Sixty-five seasons of Patriots take heed in 2024. Despite their best quarterback of all time leaving after 2019 and their best head coach of all time leaving after last year, the Patriots are still looking for a way back to their dominating dynasty days. A new coach, quarterback, and team overall is a good way to start. Moving on from their 2021 first-round pick QB in Mac Jones, New England wanted a fresh start. Since the departure of Brady and before the Patriots 2024 season, the Patriots have had a 29-38 record. In a division that becomes the Buffalo Bills every year, is it possible for the Patriots to even closely match the success of their predecessors?
2024 Offseason:
Free agency and trade departures were in no shorthand for the Pats. Trading away players like QB Mac Jones and LB Matthew Judon. But also lost RB Ezekiel Elliot, WR DeVante Adams, OT Trent Brown, TE Mike Gesicki, CB JC Jackson and Jalen Mills, and long-time special teams player Matthew Slater, leaving the team since joining in 2007. But the most notable departure wasn’t a player but a coach. The Patriots agreed to part ways with legendary head coach Bill Belichick in early January. For the first time since 1999, the Patriots would not have him as head coach. They would promote linebackers coach Jerad Mayo to head coach. Mayo, a former Patriots linebacker, played from 2008-2015 and won a Super Bowl with them in 2014. But what did the Patriots add on? They signed returning veteran QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Antonio Gibson, WR KJ Osborn and Kendrick Bourne, TE Hunter Henry, OL Michael Onwenu, and OT Chukwuma Okorafor.
Regarding free agency spending, the Patriots spent around $136.4M (13th most in the league). Contract extensions were spent at $274M (9th most in the league). In total offseason spending, including the signings for their draft picks and undrafted free agents, the Patriots spent about $527.5M (7th most in the league).
The Draft:
For the first time since 1966, the Patriots were selected from the third overall draft position and decided to try to get the next great Patriots quarterback, Drake Maye, out of North Carolina. In addition to Drake, the Patriots selected seven other rookies in the draft and signed 16 undrafted rookies. Out of the 24 rookies, only four played 200+ snaps. The previously mentioned Maye, OG Layden Robinson (Texas A&M, 4th RD), WR Ja’Lynn Polk (Washington, 2nd RD), and S Dell Pettus (Troy, UDFA).
2024 Rookie Stats-
Drake Maye – 681 snaps, 2276 passing yards, 15 passing TDs, 10 int
Layden Robinson – 602 snaps, 4 sacks, 6 QB hits, 23 hurries, 33 pressures allowed
Ja’Lynn Polk – 436 snaps, 12 rec, 87 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs
Dell Pettus – 341 snaps, 34 total tackles, 1 sack
Expectations:
Nobody believes in New England right now. Maybe a bit after Brady left due to Belicheck being there, but now that no one is remaining from the dynasty, the Patriots are being counted out weekly. They spent big in the offseason with draft picks, free agency pickups, and extensions, so there is talent to be found. But there aren’t many playmakers now. Picking up the scraps and hoping for the best is the game plan as they advance. However, due to their dynasty, no soul feels any remorse. The preseason odds for them to win their seventh Super Bowl in the franchise is the last in the league as betting odds are at +30000. Their over-under win total is 4.5, also the last in the league. As for expectations, they couldn’t be lower if they were buried.
2024 Season:
As if the season couldn’t be more of a headache for the six-time Super Bowl-winning franchise, they have the most challenging schedule in the league based on projected win totals. They face the Bills twice, the Chargers, the Texans, the Rams, the Seahawks, the Bengals, and more. With a new team, quarterback, and coach under Robert Kraft’s regime, is the aura of New England still there? I’ll answer for you: NO! Time to Beli-check yourself into Cancun, Patriots!
Team Offensive Stats-
4964 total offensive yards, 292 yards per game – 31st overall
2995 total passing yards, 176.2 YPG – 32nd overall
1969 total rushing yards, 115.8 YPG – 13th overall
289 total points scored, 17 points per game – 30th overall
Through the air, the Patriots couldn’t get anything going. They also were in the bottom five for third—and fourth-down conversions and red zone TDs. They were 11th in turnovers with 11 interceptions thrown and 12 lost fumbles. But the offensive line is struggling, too. 52 sacks were allowed, the fifth-highest in the league. However, the run game was a little different. Guys like Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson made the run game strong for New England.
Offensive leaders stats-
Drake Maye – 225/338, 2276 passing yards, 15 passing TDs, 10 int
Rhamondre Stevenson – 207 carries, 801 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs
Hunter Henry – 66 rec, 674 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs
The Patriots, in some ways, never change. Having a tight end as your number-one receiver is an interesting way to go about it. It’s worked for the Chiefs, so why not? But this also shows the Patriots need to consider upgrading the receiving room this offseason. But the QB draft class has its ups with Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels; it’s downs with Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler. And in the middle, Drake Maye. Maye can be a good QB, but a young quarterback needs a good supporting cast. The wide receivers the Patriots got were solid, but a common theme for the Patriots roster is that there are no playmakers. Get Drakers some playmakers!
Team Defensive Stats-
5829 total yards allowed, 342.8 YPG – 22nd overall
3596 total passing yards allowed, 211.5 YPG – 10th overall
2233 total rushing yards allowed, 131.3 YPG – 23rd overall
417 points allowed, 24.5 PPG – 22nd overall
The Patriots are struggling overall on both sides of the ball but seem to have one category they excel in. Offensively, they struggle when passing but do well on the ground. Defensively, they struggle stopping the run but are good at stopping the pass. They’re sixth in most third-down conversions allowed but also top nine in least fourth-down conversions allowed. A very consistent inconsistency. In the secondary, the Patriots do well against the pass with players like Christian Gonzalez, Jabrill Peppers, and Dell Pettus. But against the run, guys like Davon Godchaux, Keion White, and Jeremiah Pharms are having their struggles against running backs.
Defensive leaders stats:
Jahlani Tavai – 115 total tackles
Deatrich Wise, Keion White – 5 sacks (tied)
Christian Gonzalez – 2 int
The Patriots struggled in pass rush, as well. Only sacking the QB 28 times this season, last in the league. But their secondary could be dangerous if they add more tools. But their best defender is Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a great corner. After a shoulder tear cut his rookie campaign short, his sophomore season was enjoyable. Good in coverage, rarely misses tackles, and only 22. Against Ja’Marr Chase, 3 targets, 3 receptions and 15 yards. Against Tyreek Hill (both games comb.), 6 targets, 4 rec, 65 yards. Against Cooper Kupp, 4 targets, 2 receptions, 9 yards. Defensively, the Patriots have a solid secondary and must keep it consistent as they work on their pass rush and stopping the run.
Final Grade: D
Positives-
The Patriots seemed to have gotten the right quarterback for their team, but they must not make the same mistake they did with Mac Jones. Give him time to develop, help him with the offensive line, and give him weapons. The Patriots have the most cap space in the league with $133M, and A TON of free agent receivers are coming into the market. Stefon Diggs, Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, and more will be available. Running backs are good too, with Aaron Jones, Najee Harris, and Nick Chubb will be there. The offensive lines needs help, too. If the Patriots use their money wisely, they can build a solid team around Drake, hoping he can become great in his sophomore year. And with a fourth overall pick to use and eight other picks, the Patriots are in good shape to kickstart their rebuild. A selection of Ashton Jeanty or Tetairoa McMillan would be great for them.
Negatives-
With all the money they spent in the offseason to little success, the Patriots will have a lot of depth, but how much will it cost them to sign bigger talent in the long run? It also worries that an experienced owner like Robert Kraft promoted Jerod Mayo and fired him after one season. First of all, he wasn’t ready for the job. He threw players and coordinators under the bus, denied he ever did, and wasn’t the best leader. Kraft hired a guy who hasn’t even become a coordinator to replace the greatest coach ever. It also shows that Kraft wants FAST results, which rarely goes well, especially on a younger team. He was spoiled with the success of Brady and Belichick and no doubt misses lifting the trophy. Patience is key on a young team with new staff and coordinators, and Kraft needs to learn that. And winning in the last game, when a loss would’ve made you the first overall pick in the draft, was the biggest L of the season. It’ll be a long time before people starting calling the Patriots Super Bowl favorites again. In a division surrounded by Josh Allen on the Bills, the fast talent on the Dolphins, and the Jets…well, are basing on signing guys by their Madden rating so there’s a chance to be the third best team in the division, at least.
