This is certainly a valid concern. Last year, the Patriots did not have to face any overly difficult competition until the playoffs. They were tested by the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks. This represented a step up from the regular season. The combined record of New England’s playoff opponents was 51-17. That equaled out to a wanting percentage of. 750. This included three division winners before meeting the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

Maye was able to develop in his sophomore season. He threw for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.  This is certainly a promising development as he heads into his third year in the league.

It’s also worth noting that the defense played well under the then-interim defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr. They ranked fourth in scoring defense and eighth in total yards allowed. Now, Kuhr is the full-time defensive coordinator. He was promoted to the position in February. That familiarity could come in handy as the Patriots try to navigate this difficult schedule.

The Patriots will undoubtedly be challenged by next year’s schedule. This will be an opportunity for them to show the critics that 2025 wasn’t just a fluke. They will have the opportunity to do so sooner rather than later.