Even though the 2024 season was a struggle for the New England Patriots, it was one of individual success for Brenden Schooler.
A former undrafted free agent, he established himself as one of the top special teamers in the NFL, signed a three-year, $9 million contract extension, and was named first-team All-Pro and voted to his first Pro Bowl. While the Patriots managed to win only four games all year, Schooler managed to take his game to a new level.
Now heading into his fourth training camp in Foxborough,
it would be easy for the 28-year-old to just stay the course in hopes of keeping his momentum alive. However, he has shown no interest in a “business as usual” approach this summer.
Instead, Schooler has reset his expectations: he wants to grow both on and off the field in 2025.
“We talked about that last year as well but Joe Cardona was still here, and he was that seasoned vet in the special teams room. So, being thrusted into that role, I’m really excited about that,” Schooler said at a press conference at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday.
“Hopefully, I get to wear a ‘C’ on my chest, be elected by the guys on the team So, taking definitely a bigger step in that direction when it comes to special teams. And then also wanting to contribute more on defense as well. Midway through last season I was able to step into a small role, so I’m going to try to expand that role as well on defense this year.”
Appearing in all 17 of New England’s games, Schooler was on the field for a team-high 86.5 percent of special teams snaps. A five-unit contributor, he finished with nine tackles as well as a blocked punt — numbers that only partially explain the positive impact he had on the unit all throughout the 2024 season.
In addition to his role in the kicking game, Schooler also saw the first defensive action of his career. Serving as the namesake of New England’s new “Longhorn” package, he was on the field for 50 snaps as a quarterback spy and situational blitzer, registering four quarterback pressures including a pair of sacks.
Whether or not he will get a chance to reprise that role in a new defensive scheme led by head coach Mike Vrabel and coordinator Terrell Williams will be seen.
“A little bit before OTAs, there were small conversations,” Schooler explained. “But, I think, more it was getting to know the playbook inside and out and not only make the team as a guy who’s going to contribute on special teams in four phases but to contribute on defense as well. We’ll see what happens. I’m sure there will be conversations coming up the pipe, but not too many as of recent.”
While his defensive status remains TBD heading into training camp, Schooler knows that he will once again be a core guy on special teams.
That means continuing playing a high number of snaps on the kickoff and punt return teams, the two coverage squads and the field goal/extra point blocking team. It also means taking on a more active leadership role, especially with the Patriots parting ways with their longest-tenured special teamer — long snapper Joe Cardona — earlier in the offseason.
With Cardona gone, Schooler is the logical successor as a tone-setter in the game’s third phase. That role might be new to him, but it is one he is actively embracing.
“I had great mentors in Cody Davis, Matthew Slater, Justin Bethel, even Joe Cardona when it comes to rushes on punts,” he said. “Just taking those guys under my wing and showing them all the ways that I learned, and kind of pour into them because those older guys poured into me.
“I knew how much that meant to me, so any way I can be a role model to those guys and can be a teacher — I’m still trying to be a student of the game — so if I learn something new, I want to teach them something new, too. Just try to be that guy in the room now, that is kind of the ‘old head’ now that has seen a lot of ball. It’s crazy. I’m only going into Year 4 but these guys look at my like I’m an old guy.”
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