The Patriots came to terms with Ravens free agent edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones, their major acquisition on the first day of free agency on Monday. (AP photo)

The New England Patriots disappointed their fans for the most part on Monday. They didn’t sign Randy Moss, coax Lawrence Taylor out of retirement, and declare war on the rest of the NFL.

Welcome to the world of NFL free agency, the year after the team spent a lot of money. They almost never make a huge splash, and on the first day of free agency, when splash is the operative word, it rang true again.

Yes, former edge rusher Raven Dre’Mont Jones is a solid signing, three years at $39.5 million. Big move.

And late Monday night New England saved face a bit by coming to terms with former Jet Alijah Vera-Tucker, a Pro Bowl quality guard when healthy. And Tuesday they added former Packers receiver Romeo Doubs to four-year deal worth about $70 million, but the guaranteed money isn’t known. But that’s a move they needed to make as the receiver market was drying up.

Feel a little better? You should.

They lost defensive lineman Khyris Tonga to the Chiefs and you have to wonder if Christian Barmore, whose has $10 million of his $12 million base salary for 2026 guaranteed on Friday, will be around to get it. Barmore’s abuse case was dismissed in court Monday when Bristol County prosecutors deemed it “not viable.” But the stain is already there.

It’s going to be interesting. The Patriots did make another signing or two; There no Alec Pierce, who took less money to stay with Indianapolis than he would have gotten on the open market (although more than the Patriots had reportedly offered). But they got what they could. Daubs had 55 catches for 724 yards with six TDs last season with the Packers, although he’s not a No. 1.

Remember, Mike Vrabel told us in wrapping up the season that the goal of every team is to get younger and cheaper players. Remember that team owner Robert Kraft has made it clear free agency is no end-all be-all, that the way to build a good team is really through the NFL Draft.

So there should be no surprise on how the day went. Either the Patriots got outbid on a couple of players, or they felt the market was too pricey despite over $50 million in cap space, or no one they had targeted was around.

There are more, mid-level moves they will make. They need a tight end, and needed a younger one even after Austin Hooper left.They need some offensive line depth after losing backup tackle Verderian Lowe to the 49ers. They certainly don’t need a fullback after also signing Reggie Gilliam, who can also play special teams. They also the other day tendered fullback/tight end Jack Westover.

They could in the next couple of days lose another edge rusher, K’Lavon Chaisson. So that made the signing of Jones important, but he’s a better player and it’s an upgrade.

But you all want more, that’s understandable. Again, we say here it’s not a good idea to deal for A.J. Brown until the asking price gets to the bargain level. Two bad knees, horrendous cap hit, why?

This will be a different team in spots than the one you just saw play in the Super Bowl. That’s the way the NFL is. Vrabel is going to have to mesh it all together the way he did last April, stressing to his players that same fact: new year, new team, new culture. That’s never more different than the release of linebacker Jahlani Tavai, whose story of a personal tragedy in December had the team rallying around him and each other.

The Patriots’ team building for the 2026 season has just begun. There will be so much more work left left to do after Monday, one day will not define it.