It’s been a good year in New England.

The Patriots hired a new head coach, developed a franchise quarterback, returned to the top of the AFC and positioned themselves to contend for years to come.

Before they turn the page to 2026, it’s time to look back on a year of sweeping change for the organization.

Here were the 10 best Patriots moments from 2025:

10. Rehiring Josh McDaniels, Jan. 21

After a year out of football, Josh McDaniels returned to Foxboro to help Mike Vrabel turn their old team around. So far, so great.

McDaniels’ plan to spring Drake Maye for a Year 2 leap has been realized, starting with the 23-year-old’s footwork, movement within the pocket and leadership. Maye’s numbers are outstanding against virtually every type of coverage and pressure. He’s balanced his instinctive playmaking outside of structure with a deepened commitment to making the right play within the system; a major development for a young quarterback.

McDaniels also re-worked his offense, allowing new assistants and former offensive coordinators Todd Downing and Thomas Brown to add their influences. Entering Sunday, that offense ranks fifth by the opponent-and-situation-adjusted metric DVOA and fourth by Expected Points Added (EPA).

9. A 10-game win streak, Dec. 1

Who would have ever thought the Patriots were capable of this?

The Pats’ winning streak reached 10 straight when they handled the Giants 33-15 earlier this month on Monday Night Football. The Patriots were only marginal home favorites that night and at risk of a letdown on national television, playing their fourth game in 22 days with starters getting injured left and right. Instead, Drake Maye smoked New York’s defense in the first half and chants of “M-V-P!” rang out across Gillette Stadium as the Pats headed into an overdue bye.

“I’m happy to be at the bye,” Vrabel said post-game. “Happy to be where we’re at.”

8. Splash signings, March 10

Attending Thursday’s press conference in Foxboro were, from left, head coach Mike Vrabel, Morgan Moses, Carlton Davis III, owner Robert Kraft, Milton Williams, Robert Spillane and VP of player personnel Eliot Wolf. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Milton Williams, come on down.

You too, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis and Morgan Moses.

The Patriots opened Day 1 of free agency with several big splashes, despite missing out on their initial top targets of Chris Godwin and Ronnie Stanley. Whiffing early led them to Williams a couple of hours into the free-agent market opening, and after a bidding war with Carolina they refused to lose, the Pats had agreed to ink their newest defensive tackle to a $104 million contract. All in all, the front office showed it was both willing to spend money and could land one of the few blue-chip talents remaining.

Williams instantly proved his value with two sacks in a September win (see: next listed moment), and the Patriots’ run defense has all but collapsed without him in recent weeks. This was a great day for an infusion of talent and leadership that has been throughout the season and throughout the organization.

7. Escape from Miami, Sept. 14

This game was about hope.

About a new coach winning in an old house of horrors, and his quarterback playing one of the best games of the year. The Pats toughed out a major victory in Miami, thanks to a game-sealing sack from Williams. It was much about getting their first win under Vrabel as it was showing things were different now in Foxboro, where the team’s belief has only grown since that steamy day in South Florida.

“We’re not front-runners,” Vrabel said. “And that’s a big thing in this league.”

6. Toppling Tampa Bay, Nov. 9

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Yes, they’re contenders.

That was the takeaway from the Patriots’ win over the Buccaneers, who were home favorites that day and have since fallen out of the playoff picture. Rookies Kyle Williams and TreVeyon Henderson both scored long touchdowns versus a Tampa defense that bothered Maye more than most had to date. Defensively, the Pats survived a late push by Baker Mayfield and Co. and knocked them out with a clutch play-call and stop late in the fourth quarter.

Another stress test passed, and their seventh win in a row.

5. NFL Draft Day 2, April 25

Had the Patriots added three future starters from their entire 2025 draft class, it would have been a rousing success.

To have done that potentially on Day 2 of the draft alone is borderline unbelievable.

Over his last six games, Henderson has flashed star potential. Third-round rookie receiver Kyle Williams has three touchdowns of 30 yards or longer following a slow starter. And rookie left guard Jared Wilson, who’s all of 22, has started every game he’s played this season at a position he barely played in college.

Throw in Will Campbell, the No. 4 overall pick, plus fourth-round safety Craig Woodson, another starter, plus kicker Andy Borregales, and this class could prove to be one of the Patriots’ best in recent franchise history.

4. Stefon Diggs’ signing, March 25

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs runs in front of Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during the first half of an NFL game Sunday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Finally, a No. 1 receiver in New England.

In the middle of his rehab from an ACL tear, Diggs inked what was technically a three-year, $69 million deal that is better described as an expensive, 1-year flier for the Patriots. In a matter of months, Diggs has out-played that contract. He has less than $2 million guaranteed left after this season, and his deal is a virtual lock for renegotiation this offseason based on a few factors.

For starters, there are his total receiving numbers, which lead all pass-catchers across the board. Then, there’s his winning play in big games (at Buffalo, at Tampa Bay and at Baltimore) and how he’s become an extension of Vrabel’s culture inside the locker room. Diggs broke the team down inside the locker room last Sunday after they clinched a playoff berth, an honor that doesn’t go to just any player or any leader.

But the 32-year-old receiver had earned it over months, something that anyone with or close to the team can see.

3. Beating Buffalo, Oct. 5

The spark that lit the blaze that’s become this season. Until a few days ago, this was the best win of the season.

Because what more could you want from a Week 5 game in primetime?

“The world (saw) what we’re capable of tonight,” Williams said after the 23-20 win. “We got to show that s— every week now.”

Maye led a game-winning two-minute drill on the road as an 8-point underdog. Stefon Diggs broke out for what was almost a career game. The Pats defense stonewalled what’s proven to be the NFL’s best run game. Josh Allen threw a second-half interception and was contained most of the night.

Beating Buffalo was the first sign the Patriots gave us that they might be on the same level as the five-time reigning AFC East champions. Even if they weren’t, this win was reason enough to believe in them again; something that can’t be understated for a franchise coming off consecutive 4-13 seasons with a young quarterback and new head coach.

“It’s a great gauge for us,” Maye said before the game, “(to) see what we’ve got.”

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2. Mike Vrabel’s hiring, Jan. 12

The moment Vrabel put pen to paper on his contract, the Patriots upgraded.

Their vision cleared. Their direction straightened out. Everything about their football operations, from analytics staffers to second-string special teamers, received a boost. Vrabel’s hiring set the table for everything that followed, and his imprint has been clear from Day 1.

“In the interview process, Mike showed us that he had a very deep understanding of our current team, and most importantly, he had a clear and focused strategy of how to get us back to the championship way that is not only so important to all of us, but also something that I think our fan base really deserves and expects,” Kraft said in January.

The Patriots once again boast one of the best head coaches in football, and the evidence couldn’t be more clear. Starting with …

1. A postseason return, Dec. 21

Maye’s first fourth-quarter comeback.

Another road win in primetime.

And a playoff berth to boot.

The Patriots punched their first playoff ticket in four years thanks to the best quarter of Maye’s career. He led two touchdown drives, including the game-winner, while hitting completions short and long, including one on fourth down. If there was ever a moment that proved the Patriots are back, truly back to a modern version of their old ways, this night was it.

Quote of the Week

“I don’t, unless we get a Christmas miracle. Tiny Tim starts walking or something.’ — Mike Vrabel mid-week on if he thought Robert Spillane might suit up against the Jets