Patriots Rumors: New England Makes Important Front Office Hire

The Patriots reportedly filled a key role in their front office Wednesday.

According to multiple reports, New England hired A.J. Highsmith as its new director of pro scouting; Neil Stratton of Inside The League was the first to report on the hire. Highsmith replaced Pat Stewart, who left this offseason to become the general manager at the University of Nebraska.

Highsmith has 11 years of NFL experience and was the Tennessee Titans’ director of scouting last season. The reported hire reunites Highsmith with his father, senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith, marking the first time the two will work together in the NFL.

The reported hire also marks another person with a connection to head coach Mike Vrabel. A.J. Highsmith joins a crowded front office. Vrabel is at the top alongside executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and vide president of player personnel Ryan Cowden. The group also includes Alonzo Highsmith, director of player personnel Matt Groh, assistant director of pro personnel Sam Fioroni and director of football strategy Marshall Oium.

Time will tell how this group will work together, but it started off well for the new front office with a successful 2025 NFL Draft.