KYLE HIGHTOWER
FILE - New England Patriots Dont'a Hightower follows the action during NFL football's Super Bowl 51 against the Atlanta Falcons, in Houston, Feb. 5, 2017. Dont'a Hightower is making a quiet exit to a memorable career with the New England Patriots. The veteran linebacker, who did not play last season, announced his retirement Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in an essay posted in the Players' Tribune. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)
Dont'a Hightower retires from NFL after decade with Patriots

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 21, 2023 11:58 AM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Dont'a Hightower is making a quiet exit to a memorable

FILE -Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Patriots made their first big pickup of free agency Wednesday, March 15, 2023 adding free agent receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Smith-Schuster confirmed the move in a post on Twitter saying he was “Excited for my next chapter in New England!”(AP Photo/Peter Aiken, File)
Patriots add WR JuJu Smith-Schuster with 3-year deal

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 15, 2023 04:17 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots made their first big pickup of free agency

FILE - New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) coverts a fourth down against Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park. Meyers has been New England’s leading producer at the position for three consecutive seasons. But he is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career and could command a high price on the open market. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
AP source: Raiders, Jakobi Meyers agree on 3-year deal

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 14, 2023 01:07 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers have

FILE - New England Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty (32) returns a kickoff for a touchdown in front of New York Jets kicker Nick Folk (2) and defensive back Isaiah Trufant (35) in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. McCourty is retiring from the NFL, ending a 13-year run with the team that included winning three Super Bowl rings. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
Pats safety Devin McCourty retiring after 13 NFL seasons

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 10, 2023 04:54 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Devin McCourty has only known one home during his NFL career

FILE - New England Patriots' Matthew Slater (18) walks to the field for the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 1, 2020, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots announced Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, that the 37-year-old and two-time All-Pro has decided to return for his 16th season in 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Patriots captain Matt Slater returning for 16th NFL season

By Kyle Hightower Feb. 17, 2023 04:38 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — After the New England Patriots' season came to an end last

FILE - Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien speaks during the Crimson Tide's NCAA college football media day, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Bill O’Brien has agreed to return to the Patriots as their offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Patriots announce hiring of Bill O'Brien as new OC

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 26, 2023 11:08 AM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Bill O’Brien is back with the New England Patriots.

FILE - Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien speaks during the Crimson Tide's NCAA college football media day, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Bill O’Brien has agreed to return to the Patriots as their offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
AP source: Bill O'Brien agrees to return as Patriots OC

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 24, 2023 02:38 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Bill O’Brien has agreed to return to the Patriots as their

FILE - New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo faces reporters, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, at the NFL football team's stadium, in Foxborough, Mass. The Carolina Panthers have requested permission to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo bringing the number of known candidates for the team’s head coaching vacancy to 10, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, on condition of anonymity because the team does not make its coaching search public. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Patriots look to extend Mayo, seeking offensive coordinator

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 12, 2023 08:01 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots have started discussions for a long-term

A sign shows support for injured Buffalo Bills NFL football player Damar Hamlin outside Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Patriots navigating uncertainty as matchup with Bills looms

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 05, 2023 04:21 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Bill Belichick doesn’t usually watch Monday night games on

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patriots' uneven season leads to must-win game vs Bills

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 02, 2023 05:51 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — “Control what we can control” is a mantra often regurgitated

New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (11) beats Miami Dolphins cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (9) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Dugger INT return helps lift Pats over fading Dolphins 23-21

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 01, 2023 04:30 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — His team clutching a two-point lead, the ball on the 1-yard

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) winds up to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Bengals force late red zone turnover, hold off Pats 22-18

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 24, 2022 04:52 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Joe Burrow wanted to be happier after the Cincinnati Bengals

New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon warms up during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Burrow, AFC North-leading Bengals visit struggling Patriots

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 22, 2022 08:48 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — It was 2020, the NFL draft was looming, and the world was on

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a pass interception during the second half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Patriots' latest setback emblematic of core identity issue

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 19, 2022 07:02 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England's 30-24 loss Sunday to Las Vegas was the latest

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Defense steps up as Patriots get back in playoff position

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 13, 2022 02:36 PM EST
The Patriots’ 27-13 win over the Cardinals on Monday night will be remembered most

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick takes questions from reporters prior to an NFL football practice, Tuesday, Dec. 6 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Execution, not creativity the priority for Patriots offense

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 06, 2022 04:29 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — If the Patriots are going to fix their ongoing issues on

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) runs between Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7) and defensive end Boogie Basham (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Questions linger as Patriots' offense falls short again

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 02, 2022 03:10 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass, (AP) — Quarterback Mac Jones was adamant his expletive-laced tirade

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) hangs onto the ball on his touchdown catch against New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Josh Allen throws for 2 TDs, Bills beat Patriots 24-10

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 01, 2022 11:34 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills had done everything this season, except

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen scrambles during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Stakes high for Bills and Patriots entering latest matchup

By Kyle Hightower Nov. 30, 2022 02:33 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The most recent time the Bills faced the Patriots, they left

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Patriots still have red-zone issues despite Jones' big game

By Kyle Hightower Nov. 25, 2022 03:18 PM EST
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — For weeks, concerns about the Patriots have centered on the