EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — NFL Draft week is here. Round 1 begins on Thursday, and for New England Nation, it'll be three days of suspense as the Patriots look to set themselves up for the future. Watch New England Nation: The Draft, where 12 Sports Director Taylor Begley and Andy Gresh analyze the Patriots' needs and who they could draft this week. This is the most important draft for the Patriots in more than three decades. After finishing at the bottom of the AFC East with a 4-13 record, the Patriots have the third overall pick. It's their highest draft pick since taking Drew Bled ..read more

FOXBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — The New England Patriots have next Thursday marked in their calendar as the organization has the highest draft pick since 1993. After a lackluster season, finishing at the bottom of the AFC East at 4-13, the Patriots got the third overall draft pick in the 2024 Draft. Thirty years ago, the Patriots had the first overall pick and drafted quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Patriots Director of Scouting Eliot Wolf spoke to the media today in anticipation of the draft. He said their final decisions will depend on multiple factors, but not drafting a quarterback and trading the numb ..read more

FOXBORO, Mass (WPRI) -- A person familiar with negotiations says the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to acquire New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones for a sixth-round pick in next month's NFL draft. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the trade cannot become official until the new league year begins Wednesday and after Jones passes a physical. The move brings Jones home — he was born and raised in Jacksonville — and provides competition behind starter Trevor Lawrence. Jones will vie with 30-year-old C.J. Beathard for the team's backup spot ..read more

FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) — Jerod Mayo was clear when he was hired as the New England Patriots new coach that he wanted to empower his new staff with the freedom to have a voice both on the sideline and in the meeting rooms. His new trio of coordinators said Wednesday that they are confident they will have the space they need to help the franchise begin its rebuilding process next season. Mayo announced the addition of 17 new assistants this week, who will provide support for himself and new coordinators Alex Van Pelt (offensive), DeMarcus Covington (defensive) and Jeremy Springer (special teams ..read more

FOXBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — Matthew Slater is ending his career the way he started it: as a New England Patriot. The longtime captain and special teams specialist released a statement Tuesday announcing his retirement from the NFL. "I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game," he wrote. "Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime." Slater was drafted by the Patriots in 2008 and spent his entire 16-year career in New England. He was named a team captain for 13 consecutive seasons and made the Pro Bowl 10 times ..read more

FOXBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — The Patriots announced 17 new additions to Jerod Mayo's coaching staff Monday afternoon. The team announced earlier this month that it would have all new coordinators - Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator, DeMarcus Covington promoted to defensive coordinator, and Jeremy Springer as special teams coordinator. Now, the rest of the staff is taking shape. Offense: Bob Bicknell - tight ends coach Taylor Embree - running backs coach Tyler Hughes - wide receivers coach Robert Kugler - assistant offensive line coach Ben McAdoo - senior offensive ass ..read more

FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) — Former New England Patriots linebacker and three-time Super Bowl champion Dont'a Hightower is joining new coach Jerod Mayo's staff as an assistant. Hightower and his agency confirmed Friday he would be joining the Patriots to coach his old position. Hightower began a decade-long run in New England when the Patriots selected him 25th overall in the 2012 draft. It included three Super Bowl rings (2014, 2016, 2018) and a pair of Pro Bowl selections (2016, 2019). He also was a second-team All-Pro in 2016. With his wife expecting their first child, he opted to ..read more

FOXBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — Former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison has once again come up short in the Hall of Fame voting process. The 51-year-old was not named a member of the Hall of Fame class of 2024 Thursday night at the NFL honors in Las Vegas. In his 11th year of eligibility, this was the first time Harrison was named a finalist after being a semifinalist for three straight years. RELATED: Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona wins 2023 Salute to Service Award Harrison spent the first nine years of his career in San Diego with the Chargers before joining the Patriots from 2003 to ..read more

FOXBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — A New England Patriot and active service member is being honored for his support of the military community. Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona has been named the recipient of the 2023 Salute to Service Award. He'll be recognized Thursday night at the NFL Honors, which airs at 9 p.m. on WPRI 12. Plus, the NFL and USAA will give $50,000 to Cardona's charity of choice. "Joe Cardona represents the epitome of the NFL’s Salute to Service Award," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a news release. "His commitment to honoring, empowering, and connecting with the military com ..read more

NEW YORK (AP) — San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones and New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona are the finalists for the NFL's 13th annual Salute to Service Award. The league and sponsor USAA made the announcement on Tuesday. The finalists were chosen from among 32 nominees — one from each team — who have shown support for the military community. The recipient will be recognized at the NFL Honors on Feb. 8 in Las Vegas, three days before the Super Bowl. USAA will contribute $25,000 in the recipient's honor to a military charity of the ..read more