Elite Eight

There are a handful of guys capable of stepping into what we’re calling the ‘charisma void’ left by the departure of Stefon Diggs. Here are our choices.

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As of last week, “We All We Got, We All We Need” was still plastered on the front door of the Patriots’ Pro Shop in Foxborough, a final reminder of Stefon Diggs’ one-and-done legacy in New England.

Diggs departed after a single season, but made an indelible mark on the roster. While he wasn’t necessarily classified as a leader, he had a magnetism and attitude that helped shape him into a charismatic presence, especially in a younger locker room. He crafted the memorable slogan that the 2025 Patriots rode all the way to Super Bowl LX. His history made him a compelling antihero for opponents (especially in Buffalo, for obvious reasons). He moved the needle for TV networks, as he was the guy who cameras followed before, during, and after the game. He was the guy who got everyone cranked up prior to kickoff, and was one of the go-to guys in the locker room afterward. It all leads us to one question this week:

With Diggs gone, who’s going to be the hype man?

I took this from the press box before the New Orleans game. Diggs is smack in the middle of the action.

While it’s easy to see an almost one-for-one switch when it comes to Diggs and Romeo Doubs from a production standpoint, Doubs is a quiet guy. Like Stephon Gilmore-sort of quiet. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it means there’s going to be a bit of a void when it comes to that outsized personality in the locker room. Maybe someone like A.J. Brown moves into the space?

But if Brown stays in Philly, whoever moves into the role is going to have to check a few boxes:

• One, it will need to be a veteran. If you can bring a handful of years success in the league, it’ll immediately garner respect from teammates. No one is saying that a young guy can’t eventually grow into a leader, but more often than not, the role has been filled by someone who has been in the NFL for a sizable stretch.

• Two, their style needs to be genuine. If a quiet guy all of a sudden starts turning over tables in the training room and raging at teammates, that’s not genuine. Their leadership style and approach needs to be consistent. Coaches and teammates can sniff out phony leadership a mile away.

• And three, it helps (but is not absolutely necessary) to have respect from players on both sides of the ball. For the most part, the offensive guys stick with the offensive guys, and the defensive guys stick with the defense. The true leaders are the ones who can adroitly cross over to appeal to all corners of the locker room.

With all that in mind, here are eight guys currently on the roster who have a chance to move into a greater leadership role in 2026:

• Mack Hollins: The 32-year-old Hollins is a guy who checks most all of the boxes: He’s a veteran, going into his ninth season in the league. He’s emerged as a vocal presence in the locker room, which would make that sort of thing relatively organic. And he’s got the sort of gonzo energy (remember “The Warriors”?) that will allow him to move seamlessly into more of a forward-facing role. Guys like him, he’s a good teammate, and he has the seal of approval of the coaching staff. Bottom line? He’s the leader in the clubhouse. (Honestly, surprised they didn’t start printing “Warriors” hoodies with the team logo during the playoffs.)

• Morgan Moses: The veteran did a lot of leading last year, at least when you talk about the offensive line, as well as a lot of the younger guys on that side of the football. He’s not necessarily as demonstrative as Diggs (or Hollins), but he was a visible presence when it came to pregame speeches during the 2025 season. If the 35-year-old does return, he’s a safe bet to do more of the same in 2026.

• Christian Barmore: One of the things that really stood out for me over the course of the season was the fact that while Diggs was routinely the centerpiece of those pregame hype session, Barmore did a lot of that himself with the guys on defense. The defensive tackle won’t have the same role that Diggs might have occupied, but as long as he’s here in 2026, he’s on the short list of guys who will be rallying teammates throughout the season.

• Drake Maye: Maye figures to become more assertive heading into 2026, but Diggs’ departure could very well end up accelerating that process. The quarterback isn’t exactly the type to lead a pre-game huddle, but he could end up being a lot like Tom Brady; according to his old teammate Chris Hogan, Brady knew when to pick and choose his moments.

“It’s not like Brady was ever in the locker room and always giving the pump-up speeches. He did it when it was necessary, right? He was outspoken on the field and in the practice, like when watching film and at practice, his expectations were just above and beyond.

“I think that that’s probably something that Drake can learn from, and try to model a little bit after is taking on [more] and making sure that the expectations for this offense are high, right? Because we all know that Josh [McDaniels] expectations are going to be nothing but the best, and he’s going to expect that. So that also that’s got to be voiced, you know, and regurgitated through his players as well.”

Maye will have his chance this season.

• Robert Spillane: The linebacker isn’t necessarily the type to get his teammates all jacked up — he leads more by example — but this is a guy who could very well end up becoming a key part of the leadership group in 2026. He’s a veteran starter, so he’s earned the respect of the locker room. And he’s a certified Vrabel guy. Not sure he’s the type to come up with a snappy slogan, but now that Jahlani Tavai and Jack Gibbens are elsewhere, he’s going to be one of a few holdovers in that linebacker room. Expect him to act accordingly.

• Marcus Jones: Jones is the likeliest of those players who have endured the lean years to really take his work as a leader to the next level in 2026. He’s played all three phases, lived through the bad times, and flourished under Vrabel, who named him a captain last year. (Certifying his status as a Vrabel guy.) And all you need to know about the level of respect he’s garnered in the locker room is to ask his teammates for their thoughts on him getting denied a trip to the Pro Bowl. He’s not going to show up on game day in bare feet and clinking bottles together, but he’s a sneaky important guy on this list.

• Milton Williams: Williams is maybe the ultimate lead-by-example guy on the roster. He’s one of the best in the league at what he does, and has the resume to back up any sort of bold proclamation. There are going to be no big speeches from Big Milt. He may be lacking in bombast; he’s not going to be seen ranting and raving on the sidelines. With him, it’s going to be all about the work.

• Kevin Byard: There might be some skepticism about including a new guy on this list, but Byard is a certified Vrabel guy, and one of the most well-respected guys in the league. He doesn’t strike me as the type who is going to be leading fiery pregame speeches, but if there’s a new guy who might be capable of filling the void left by Diggs, it’s Byard, who will turn 33 in August. He’d be wise to follow the leadership playbook put forward by Rodney Harrison; when he arrived in the spring of 2003, he walked the fine line between being deferential to the leadership that was already in place while doing his part to carve out his own niche. Another important guy on this list.

Cool stuff I did this week.

• Hogan and I recorded a really good podcast where we broke down where Doubs fits best in a Josh McDaniels’ offense, as well as the rest of the free-agent news. (Download the full episode here.) If you want to check us out in full-on video form, here’s what it looked and sounded like on YouTube.

• I asked Hogan for his thoughts on the decision to give Doubs No. 87. (Even though they’ve given it to other guys before him.)

• A version of this question came up in this week’s mailbag: Is Zak Kuhr head coaching material? I think he needs (at least) a couple more good years at the helm of the New England defense, and the group needs to continue to trend in the right direction. But 2025 represented a really good start. Also got questions on draft priorities, as well as a closer look at a few prospects.

• Speaking of Kuhr, the Patriots made it official on Monday, naming him the new defensive coordinator. They also announced a few other moves. (In the same notebook, there’s also news on Craig Woodson’s big payday, as well as a couple of free-agent additions.)

Looking ahead.

• Not going to lie; there’s not a lot on the agenda for the next week-plus. The next time we’re scheduled to hear from the Patriots’ braintrust is Tuesday, March 31, when Vrabel will speak at the AFC Coaches’ Breakfast at the league meetings. Eliot Wolf will give a pre-draft press conference on Monday, April 13 in Foxborough. And phase one of the voluntary offseason workouts begin on Monday, April 20.

One last thing.

• Headed to the Cape this weekend for an annual get-together with friends, one we’ve been doing for the last 30 years. Friends, family, and football make me a blessed man.

Until next time.