Patriots' New Captaincy Core | NFL News

0:00It's September 1st, from kickoff to the final whistle, this is NFL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. Alright, let's talk about who's stepping up to lead the New England Patriots into the 2026 season. They've picked six players to wear the captain's patch. You got Drake May, the quarterback, who's no surprise here, along with veteran tight-end Hunter Henry, quarterback Marcus Jones and linebacker, Robert Spilling. They're bringing back that core leadership. Now, there are two new faces joining the captain's circle. Safety. Kevin Byrd, the third, who just joined the team this past March, has already earned that respect. And then there's offensive tackle Morgan Moses, bringing his experience to the offensive line. It shows they're not just looking at who's been there the longest, but who's making an impact right now. May's inclusion is huge. He's only heading into his second year, but he's already proven he can lead. Last season, he guided the team to a 14-win season, an AFC East title, and even a Super Bowl appearance.

1:05He was second in MVP voting, a pro-buller, and an all-pro. He's not just the future anymore. He's the present leader with championship hopes. Byrd's quick rise is pretty telling. He signed a one-year deal, and in just a few months, he's earned a cap-ancy. He's a three-time pro-buller, with a history of leadership, even leading the league in interceptions last year. His presence on the field, directing the secondary, is clearly valued beyond just his ball-hawking skills. So, you have May, the established star, Byrd and Moses, bringing fresh leadership, and the steady hands of Henry, Jones, and Spalane providing. Continuity. This group is built on performance-improven leadership, not just name recognition, as they aim for another deep playoff run.