The New England Patriots have started signing players ahead of the 2026 season, looking to return to the Super Bowl.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed that the Pats have agreed to a one-year deal with linebacker Jesse Luketa.
The former Penn State standout recorded three sacks and one forced fumble in 10 games in 2024.
Luketa was part of the Los Angeles Rams practice squad but did not play a single game for the team in the 2025 season.
The Arizona Cardinals drafted the linebacker with the 256th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his three-year tenure with the Cardinals, Luketa recorded 3 sacks, 35 sacks and a forced fumble. Luketa was used more as a special teams player during his time in Arizona.
New England was able to make this move as Jesse Luketa was a free agent and did not have to wait for the legal tampering period on March 9th.
Patriots Lined Up for Big Free Agency
GettyThe Patriots appear to be in line for a big addition in the upcoming offseason
Adding Jesse Luketa is a small deal compared to what the New England Patriots are getting ready for. According to various reports, the Patriots are interested in wide receivers Alec Pierce and AJ Brown.
The need for a wide receiver comes after the team parted ways with Stefon Diggs, who still had two years remaining on his contract.
Pierce is coming off his best season with the Indianapolis Colts, recording 1,003 receiving yards and 6 touchdown receptions.
The wide receiver recently told Kay Adams that, “I’ve kind of earned the right to explore free agency, see what’s out there and make a decision that’s best for my career and for my family.”
Spotrac projects Pierce will receive a four-year, $81 million contract, with New England having the money after the recent roster move of parting ways with Diggs, set to have around $57.1 million.
Brown almost had an identical season to the Colts receiver, with the same receiving yards but one more touchdown.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive player has been vocal about his time with the team recently, expressing some frustration with his role.
The Eagles would like a minimum of a first-round and second-round pick for Brown. New England has the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which can be used in a haul for AJ Brown.
Pats Front Office on Offseason
GettyPatriots general manager Eliot Wolf
The New England Patriots had a heartbreak in the Super Bowl after a poor performance in the first three quarters of the game, resulting in 0 points.
The offensive line had allowed six sacks and the defense only had one sack in the game against the Seahawks.
Pats President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf acknowledged the team needs more additions to the squad compared to the 2025 squad.
“We filled a lot of needs last year, and we’re still building,” said Wolf at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, via the Patriots. “We have areas that maybe we feel good about the starters, but maybe the depth is not where we want it to be. We have areas where we maybe need to add a starter.”
“I think it’s going to be sort of a holistic approach, and working together with Coach Vrabel and his staff… We’re going to try to build this thing to improve the team as best we can.”
Patriots Add 3-Sack Linebacker Ahead of Free Agency