By: Luke DeSalvatore
Looking Back at 2025
In 2025, the AFC East standings surprised many. Prior to the season, the Bills were fully expected to walk away as the winners with not much competition. Unexpectedly, the Patriots broke out into what fans had been missing since Tom Brady and took the division by storm. Drake Maye and company finished with 14 wins, topping Buffalo, and eventually fell to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. As for the Bills, Josh Allen tallied 14 turnovers on the year, paving the way for a second round exit to end their season. In the other half of the division, things did not pan out too well. After yet another disappointing year, Tua Tagovailoa threw a career high 15 interceptions for the Miami Dolphins which led to a third place finish. To no one’s surprise, the New York Jets finished last in the division while registering zero interceptions for the whole season. To make matters worse, they had three starting QB’s throughout the season, which matches how many games they came out victorious. This offseason, each of these teams made significant changes to their squads as they set their eyes on 2026.
New England Patriots
The Challenge of Staying on Top
After losing in the Super Bowl, everyone has started to question if the Patriots can pull off what seemed like an improbable run once again in 2026. The answer to that question belongs to the front office and they responded in a huge way by acquiring star wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. In addition, they signed Romeo Doubs to a 4 year contract solidifying him as the wide receiver of the offense. Losing Stefon Diggs may sting, but the caliber of players they replaced him with must restore a lot of hope for New England fans. Furthermore, your young star being sacked six times in the big game should alert the front office in a big way and for the Patriots, it did. Not only did they sign a new guard in Alijah Vera-Tucker to a three year, 42 million dollar deal, but also used the 28th pick of this year's draft on Caleb Lomu: a young offensive tackle from Utah. As for the defensive side of the ball, New England reloaded with two veterans in free agency. They signed both safety Kevin Byard and edge rusher Dre’mont Jones to anchor down the already electric Patriots defense.
Strengths & Weaknesses
If this team exceeds expectations this season and goes on another deep run, it will be because of the passing connection between Drake Maye and A.J. Brown. Not only is A.J. thrilled to be in New England, but he should start to love the skill of his new QB. However, the glaring hole in the roster in my eyes is the lack of a superstar in the pass rush. The Patriots have a well rounded group, but I look at the defensive line and fail to see that one guy that has coaches changing a game plan because of.
Prediction
Record: 13-4
Division Finish: 1st
Team X Factor: Cornerback Help Beyond Christian Gonzalez
Buffalo Bills
No Longer the Team to Beat
Last year, the Bills had one huge positional need: wide receiver. After hiring offensive-minded Joe Brady as their new head coach, the front office decided to trade for wide receiver D.J. Moore, finally giving their superstar quarterback a number one option. To help with the below average pass rush of 2025, Buffalo drafted edge rusher T.J. Parker from Clemson with their second round pick after shipping the 31st pick to the Tennessee Titans. After ranking 21st in sacks last year, T.J. should help the attack in 2026 along with new veteran signee Bradley Chubb.
Strengths & Weaknesses
This year should not be too much different for the Buffalo Bills in terms of their true strength. The offense centered around Josh Allen should once again be the driving force of this team. As for a downside, problems could occur with hiring a new defensive coordinator in Jim Leonhard due to his scheme differing from what Sean McDermott molded the defense around for years. Adjustments will have to be made on the fly, but we will see how they fit into them as a collective group.
Prediction
Record:12-5
Division Finish: 2nd
Team X Factor: Josh Allen’s Decision Making
New York Jets
Searching for Stability
As we start discussing the lower half of this division, it displays itself as bi-polar opposites. In all honesty, there's a vision that I can see for this team. Besides making 35 year old Geno Smith their QB, the group as a whole has young potential. With the second pick in this year's draft, New York drafted pass rusher David Bailey coming off a stellar season with Texas Tech and their dominant defense. On the other side of the ball, the hopeful tight end of the future Kenyon Sadiq was drafted with pick sixteen after his breakout season with the Oregon Ducks. Jets GM Darren Mougey was not done yet. At the back end of the first round, he traded up to pick the hoosiers former number one receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Although things may seem to be trending up for the Jets, I still believe the QB room as a whole could hold them back tremendously this season. Another solid offseason in 2027 and more development from their young talent could turn things around for this struggling franchise.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Their greatest strength for the upcoming year should be their young core in general. This includes running back Breece Hall, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and the new additions previously mentioned. Where they fall is the dynamic of QB Geno Smith and their historically weak offensive line. The offensive line holding their own this season for the Jets alone would increase the win total significantly.
Prediction
Record: 3-14
Division Finish: 3rd
Team X Factor: Protecting Geno Smith
Miami Dolphins
The Malik Willis Experiment
This past offseason, the Miami Dolphins hit the full reset button. It all started with the firing of head coach Mike McDaniel and led to a domino effect of moves made. Longtime quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was released after many years of injury struggle, veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill also got released, and Jaylen Waddle was traded to the Denver Broncos for a package of draft picks. After this implosion, it was clear a new era was starting in Miami. Young quarterback Malik Willis was signed to become the number one guy after a short breakout with the Packers to fill in for Jordan Love. Jeff Hafley, who was also a part of Green Bay as the defensive coordinator. On paper, the roster looks extremely weak and lacks true proven talent but the vision for the Dolphins this year should be to create an identity through the speed of Malik Willis and De’Von Achane.
Strengths & Weaknesses
In all honesty, this team has one true strength and its star running back De’Von Achane who proved he is among the best of the best in the league last year. Besides that, there is not much to get excited about when it comes to this group. Their wide receiver room is led by Malik Washington who had 317 receiving yards last year, which alone puts them at the very bottom of the league in that aspect. The games the Miami Dolphins win this year should be the result of Achane’s impressive performances and the ability to create an identity for themselves.
Prediction
Record: 2-15
Division Finish: 4th
Team X Factor: Malik Willis’ Development
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