Former New England Patriots receiver Chad Johnson opened up on his failed tenure with the team.

The Patriots acquired Johnson from the Cincinnati Bengals in the summer of 2011. The hope was that the veteran receiver would give Tom Brady and the offense another weapon.

However, Johnson struggled mightily in Foxboro, as he had the worst season of his NFL career, recording just 15 receptions for 276 yards and a touchdown, and was released after the season. It was also the final season of his NFL career.

Now, reflecting on his tenure with the Patriots, Johnson admitted he couldn’t be...

Being on an NFL practice squad means that the 31 other teams have an opportunity to sign you to a higher-paying position.

That was the case for the New England Patriots’ 2025 fifth-round draft pick, Bradyn Swinson, who told MassLive that despite several efforts from AFC rivals, New England was where he wanted to be.

“I’ll just tell you one — Buffalo was one of them,” Swinson said. “A lot of division rivals were reaching out, trying to get you off your division squad, but you know how that goes. But other than that, everything was pretty good. I’m squared...

The New England Patriots are tied with the Denver Broncos for first place in the AFC as the only two teams with nine wins this season.

Although the Patriots defense ranks top five in points per game, their red-zone defense is nearly as bad as it gets.

New England has allowed touchdowns on 72% of all red-zone opportunities, second-to-last in the entire NFL. The only team allowing more red-zone touchdowns is the 2-9 New York Giants.

For comparison, the Broncos sit atop the league in this same metric, allowing touchdowns on just 35.71% of drives inside the 20.

Phil Perry...

The New England Patriots promoting outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson and tight end C.J. Dippre from the practice squad recently was about more than just bolstering the depth on their active roster. Both rookie players had become a target for other teams trying to lure them away.

Among the clubs showing interest were the Buffalo Bills, as Swinson told MassLive’s Mark Daniels.

“I’ll just tell you one — Buffalo was one of them,” the 23-year-old said. “A lot of division rivals were reaching out, trying to get you off your [practice] squad, but you know how that goes. But other than...

Entering this week, there was a belief that the New England Patriots would be going up against a Cincinnati Bengals offense led by Joe Flacco. The veteran quarterback, who had joined the team in early October via trade from Cincinnati, had started the previous five games with regular QB1 Joe Burrow dealing with a turf toe injury.

However, Wednesday might have ushered in a change of plans. For the first time since getting hurt in Week 2, Burrow was able to participate fully in practice and taking starter reps in 11-on-11 drills. Flacco, meanwhile, was limited with a right shoulder...

Whoever the Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback is going to be this Sunday will have to operate without the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. Ja’Marr Chase has been suspended for a game after spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey in Week 11.

Chase being out naturally changes the outlook for both the Bengals and their opponent, the New England Patriots, this week. But while Cincinnati is undoubtably less talented with the four-time Pro Bowler absent, the Patriots are making sure not to underestimate the team’s remaining receivers.

“Plenty of talent,” said head coach Mike Vrabel about the Bengals wide receiver...

After previously announcing for the coach and contributor categories, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has unveiled another batch of nominees to advance to the next round of voting. The senior group was trimmed from previously 34 to nine players left.

Among them is former New England Patriots wide receiver Stanley Morgan.

A first-round draft pick by the Patriots in 1977, Morgan spent the first 13 years of his career in New England. Appearing in 180 regular season games and seven playoff contests for the team, he caught a combined 552 passes for 10,654 yards and 70 touchdowns. One of...

It seems there’s a better chance than initially expected.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was a full participant in practice Wednesday, according to the team’s injury report. Burrow, who had in-season surgery after he suffered a turf toe injury, has not been a full participant since the injury occurred Sept. 14.

The Bengals host the New England Patriots in a Week 12 matchup at Paycor Stadium on Sunday.

Burrow remains on injured reserve and is not yet on Cincinnati’s active roster. He has been designated to return but remains in the 21-day window.

Before the Bengals took the practice field...

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs and rapper Cardi B announced the birth of their child on Instagram.

It’s just the way people do things nowadays…

Cardi B and Diggs, who have been linked since October 2024, chose to go with a football-themed announcement, as the baby is swaddled in a blue Patriots-themed blanket printed with the name “Diggs” as well as a matching hat — with the social media post sharing that the child was born on Nov. 4.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft played host to the platinum-selling recording artist during his club’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons...

One of the biggest storylines heading into Week 12 is that Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will likely make his first career start against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Sanders took over at the start of the second half during Cleveland’s Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens after starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel left the field due to a concussion. Although Sanders didn’t exactly shine in his debut, completing just 47 yards and throwing one interception, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski remains optimistic, believing that Sanders will secure a win this Sunday.

“I think he gets a...

From Will Campbell, Jared Wilson and TreVeyon Henderson, to Craig Woodson and Andy Borregales, several rookie players have had a big impact on the New England Patriots’ season so far. The same cannot be said about Kyle Williams.

The 69th overall pick in this year’s draft and third player taken by the Patriots after Campbell and Henderson, Williams’ first NFL season so far has been quiet. Yes, he scored a big 72-yard touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10, but other than that has struggled to produce at a consistent level: of his 10 other targets, he caught...

The New England Patriots have been without Rhamondre Stevenson for the last three games, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that he is targeting a return to the field in Week 12.

Stevenson’s absence has opened the door for TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson has started the last three games, scoring five total touchdowns. He has 264 rushing yards and 66 receiving yards in those games, leading to questions on how the backfield will be split when Stevenson returns. Patriots insider Phil Perry still anticipates Stevenson being the “workhorse.”

“Whenever Stevenson (toe) is healthy and ready to go, my expectation would be that...