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Offseason In Review: New England Patriots

August 31st, 2024 at 9:59pm CST by Ben Levine

Four years into the post-Tom Brady era, the Patriots hit a new low. New England finished the 2023 campaign with only four wins, their lowest total since Bill Belichick’s five-win debut in 2000. That dismal performance ultimately led to the legendary coach’s ouster, meaning the organization has officially hit the reset button with two of their three franchise pillars out the door.

Owner Robert Kraft remains, and he’s hoping his two highest-profile offseason moves will help guide the franchise to another stretch of success. Jerod Mayo takes over along the sideline, with the unofficial co-defensive coordinator (and assumed Belichick successor) earning the promotion to HC. On the field, the team invested the No. 3 overall pick on North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, a raw but talented prospect who possesses more upside than any of the other QBs who have taken the field since Brady’s departure.

That duo will be hard pressed to match even a fraction of Brady and Belichick’s accolades, but they’re obviously not being tasked with reaching those same heights. Instead, Kraft and Co. will be counting on his rebuilding squad to show same flashes of potential in 2024, perhaps convincing ownership to open up the checkbook next offseason.

Coaching/front office:

Bill Belichick’s resume is undeniable, and the organization wouldn’t have won six Super Bowl rings without him roaming the sideline. However, considering his full dominion over every facet of football operations, he was chiefly responsible for the team’s downfall in recent years.

Even ignoring his influence on Tom Brady’s departure, Belichick made questionable decisions as both a coach and GM over the past four years. From his mishandling of the coaching staff (which featured handing the offense to former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and former special teams coordinator Joe Judge) to his mishandling of the quarterback position (which never featured a full endorsement of former first-round pick Mac Jones), Belichick was as much to blame as anybody in the organization.

Following the team’s worst showing during Belichick’s tenure, the head coach and owner Robert Kraft ultimately decided to part ways. This officially ended one of the most successful runs in North American sports history, and with the two main contributors to New England’s dynasties no longer in the building, the Patriots have officially kicked off a new era.

While ownership went through a faux head coaching cycle, the team landed on the assumed successor: former linebacker and recent de facto defensive coordinator Jerod Mayo. The former first-round pick rejected previous head coaching inquiries to stick in New England, a major clue that he was likely going to succeed Belichick when the time came. While Mayo showed some coaching talent while guiding the defense alongside Stephen Belichick, it obviously remains to be seen if he has the ability to guide an entire organization. At the very least, he’ll provide a fresh voice to Belichick’s old-school (and, potentially, antiquated) approach.

Mayo was immediately tasked with filling out his coaching staff. On offense, he landed on Alex Van Pelt, who was a surprise scapegoat following Cleveland’s blowout playoff loss last year. Van Pelt got the most out of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt during his four-year stint with the Browns, but the passing offense often left much to be desired. The offensive coordinator certainly won’t be evaluated for his rebuilding unit’s performance in 2024, but the organization will be hoping the offense shows some progress before the season is through.

On defense, Mayo settled on a familiar face to guide the way. DeMarcus Covington has been with the Patriots staff since 2017, working his way up from an assistant to the team’s defensive line coach. Covington was credited with the development of former second-round pick Christian Barmore, and Matt Judon and Josh Uche have both had success on the edge under the coach’s tutelage.

Belichick’s departure also left a major hole in the front office, where the legendary coach had full control over the roster. For that gig, the organization also opted for the long-rumored favorite: director of scouting Eliot Wolf. The son of long-time Packers GM Ron Wolf, Eliot will be tasked with bringing some of that Green Bay mentality to New England. In that arrangement, the organization would value the personnel department’s input vs. the head coach’s final say (a tactic that was impossible with Belichick at the helm).

Belichick’s ouster obviously had rippling effects on every facet of the organization. The coach’s eventual departure was inevitable, and while his successors may take time to find their footing, the Patriots have overcome the first hurdle of ripping off the Belichick-sized band-aid.

Extensions and restructures:

Curiously, while many pundits critiqued Bill Belichick’s recent draft track record and attributed it partly to his New England demise, the team still put in efforts to retain many of his extension-eligible draft picks.

Two of the team’s three foundational extensions came on the defensive side of the ball. The Patriots first slapped safety Kyle Dugger with the rarely-used transition tag before handing him a lucrative four-year extension. The former second-round pick doesn’t have any Pro Bowl appearances on his resume, and Pro Football Focus has been inconsistent with their evaluation of the defensive back. Still, Duggar has proven himself to be one of New England’s most reliable defenders in recent years, with the safety compiling nine interceptions and 20 passes defended. Facing an uncertain future, some consistency and familiarity will be key.

The Patriots also made a sizable commitment to defensive tackle Christian Barmore, assuring the former second-round pick is in New England for the foreseeable future. The Alabama product’s production took a clear step forward this past season, with Barmore compiling 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2023, the second season in which he was healthy for every game. Barmore added 19 pressures and 16 QB hits, and he ranked eighth among defensive tackles in terms of PFF grade (83.8).

On the offensive side of the ball, the Patriots strayed from Belichick’s former playbook by handing a running back a notable extension. Rhamondre Stevenson’s extension won’t break the bank, but the four-year commitment certainly shows a change in philosophies. The former fourth-round pick has been one of New England’s most consistent offensive contributors in recent years, including a 2022 campaign where he collected 1,461 yards from scrimmage.

David Andrews represents one of the lone holdovers from the team’s Super Bowl-winning days. The veteran center managed to start all 17 games for the second time in three years, and the Patriots are assuring he’ll continue to stick around as the team transitions to Drake Maye under center. Both Jabrill Peppers and Davon Godchaux were savvy former pickups by the Patriots in free agency, and the veterans were rewarded for their efforts with multi-year extensions.

Trades:

The Patriots didn’t seem entirely committed to Mac Jones during his sophomore season, and the quarterback clearly fell out of the team’s plans following his 2-9 showing as a starter in 2023. Even before the team committed to drafting Drake Maye with the third-overall pick, New England decided to move on from their former first-round pick.

Jones had an up-and-down showing during his time with the Patriots. His best season came as a rookie, when he tossed 22 touchdowns, earned a Pro Bowl nod, and helped guide the Patriots to a postseason appearance. The wheels fell off over the subsequent two years, although the organization certainly didn’t put the signal-caller in a position to succeed. With Jones showing signs of regression and possessing only one-plus season remaining on his rookie contract, the Patriots decided to revamp their QB situation by dealing the player to Jacksonville.

As the Patriots handed out extensions left and right, the team curiously didn’t give a long-term pact to one of their most deserving players. Matt Judon took his play to another level after joining the Patriots as a free agent in 2021, with the edge rusher collecting 28 sacks between the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. His 2023 season was limited to only four games, and with the defender set to enter his age-32 season, the Patriots were wary of tacking on additional term to his contract.

While the front office was willing to increase his $6.5MM base salary for the 2024 campaign, it sounded like Judon wasn’t all that interested in a lame-duck status with a rebuilding squad. So, the Patriots made a move that was probably inevitable anyway by the time the trade deadline came around, sending their top defender to Atlanta for a third-round pick.

Free agency additions:

Armed with a chunk of cap room, the Patriots entered the offseason with some high hopes. While the team pursued some of the top names on the market, the front office ended up settling for some depth moves in a clear effort to evaluate their holdovers and draft picks.

Offensively, the team’s most notable free agent addition was also a familiar face. Jacoby Brissett was a third-round pick by the Patriots back in 2016, but the QB only lasted one season in New England before he was dealt to the Colts, where he filled in (and eventually succeeded) Andrew Luck. He proved himself to be a capable starter but not a ceiling-raiser, and he’s since established a reputation as one of the league’s premier QB2s.

In New England, the veteran will keep the seat warm until Drake Maye is ready to roll. It’s uncertain if Brissett will run the offense for all or just part of the 2024 campaign, and the team’s sizable guaranteed commitment shows they’re paying up for the uncertain role.

The team added a handful of additional offensive players who could play fringe roles for the 2024 Patriots. Antonio Gibson proved himself to be a capable pass-catching back during his stint in Washington, and the veteran should provide the Patriots with a change-of-pace option at the RB position. K.J. Osborn topped 500 receiving yards in Minnesota in each of the past three seasons, but with an uncertain QB room and a relatively deep WR room, he probably won’t top those numbers in New England. Austin Hooper brings some experience to the tight end room, although the departed Mike Gesicki’s tepid New England production shows that we shouldn’t expect a whole lot from Hunter Henry’s backup.

Defensively, Sione Takitaki and Armon Watts landed on PUP and IR, respectively. Jaylinn Hawkins could find himself with a significant role if one of Kyle Dugger or Jabrill Peppers goes down with an injury, and the former fourth-round pick brings 25 games of starting experience to New England.

Re-signings:

The Patriots made a point to retain one of their lone late-round draft successes from recent years in Michael Onwenu, giving the versatile lineman more than $36MM in guaranteed money. The former sixth-round pick found himself in and out of the starting lineup in 2021, but he started all 32 of his appearances over the past two years.

Listing Onwenu as a tackle in 2023, Pro Football Focus ranked him 29th among 81 qualifiers. The lineman ranked top-10 at his position in each of his first three seasons in the league. With the ability to play both guard and tackle, Onwenu’s versatility should come in handy as the organization looks to patch together an OL in upcoming seasons.

The Patriots also retained a pair of former draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. Josh Uche broke out in 2022 with an 11.5-sack campaign, but he failed to replicate that production in 2023, finishing with only three sacks. The Patriots weren’t willing to give the edge rusher a long-term pact, but they’ll help him rediscover his pass-rushing prowess in 2023. Anfernee Jennings actually did get a multi-year deal after having the most productive season of his career in 2023. The former third-round pick finished the season with a career-high 66 tackles, and he parlayed that performance into a three-year deal with New England.

The Patriots also made an effort to retain two of their most notable additions from their 2021 spending spree. Hunter Henry has had a consistent role in New England’s offense over the past three years despite inconsistent QB player, with the veteran tight end hauling in 17 touchdowns over that span. Kendrick Bourne, meanwhile, has found himself in and out of the doghouse, but he’s generally been one of the Patriots’ most dynamic players when he actually sees the field.

Bourne hasn’t come close to matching the career-high 800 receiving yards he compiled during his debut season in New England, and a torn ACL will keep him off the field to start the 2024 campaign. Still, the organization is clearly confident that the 29-year-old can provide the offense with a boost of energy over the upcoming seasons.

Notable losses:

Bill Belichick represented the team’s most significant offseason departure, but the team also moved on from a handful of other notable names. Trent Brown‘s second stint in New England ultimately lasted three seasons, but the veteran offensive lineman was apparently counting down the days until free agency during the 2023 campaign. Despite the clear lack of focus, the 6-foot-8 blocker still ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 11th-best OT last season, and his departure will leave a massive hole (literally and figuratively) on New England’s offense line.

There was once a small (but loud) contingent of Patriots fans who believed Bailey Zappe deserved a legitimate shot under center. The former fourth-round pick wasn’t hopeless as a starter, going 4-4 in his eight career starts. However, his 11 touchdowns vs. 12 interceptions left plenty to be desired, and with the front office adding three QBs to the roster this offseason, Zappe was clearly on the outside looking in. Elsewhere on offense, the Patriots didn’t get the production they expected from pass-catchers DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Mike Gesicki. While that trio wasn’t entirely to blame for the poor showing, the group combined for only 91 catches in 2024. The Patriots decided to pivot to a younger WR corps by moving on from both Parker and JuJu, and the team didn’t seem to have much interest in retaining the tight end.

On defense, the team moved on from Lawrence Guy following a seven-year stay in New England. The rebuilding Patriots don’t have much use for a defensive lineman entering his age-34 season, but after starting 103 games for the organization, you would think the veteran could provide the squad with some of the leadership that they’re clearly lacking.

Jalen Mills was one of the team’s notable acquisitions during their spending spree in 2021, and the defensive back ended up starting 34 of his 43 appearances across three seasons in New England. However, his role hit a new low in 2023, with the veteran starting only eight games while appearing in about 40 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.

On special teams, the team lost one of their most vocal leaders in Matthew Slater. The special teams ace had been with the organization since the 2008 campaign, with the player earning eight All-Pro nods during his illustrious career. Slater’s recent impact was more felt in the locker room than on the playing field, but the 38-year-old has reportedly already landed back with the organization as an advisor. The team also moved on from 2023 fourth-round kicker Chad Ryland, who struggled to live up to his lofty draft stock as a rookie. The Maryland product finished the 2023 season having connected on only 64 percent of his field goal attempts.

Draft:

The Patriots entered the draft armed with the third-overall pick, their highest selection since they took Drew Bledsoe with the first-overall pick in 1993. With Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels both expected to be selected in the top-two, the Patriots shopped the pick before talking themselves into UNC QB Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick.

Maye’s youth and 2023 regression probably caused some pause within New England’s front office, and that also explains why the organization won’t immediately hand the rookie the reins under center. Still, Maye was arguably one of the highest-upside prospects at his position, and considering the Patriots’ draft investment, the team is surely hoping he reaches that ceiling.

Just in case he doesn’t, the team also decided to use their sixth-round pick on quarterback Joe Milton III. The Tennessee product obviously doesn’t possess the same upside as his new teammate, and despite having plenty of game tape during his six-year college career, he was still only a sixth-round pick. Still, Milton is known for his cannon of an arm, and even if he profiles as a future backup, the Patriots clearly didn’t want to put all of their eggs in the Maye basket.

The organization continued to invest in the offense, selecting Ja’lynn Polk in the second round and Javon Baker in the fourth round. The six-foot-two Polk has the better chance of hitting his WR1 ceiling, and while he may be buried on the depth chart to start the season, the lack of elite options means the rookie should eventually get a shot to show what he’s got. Baker showed some versatility in college, playing on both the outside and in the slot. With a pair of 2023 sixth-round picks (Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte) standing in his way, there’s a chance that both rooks are playing significant snaps by the end of the season.

Other:

While New England’s receivers room is full of NFL-worthy players, the depth chart lacks a true WR1. That probably explains the team’s pursuit of two of the more notable names on the market. The Patriots first tried to add free agent Calvin Ridley to their roster, who returned from a suspension in 2023 and compiled 1,039 yards and eight touchdowns. While New England reportedly made a hard push for the free agent, the organization was ultimately outbid by the Titans.

Later in the offseason, the Patriots entered the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes. In fact, it sounds like they agreed with the 49ers on trade compensation, and the Patriots were reportedly willing to give the wide receiver the contract he desired. However, Aiyuk didn’t want to play for the Patriots, a development that must have been a mssive blow to a squad that’s looking to reestablish some credibility.

Top 10 cap charges for 2024:

  1. Jonathan Jones, CB: $12.57MM
  2. Michael Onwenu, OL: $10.94MM
  3. Davon Godchaux, DT: $9.63MM
  4. Jacoby Brissett, QB: $7.88MM
  5. Deatrich Wise, DL: $7.64MM
  6. Kyle Dugger, S: $7.5MM
  7. Jabrill Peppers, S: $6.97MM
  8. David Andrews, C: $6.67MM
  9. Drake Maye, QB: $6.66MM
  10. Christian Barmore, DT: $6.31MM

While the Patriots made some massive changes this offseason, it’s not going to lead to immediate success. In fact, it could (somehow) get even uglier.

However, the organization took a major step by moving on from Bill Belichick, freeing themselves from his full control over the organization. If Jerod Mayo can prove his worth on the sideline and if Drake Maye justifies his draft stock under center (assuming he eventually gets a chance), the 2024 season could be considered a win for the Patriots…regardless of the team’s final record.

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