When Tom Brady left the New England Patriots after a 20-year tenure, it marked a sharp turning point in the franchise’s history. Its downfall had started years prior, with Bill Belichick unable to restock the talent shelves from the draft and free agency for nearly a half-decade. While Brady had been able to mask those holes with his skill and leadership, everything fell apart after he left.
Belichick’s post-Brady years left much to be desired, and owner Robert Kraft soon kicked him to the side, replacing him with Brady’s former teammate, Jerod Mayo. While it looked like a surface-level fit, the wheels fell off quickly. Mayo’s mismanagement of rookie Drake Maye, mixed messaging to the team and media, as well as two separate six-game losing streaks, ultimately got him fired after a 4-13 season.
They have little room to be worse this year, but how much better can they get, just one season removed from disaster?
New England’s Locker Room Reset
While Jerod Mayo wasn’t given the talent to succeed, his locker room management was poor and borderline unprofessional. Constantly walking back comments often left the media confused and didn’t provide clarity to the players, leaving them with uncertain leadership.
That all changed when they hired 2021 Coach of the Year and former Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel – best known for his demanding, yet culture-building ways. He’s everything Mayo wasn’t: a straight shooter, defensive tactician, and most importantly of all, a coach that players fight to play for.
Examples are everywhere. This Wednesday, he jumped in to break up a fight between Patriots and Commanders players during a joint scrimmage, leaving the skirmish with a bloodied cheek. Players noticed, with tight end Hunter Henry saying, “He’s right there with us, man. I think that player comes out in him a little bit too.” This is the exact type of mentality that brings a team together and builds the foundation of an excellent culture.
It doesn’t hurt either that Vrabel played for the Patriots from 2001-2008, winning three Super Bowls and becoming well-acquainted with the “Patriot way.”
Development of Drake Maye
Mike Vrabel wasn’t the only coach who came back to New England. Offensive Coordinator and creative playcaller Josh McDaniels returned for his third stint with the team. He was integral to the Patriots’ success in the 2010s and now returns to develop Drake Maye, who many believe to be one of the top promising young quarterbacks in the NFL. Results have already started to show, with camp reports noting Maye’s footwork and mechanics having improved faster than expected. McDaniels even admitted he’s “Smitten” with the young quarterback from a recent press conference.
With Maye’s development, much-improved playcalling and new playmakers like Stefon Diggs and TreVeyon Henderson around him, look for him to show substantial growth in his second year.
Crafting an Underrated Patriots Defense
While many won’t recognize New England’s defense as great on paper, they have the talent to finish this season near the top-10 range. Free agent gem and dominant interior pass rusher Milton Williams (91.7 PFF pass rush grade) apprises the main addition to the defense. Joining him in wreaking havoc in opposing backfields will be Christian Barmore and Keion White – two young defensive linemen already playing at an above-average level with major upside yet to be fulfilled. With these three, the Patriots should be an elite run-stuffing team.
Other defensive additions included linebacker Robert Spillane and outside pass rusher Harold Landry III – two players who will sure up the second level and provide stability to positions that recently lacked depth and talent. In terms of defensive backs, the team also landed Carlton Davis III – a standout cornerback who will give opposing WR2s an incredibly difficult time opposite of borderline elite player Cristian Gonzalez. Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers round out a surprisingly solid defensive back room, with both driving fear into opposing players crossing the middle of the field.
Conclusion
Coming off a 4-13 season, the New England Patriots are likely to see a massive change in the right direction. The difference in culture, additions from free agency and the draft, as well as the development of one of the best young quarterbacks in the league could see the Patriots become one of the most improved teams in the NFL – jumping from four wins in 2024 to eight in 2025, with playoff-like flashes riddled throughout the season. With this, don’t be surprised if they finish as the second-best team in the AFC East. While they might not instill fear in teams just yet, they could start doing so as early as 2026 if this trajectory continues.
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