FOXBOROUGH –  Instead of preparing for a parade, a somber Patriots locker room was full of suitcases, trash bags and empty lockers on Tuesday morning.

It was ‘breakup day’ to officially end a stunning 2025 season that turned into an improbable Super Bowl run. It didn’t end the way anyone around the team or rooting for them wanted, but that didn’t change just how much had been accomplished.

“It was a great group of guys, a great season, I loved coming to work this year,” said Rhamondre Stevenson. “I loved it. Just proud of my teammates. I hope we can keep as many people as possible for next season…we know what it looks like now. We know the hard work it takes to get there and what to expect when we get there.”

Jahlani Tavai sat at his locker stoically, staring ahead as the media walked in for one final 45-minute window in the locker room. It appeared as if he was still replaying every single moment in his mind two days later. Khyiris Tonga walked around having guys sign a commemorative football each player had received before the trip (think walking around on the last day of school and signing your year books) to San Fran. Guys shook hands, hugged and then headed their separate ways.

Both Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel spoke during the day as well. Vrabel spoke about his message to the team, while Maye acknowledged he’s already looking forward to getting preparations started for 2006.

“Well, I just talked about a disappointing finish to a phenomenal, exciting, enjoyable year. It’s unfortunate,” Vrabel said. “Talked to them about the foundation I think that we’ve built. Much like a home, you build a home and then run out of things to do, so you continue to add on to it, you finish the basement, you make additions to it, and we’ll try to do that to this football team. I like the foundation of it, and we’ll try to improve on it.”

“Oh, man. I think you get to enjoy it when you see guys leave for the offseason. You get to appreciate what the relationship with them was like,” added Maye, specifically answering a question about when he’ll get to enjoy what the team accomplished this season.

“We just had a quarterback meeting in there, kind of reminiscing on the game and the season and what we could do better, and you appreciate that. You appreciate the meetings, the goodbyes or the see you laters. I think that’s when you kind of get a chance to look back and be like, ‘Man, what a ride and what a year it was.’ So yeah, I think it stings. It’s going to sting for a while, and I know it’s what makes this sport special. You come back, get a chance to take some time away, but not take too much time away because we were close, and you’ve got to try to find that extra edge. I know those guys in the locker room are going to try to find that, and I know the team may not be the same and the coaching staff may not be the same, but I think our identity and what we put on display this year is something that we can translate to this next year and build off of. So, I’m looking forward to that and looking forward to being back.

“They said 10 weeks until we’re back here, so that doesn’t sound too far away. It turns around quickly on you, so I’m looking forward to it, and I appreciate the fans. I appreciate the fans, the support. I know I didn’t play as well as I would have liked down the stretch, and I’m going to promise to do my best to work hard and get us back to those moments in those games. I can’t wait to be back in Gillette and looking forward to next year. So, thank you, guys.”

The future is certainly bright at One Patriot Place, but the loss will sting – as it should – for quite a while.