The New England Patriots enter the 2026 offseason with their special teams unit in a strong position. Under special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer, the group has improved over the past two seasons, and the team is not expected to make major changes during the upcoming NFL Draft.
Instead, the Patriots may only add depth or competition at a few positions while keeping most of their current specialists in place.
Special Teams Progress Under Jeremy Springer
Jeremy Springer joined the Patriots as special teams coordinator in 2024 and has played a key role in improving the unit. Since then, the team’s performance in the third phase of the game has shown steady progress.
Punt returns by Marcus Jones and kick returns by Antonio Gibson have been important highlights for New England. Their performances helped the Patriots gain valuable field position during the season.
The kicking unit also produced strong results, giving the coaching staff confidence in the players currently on the roster.
Key Special Teams Players on the Roster
Several specialists played important roles for the Patriots during the 2025 season. Their performances have helped stabilize the special teams unit going into the new season.
| Player | Key Update |
|---|---|
| Andy Borregales | Finished the 2025 season with 31 field goals and 60 extra points. He also kicked a 59-yard field goal in Week 18 against Miami, the longest kick by a Patriots player at Gillette Stadium. |
| Bryce Baringer | Entering his fourth season with New England. After heavy usage in previous years, he struggled during the 2025 season and now enters a contract year. |
| Julian Ashby | Had a strong rookie season at long snapper but will face competition after the team signed Niko Lalos. |
| Marcus Jones / Antonio Gibson | Key return specialists who helped improve the Patriots’ punt and kick return units. |
Andy Borregales Showing Promise as Kicker
Rookie kicker Andy Borregales had a slow start to his first NFL season, missing kicks against the Las Vegas Raiders and Miami Dolphins. However, he improved as the season progressed.
By the end of the 2025 season, Borregales had made 31 field goals and 60 extra points. His 59-yard field goal in Week 18 against the Dolphins set a new Gillette Stadium record for the Patriots.
Because of that performance, he is widely seen as the team’s long-term option at kicker.
Uncertainty Around the Punter Position
Bryce Baringer is preparing for his fourth season with the Patriots. Although he handled a heavy workload in previous years, his performance dipped during the 2025 season.
Baringer is now entering the final year of his contract, which means his future with the team could depend on how he performs this season. The Patriots may bring in competition at punter during training camp.
Long Snapper Competition Expected
Julian Ashby impressed during his first NFL season as the Patriots’ long snapper. However, the team recently signed free agent Niko Lalos, who previously played as a defensive end and is now transitioning to long snapping.
Ashby remains the favorite for the job, but the addition of Lalos creates competition during training camp.
Draft Prospects the Patriots May Watch
Although the Patriots are unlikely to draft specialists in consecutive years, the team will still monitor several prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kicker Prospects
| Player | College | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| Trey Smack | Florida | Made 24 field goals of 40+ yards in college. |
| Dominic Zvada | Michigan | One of the top kicking prospects in the draft. |
| Drew Stevens | Iowa | Known for strong accuracy and reliability. |
Punter Prospects
| Player | College | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| Brett Thorson | Georgia | Ray Guy Award winner with a powerful leg. |
| Jack Stonehouse | Syracuse | Has previous recruiting connection with Jeremy Springer. |
Thorson could be selected as early as the fourth or fifth round because of his strong college performance.
Long Snapper Prospects
| Player | College |
|---|---|
| Harrin Grimes | BYU |
| Beau Gardner | Georgia |
| Tyler Duzansky | Penn State |
Boston College long snapper Ben Mann was also invited to a Patriots local pro day, showing that the team is still evaluating options.
As the Patriots move toward training camp, the special teams unit appears mostly settled.
Andy Borregales is expected to remain the team’s primary kicker. The punter position could see competition, especially if the team adds a player through the draft. Meanwhile, the battle between Julian Ashby and Niko Lalos will be worth watching at long snapper.
Overall, New England’s special teams group looks stable heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Instead of major changes, the team will likely focus on depth and internal competition during the offseason.
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