The schedule release is one of the most anticipated dates on the NFL offseason calendar. Just don’t tell the New England Patriots’ players.

Leading up to the event on Thursday night, three of them took to the podium at Gillette Stadium to meet with the media. And they all sang the same tune: it doesn’t really bother them either way.

“Seventeen games is 17 games. We’re going to play football regardless,” said starting center Jared Wilson.

For Wilson, who joined the Patriots as a third-round draft choice in 2025, this year’s schedule release is his second. Tight end Julian Hill...

The NFL officially announced the entirety of the 2026 season schedule Thursday night and there are plenty of upcoming storylines to note.

For the New England Patriots, here are six things to keep an eye on on this year’s schedule.

Super Bowl rematch

After facing off in the final game of the 2025–26 season, the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are set to meet again in the first game of the 2026–27 campaign. Following Seattle’s 29–13 victory in Super Bowl LX, the Patriots will have an immediate opportunity to showcase their offseason upgrades — and seek revenge — as the...

The dates and times are now in ink for the 2026 New England Patriots.

The reigning AFC champions are scheduled to open the regular season at Lumen Field against the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, Sept. 9, the NFL announced. Seven months removed from being the last teams left, the 8:20 p.m. ET Super Bowl LX rematch will mark the first kickoff around the league.

The home opener at Gillette Stadium will follow versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 20, before head coach Mike Vrabel, quarterback Drake Maye & Co. visit the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Sept....

The New England Patriots will start their 2026 regular season on the road, but they will be back in Foxborough in Week 2. Their home opener will be a matchup between two familiar foes: the Patriots will host the Pittsburgh Steelers, the ninth time in the last 10 seasons the two most successful NFL franchises crossed paths.

Kickoff at Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 20. Podcaster Kirk Minihane was first to report the matchup.

The Patriots will enter their Week 2 game off a mini-bye. With their Week 1 game being the NFL season...

Back in 2020, as a top high school prospect in North Carolina, Jared Wilson committed to the University of North Carolina to snap the ball for quarterback Drake Maye.

That never unfolded, as Wilson decommitted five months later before flipping to the University of Georgia.

Fast forward to 2026 in Foxboro, and Wilson is preparing to play center for Maye as member of the New England Patriots.

“Oh, man, it’s cool. It’s a full circle moment,” Wilson said. “I remember us talking about it, it was a couple of weeks ago. I was just like, ‘Dang. We were committed to...

The New England Patriots already know their 2026 schedule, but the general public will have to wait until Thursday night to get official word of it. However, the first few games have either already started leaking or been officially announced by the club.

In total, according to the Pats Pulpit schedule release tracker, the Patriots are entering Thursday with four of 17 games revealed:

• Week 1: at Seahawks (Wed, Sept. 9, 8:20 p.m. ET)
• Week 7: at Bears (Thu, Oct. 22, 8:15 p.m. ET)
• Week 10: at Lions (Sun, Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. ET, Munich)
• **Week...

The New England Patriots had a front row seat to the Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl in February. Now, they will have a front row seat to seeing them unveil their championship banner.

The NFL’s 2026 season opener will feature a Super Bowl LX rematch between the two teams.

The game will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Seattle’s Lumen Field with the kickoff set for 8:20 p.m. ET. League insider Jordan Schultz was first to report the matchup.

The season opener will take place roughly seven months removed from the Patriots and Seahawks capping off the 2025...

Even though they had a deep group of safeties under contract at the time, the New England Patriots chose to invest a fourth-round draft pick in the position last spring. The decision paid off: Craig Woodson eventually earned a starting role and developed into a key member of the team’s revamped defense.

Needless to say, he set the bar quite high in his first season. Will he clear it in Year 2, though? Let’s take a closer look.

Hard facts

Name: Craig Woodson

Position: Safety

Jersey number: 4

Opening day age: 25 (2/20/2001)

Measurements: 6’0 1/8”, 200 lbs, 75...

New England Patriots seventh-round draft pick Quintayvious Hutchins has been charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and battery on a family/household member.

According to court documents, Hutchins was arraigned Wednesday morning in Newton District Court. The 23-year old pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance.

The Patriots released the following statement:

“We are aware of the report involving Quintayvious Hutchins. We take these matters very seriously and are in the process of gathering additional information. We will not have further comment at this time.”

WBZ first reported the charge stemming from an alleged incident that occurred Tuesday in Newton....

TEAM TALK

• Alexandra Francisco reports the Patriots content team has been shortlisted for 3 Hashtag Sports Awards.
• Press Conferences: Kevin Byard III – Romeo Doubs.
• Patriots Unfiltered interview: Caleb Lomu (14 min. video)
• Patriots Unfiltered: Rookie minicamp recap, team/roster updates, schedule release week. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Ethan Hurwitz spotlights undrafted rookie WR Kyle Dixon, who is quickly proving he belongs.
• Doug Kyed reports that the new Patriots veterans would welcome AJ Brown in trade with Eagles.
• Khari Thompson hears from Kevin Byard on what AJ Brown could bring to the Patriots if...

For the third time in the last four years, the New England Patriots will travel abroad this season. As was announced by the NFL on Wednesday, they will participate in the 2026 International Series.

In November, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel will take on the Detroit Lions at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. It will be the club’s second trip to Germany, and sixth international regular season game overall. In total, the Patriots are entering that contest with a 3-2 record, even though they are coming off two straight international defeats.

With that said, let’s take a closer...

The New England Patriots did not play an international game during Mike Vrabel’s debut season as head coach in 2025, but they are set to perform their act outside of the United States later this year. As was announced on Wednesday morning, Vrabel and company will take on the Detroit Lions in Germany in mid-November.

The Week 10 contest, which is scheduled for a 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, Nov. 15, in Munich, is the organization’s sixth international contest so far. The Patriots are 3-2 in the previous five games.

Here is what the announcement means for the team...