Patriots links 2/26/26: Maye amps up leadership; Combine checklist

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 13: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots huddles with teammates prior to his first NFL start against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TEAM TALK

• Mike Dussaultrecaps Mike Vrabel as he gets the 2026 offseason rolling at the NFL Scouting Combine.
• Transcript:Mike Vrabel (Plus, 20 min. video)
• Patriots Draft Countdown:Day 2 of the Combine, Mike Dussault and Evan Lazar share takeaways on the latest Combine news; Plus, exclusive interview with Mike Vrabel and Mike Reiss; More. (35 min. video)
• Patriots Catch-22:Vrabel/Wolf press analysis, Combine news, workout previews. (2 hours)
• Throwback Photos: Patriots at the NFL Scouting Combine.

LOCAL LINKS

• Keagan Stiefel profiles 10 prospects Patriots should watch for at the Combine.
• Conor Ryan thumbnails 15 prospects Patriots fans should know entering the 2026 NFL Combine.
• Ethan Hurwitz posts the Patriots Combine checklist: What they're looking for in Indianapolis. 1. Defensive Line/Linebackers work out for first time.
• Doug Kyed gives us 8 takeaways from Mike Vrabel at the Combine: Potential A.J. Brown trade, sneaky draft need; More.
• Keagan Stiefel says Mike Vrabel has been primarily focusing on meeting with EDGE players so far in Indy.
• Alex Barth considers what kind of edge rushers the Patriots are looking for.
• Mark Daniels reports Mike Vrabel sets new goal for Drake Maye in 2026. Vrabel said he wants to see Maye continue to progress as a leader, and to correct his teammates as opposed to his coaches.
• Mike D'Abate hears from Mike Vrabel on the start date for offseason workouts.
• Mark Daniels notes thePatriotsdon't have a lot of internal free agents, but they do have a lot of interest in retaining those players.
• Andrew Callahan talks about the looming decisions on Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore.
• Aaliyan Mohammed relays WR Demario Douglas talking with the Boston Globe about going into the final year of his rookie deal,and that he wants to stayin New England. I haven't had any talks about an extension, but I would love to stay,"
• Mark Daniels profiles 10 free agents connected to Mike Vrabel and the Patriots coaching staff.
• Mark Daniels mentions Mike Vrabel intimates the Pats are unlikely to find No. 1 WR in free agency.
• Karen Guregian looks at whether a Mike Vrabel-A.J. Brown reunion is realistic for the Patriots.
• Daniel Fisher explains why he thinks the Pats should avoid signing free agent TE David Njoku.
• Khari Thompson tells us what Raiders GM John Spytek said about the Maxx Crosby trade rumors.
• Evan Cormier relays Eliot Wolf explaining how the team plans to build their big board ahead of the draft.
• Karen Guregian notes Mike Vrabel says Terrell Williams new title with the Patriots remains TBD.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Patriots face a decision about Stefon Diggs' future with the team. Diggs has a $6M roster bonus that becomes guaranteed on March 13. He has a $20.6M base salary and is scheduled to count $26.5M against the cap.'
• Albert Breer (SI) NFL Combine Notes: Browns, Colts facing crucial QB decisions; Plus, the trade market for Raiders star Maxx Crosby is already heating up.
• Mel Kiper Jr., et al (ESPN) 2026 NFL combine: Draft experts preview the combine workouts: Predictions, potential risers and speedsters to watch.
• Nate Tice (Yahoo! Sports) NFL scouting combine's key players to watch: A pair of WRs, OTs and CBs, and will any RBs stand out?
• Mike Renner (CBS Sports) Combine bold predictions: Blazing speed, a record jump and more hot takes.
• Eric Edholm, et al. (NFL.com) What we learned during Wednesday's activities in Indianapolis.
• Kalyin Kahler (ESPN) Payton, Vrabel express concern over replay errors in early games.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Mike Vrabel: NFL needs to evaluate staffing of replay officials for more consistency.
• Sarah Barshop (ESPN) 2026 draft prospects get important advice from NFL rookies.
• Matt Okada (NFL.com) NFL Combine: Best and average 40-yard dash times by position.
• Garrett Podell (CBS Sports) NFL mock draft: How Round 1 looks before top prospects take the field at the combine. Pats pick Utah OT Caleb Lomu at 31.
• Jack Baer (Yahoo! Sports) NBC likely moving on from Tony Dungy in NFL broadcast shakeup, per report.