Boston Herald
Maye running drills during OTAs
After going 4-13 in each of the past two seasons, many fans have lost faith and confidence in the team, but this year’s Patriots roster is here to restore hope. A playoff run in 2025 isn’t just hopeful speculation, it’s possible.
In the past few years, worst-to-first turnarounds have been common. After seeing what the Texans and Commanders did, what is stopping the Patriots from repeating history? It all started for the Texans and Commanders with a promising young quarterback and a new defensive-minded coach, which is exactly what the Patriots have this year in second-year quarterback Drake Maye and head coach Mike Vrabel. As Nick Goss explains in a recent article for NBC Sports Boston, “What History Says About Patriots’ Playoff Chances After Last-Place Finish,” The Commanders improved from 4-13 to 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship Game. The Chargers went 5-12 to 11-6 and made the AFC Divisional Round.
A colossal factor for those teams’ jump was the coaching change as previously mentioned. The Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh and the Commanders brought in Dan Quinn, both experienced coaches. Each of them transformed their team culture in just one year and led their team to the playoffs last season after last place finishes the year prior. For the upcoming season, the Patriots are hoping that new head coach Mike Vrabel can achieve the same success. He’s respected, has good playoff experience, is an ex-Patriot player himself, and is already getting praise from players. At OTAs, Patriots Cornerback Christian Gonzales told the media, “Love playing for Vrabel so far. Great energy. Everything you see on TV, that’s exactly what you get… I’ve enjoyed it.”
Another factor working in the Patriots’ favor is their favorable schedule. According to strength-of-schedule rankings, New England faces one of the easiest slates in the league this year and has many favorable matchups.
To go along with the new coach and schedule, the Patriots also went out and spent by far the most amount of money in the NFL, dropping $300 million on free agents, where they addressed many defensive issues. That includes Milton Williams (DL), Harold Landry (LB), Robert Spillane (LB), Carlton Davis (CB), and others. They will also welcome back their beast interior defensive lineman Christian Baremore after he missed all last season with blood clots.
On the offensive side of the ball, they added many new weapons for Maye. A new number-one wide receiver in Stefon Diggs, a third-round pick in Kyle Williams, and a serviceable receiver in Mack Hollins should support Maye through the air. Not to mention, the Patriots went out and snagged one of the most explosive running backs in the draft, second-round pick and national champion Treyvon Henderson, who will add some explosion and strong pass blocking to the offense.
The biggest offensive problems, however, were with the offensive line last season. Now with the insertions of fourth overall selection left tackle Will Campbell, veteran right tackle Morgan Moses, and center Garret Bradbury, Maye should have time to pick dandelions in the pocket.
After obtaining new offensive and defensive pieces, the Patriots also knew they needed help on special teams, especially kicker. The Pats addressed the need in the draft when they drafted the first kicker off the board at pick 182 with Miami’s Andres Borreglas. Later on, New England also selected Julian Ashby, a long snapper out of Bryant.
Of course, quarterback play is the biggest X-factor. Rookie Drake Maye flashed major potential last season despite a weak offensive line and limited weapons. Now, he has Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, two new starting tackles, a revamped run game, and the return of Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator. As Goss writes, “Maye will need to cut down on the turnovers…but he has the physical tools and football IQ to be a very good (maybe even great) starting quarterback.”
Now with some new coaches, an improved roster, and a promising young quarterback, the Patriots may take the lead by storm. Playoff berths are hard to come by, but don’t be surprised to hear New England’s name in the mix come January.