KYLE HIGHTOWER
FILE - Then-Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster talks to the media before an NFL football Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Smith-Schuster's first few weeks with the New England Patriots have made him feel as if he’s back in college. Every day has been a new learning experience. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
New Patriots receiver Smith-Schuster already feeling at home

By Kyle Hightower May. 02, 2023 04:37 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — JuJu Smith-Schuster's first few weeks with the New England

Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White arrives on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Patriots take edge rusher White, versatile Mapu in NFL draft

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 28, 2023 08:43 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Keion White was one of 17 NFL draft prospects who made the

Oregon defensive back Christian Gonzalez stands on stage after being chosen by the New England Patriots with the 17th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Patriots trade back, select CB Christian Gonzalez at No. 17

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 27, 2023 10:30 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots waited patiently with their top

FILE - NFL football draft coverage plays in the sportsbook at Circa, Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. The Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA ushered in a new era of legalized sports betting in the U.S., allowing states to establish their own sports wagering laws. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File)
A look at sports gambling rules among Big 4 pro leagues

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 26, 2023 06:10 AM EDT
The Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA ushered in a new era of legalized

LSU head coach Brian Kelly talks with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during LSU football Pro Day on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Patriots enter NFL draft holding 11 picks to address needs

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 20, 2023 03:23 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Most of the New England Patriots’ shortcomings last season

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