Patriots newcomers driven by one goal for 2026 season

FOXBOROUGH, Mass — For two of the New England Patriots' free agent acquisitions, they came to Foxborough with one clear goal in mind: playoffs.

Despite having been on four different teams before signing with the Patriots, edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones has yet to experience the postseason. And for guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, he's spent the first five years of his career with the Jets, so there's been no playoffs for him either.

"I haven't experienced the playoffs since college football. So, I'm eager to be out there in later parts of January instead of just doing the first week in January, and then I go home and try to figure out a vacation to go to," Jones told reporters on Thursday. "I want to experience that, the atmosphere, and be a part of something greater."

Jones began his career with the Denver Broncos as a third-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, where he remained for four seasons. Ahead of the 2023 season, the edge rusher signed with the Seattle Seahawks, where he played for two seasons, but was released ahead of the 2025 season. Jones then signed with the Tennessee Titans, but was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in November last season.

It's been a lot of moving, but no playoff football just yet.

"The whole experience of it. I've heard so many different stories. I know a lot of different guys throughout the league. I feel like everybody's been in the playoffs except me," Jones said. "So, I've heard it all, and it's all been consistent of 'it's great. You want to be there. There's nothing like it.' I've been hearing those words for so many years, and I think it's time for me to to be able to explain that to somebody who hasn't been."