Bill Belichick won’t be honored with a bust in the Hall of Fame this year, but his influence will definitely be felt during the 2026 Super Bowl.
This season, even as he moved on from several notable players, like Kendrick Bourne and Jabrill Peppers, and traded away Kyle Dugger and Keon White, Belichick played a significant role in assembling 16 of the players on the Patriots’ 53-man roster for the upcoming Super Bowl, all while serving as head coach and general manager from 2000 to 2023.
Belichick’s impact is also apparent in the way protégé Mike Vrabel manages games with an awareness that seems inherited from his mentor.
“There were questions about Bill’s ability to build a roster because a lot of people had issues with him,” Joe Judge, a long-time assistant to Belichick and now head coach at Ole Miss, explained. “But it’s clear now that the mix of high-cost draft picks and free agents he’s gathered creates real depth. The vision he laid out for this Super Bowl team is still present, and Vrabel has brought it to life. There’s no denying he’s on the right track.”
Let’s dive a little deeper:
Draft Picks (10)
RB LaMondre Stevenson (2021, 4th Round)
Stevenson rushed for over 1,000 yards under Belichick, though he’s now sharing time with Trevellon Henderson. His touches have dipped, but he still managed 948 yards from scrimmage, with a notable performance of 25 carries in the AFC Championship Game.
WR Demario Douglas (2023, 6th Round)
Though Douglas logged only 31 catches for 447 yards this past season, his yards per target surged to a career-high of 9.7, and his versatility in rushing plays is worth noting.
WR Kayshon Boutte (2023, 6th Round)
Boutte, who was inactive for eight games as a rookie, had a much better second season. He led the league with 16.7 yards per catch and scored six touchdowns.
OL Mike Onwenu (2020, 6th Round)
Onwenu is often overlooked as a blocker. He’s primarily played at right guard but has filled in at tackle as well. He allowed two sacks and faced another quarterback hit this season.
DT Christian Barmore (2021, 2nd Round)
Barmore struggled with health issues due to a blood clot, resulting in only 11 career starts over four seasons. Under Vrabel’s leadership, he’s taken on a larger role, though he’s had just one season with more than three sacks; that was eight sacks in 2023.
OLB Anfernee Jennings (2020, 3rd Round)
Jennings re-signed during Jerod Mayo’s brief term as head coach in 2024 and started 30 games in the 2023-24 season, although he became a backup this year with just two sacks.
LB Marte Mapu (2023, 3rd Round)
Mapu, a hybrid linebacker/safety, saw limited action defensively, playing only 120 snaps this season, though he remained a key player on special teams.
CB Christian Gonzalez (2023, 1st Round)
One of Belichick’s clever moves was trading from the 14th to the 17th pick to thwart the Jets’ offensive line plans, ultimately landing a Pro Bowler whom scouts considered the best cornerback of his class. His fourth interception sealed the AFC Championship.
CB Marcus Jones (2022, 3rd Round)
Jones, a part-time starter, turned out to be dynamic when given the ball. The two-time All-Pro returner racked up four touchdowns this season, including two pick-sixes and two punt returns.
P Bryce Ballinger (2023, 6th Round)
Thanks to an improved offense, Ballinger only had to punt 51 times this season, a significant drop from his rookie year. He averaged 40.6 net yards per kick, with 41.2% landing inside the 20-yard line.
“In the cases of Stevenson and Onwenu, Bill recognized their potential and knew his investment in their growth would yield dividends,” Judge commented. “Jennings and Boutte fell down many draft boards in their final college year, but Bill saw their fit and capability to evolve into key contributors.”
Trade/Free Agent (6)
TE Hunter Henry (2021)
Before the Patriots splurged with $364 million in free agency in 2025, they spent $290 million in 2021, which didn’t pan out well—except for Henry, who made a career-high 768 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns while being a safety net for Drake Maye.
OT Vederian Law (2023)
Law, acquired from the Vikings right before a training camp shortened by injuries, became a full-time starter in 2024. Now, under Coach Vrabel, he’s back to being a backup and short-yardage blocker.
LB Christian Ellis (2023)
Ellis, one of Belichick’s last signings, played in the last four games and got re-signed during Mayo’s time. He recorded 94 tackles this season and forced fumbles in 15 games.
LB Jalani Tavai (2021)
Tavai achieved back-to-back 100-tackle seasons but missed five games this year while adjusting to a new, speed-focused system. He faced personal challenges but was honored with the team’s Ed Brock Courage Award.
CB Alex Austin (2023)
Austin, who was signed after being released by the Bills and Texans, spent two seasons on injured reserve. When healthy, he added depth on defense and special teams.
S Brenden Schooler (2022)
Belichick has a knack for spotting undrafted talent like Schooler, one of the 18 players added to his 53-man roster for the 2017 Super Bowl. Schooler has led the Patriots in special teams snaps for four seasons and earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2024.
“Schooler and Jones were seen as immediate value on special teams,” Judge noted, “but their growth is turning them into defensive assets. It’s a great feeling to see the Patriots back in the Super Bowl.”
