A player's time in the NFL determines whether they enter the waiver wire or become a free agent. Players with at least four years of accrued NFL service time are released. If a player is released, their contract has ended, and they are eligible to sign with any team.

Visit ESPN for New England Patriots live scores, video highlights, and latest news. Find standings and the full 2026 season schedule.

The Patriots are nearing cut-down day for a season in which they want to avenge their Super Bowl loss. So, who will make the 53-man roster?

Payday isn’t coming for New England Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez yet. The team is holding firm in contract negotiations with Gonzalez and isn’t willing to fork over a lot of money to reward one of the elite CBs in the NFL.

Every player in the Patriots' locker room will be paying close attention to see how the team handles the Christian Gonzalez contract situation.

The latest Polymarket referral code CBSSPORTS gives new users a $20 trading bonus after a $10 deposit, available for Thursday's NFL preseason finale slate. The New England Patriots visit Cleveland to face the Browns at 8 p.

ESPN placed the Patriots among the NFL’s five most watchable teams, although part of the explanation included skepticism about last season’s success.