2016 New England Patriots

The  New England Patriots season will be the franchise's 47th season in the National Football league, the 57th overall and the 17th under head coach Bill Belichick.

Roster changes
Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker and 2008 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jerod Mayo announced his retirement in February. Linebacker Dane Fletcher also retired. In addition, the Patriots traded Pro Bowl defensive end Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for guard Jonathan Cooper and a 2016 second-round draft pick.

Free agency

 * Notable departures: Tavon Wilson, Akiem Hicks, Sealver Siliga


 * Notable additions: Ramon Humber, Frank Kearse, Chris Hogan, Chris Long, Donald Brown, Shea McClellin, Nate Washington, E. J. Biggers

Draft

 * Notes
 * The Patriots will forfeit their first-round selection as part of the punishment for the team's Deflategate scandal. The team will also forfeit a 2017 fourth-round selection.
 * The Patriots traded defensive end Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for guard Jonathan Cooper and Arizona's second-round selection (No. 61 overall).
 * The Patriots traded their fourth-round selection (No. 127 overall) to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round selection (No. 204 overall) and tight end Martellus Bennett.
 * The Patriots traded their fifth-round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for wide receiver Keshawn Martin and the Texans' 2016 sixth-round selection.
 * The Patriots traded one of their two sixth-round selections to the Chicago Bears in exchange for linebacker Jon Bostic.
 * The Patriots acquired an additional seventh-round selection in a trade that sent quarterback Ryan Mallett to the Houston Texans.

Preseason
The Patriots' preseason opponents and schedule will be announced in the spring.

2016 opponents
Listed below are the Patriots' opponents for. Exact dates and times will be announced in the spring. <!--