New England Patriots’ 2026 schedule has ESPN ringing alarm bells

The NFL schedule release has sparked excitement for the 2026 season, delivering a loaded slate of matchups. Teams, media members, and fans have already started analyzing schedules and mapping out expectations for the year ahead.

As always, the release has also fueled a wave of predictions. Fans across social media have shared their outlooks for their favorite teams, while NFL analysts have started making their own projections — especially when it comes to the New England Patriots.

ESPN’s Ryan Clark made a bold prediction about the defending AFC champions. Clark said expectations have changed for the Patriots and predicted they will miss the playoffs in 2026.

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The Patriots surprised much of the NFL last season. A new coaching staff made an immediate impact and helped guide the franchise to a Super Bowl run.

Still, Clark’s point carries some weight. The Patriots likely won’t catch the league off guard again in 2026. Their offseason also has featured unwanted drama surrounding head coach Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel, of course, has found himself at the center of controversy involving NFL reporter Dianna Russini. While distractions like that should not affect a team in theory, outside noise often finds its way into the locker room.

To their credit, the Patriots have put together a strong offseason. They added playmakers at the skill positions, strengthened the offensive line, and improved their defensive depth.

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Everything points toward the Patriots remaining competitive in 2026. At the same time, the NFL is a league defined by constant change. If anything, expectations and pressure will be even higher after last season’s success.