Us New Englanders have been blessed, by some higher power, with the most incredible and dominant display of American Football since the first pigskin was crafted in the early 1800s. The 60s Packers, 70s Steelers, 80s 49ers, 90s Cowboys, nor the 20s (2020) Chiefs will ever touch the accomplishments of the New England Patriots dynasty. But discussion about their greatness can wait for another day, or you may even be sick of hearing about it already. Those unimaginable years without Brady or Belichick are no longer the future. They are happening right now. 

Infinite questions currently roam the sports media world about the Patriots and what they might do. And to be honest with you, it’s extremely irritating. I’m sick of turning on 98.5 FM every morning and hearing Toucher and Hardy argue about the same damn thing. Every. Single. Morning.

So to possibly ease your unnecessary stress and curiosity about the 2024 New England Patriots, I have crafted my own plan for Mayo and the rest of the front office. And don’t worry, since they almost never make an expected decision, I have included a section on what will probably happen, regardless of our hopes and dreams.

Coaching Staff

It’s been a month and a half since Mayo and Co. took over for the Belichick Regime. Some have gone and some remain, but for the most part, the former New England Linebacker has brought in an entirely new coaching staff to help him adapt to his new role. Notably, Mayo promoted Defensive Line coach DeMarcus Covington to Defensive Coordinator and hired Browns Quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt as Offensive Coordinator. At last, specific titles for our coaching staff. God forbid a coach is given a title that may slightly boost his ego… (Looking at you, Belichick).

What I Hope Will Happen

In watching the NFL for the past few years and paying special attention to other teams (because the Patriots have been unwatchable), I have noticed one thing: throwing downfield = winning. Every single team in the 2024 Playoffs had a competent quarterback who could sling it down field with ease (yes, Lamar Jackson can do this). The statistical nerds who run NFL Twitter may argue that an efficient run game compliments the pass game, which I agree with. But you need the balls and guts to throw downfield, something that the Bill O’Brien run offense never progressed to. 

As an experienced QBs coach, I truly hope that Alex Van Pelt will bring a modern day offense to Foxborough. Whether that means utilizing our receivers correctly or actually creating route concepts to beat zone defenses on 3rd and long situations, it better happen in some shape or form. Running Wide Receiver screens on 3rd and 12 won’t work, nor will it bring life back into 1 Patriots Place on Sundays. We have become an analytically obedient, abomination of a franchise. Let’s just SLING IT.

What I Think Will Happen

We’re all excited for a fresh start after the abysmal season that was 2023-24, but a new coaching staff doesn’t always mean a new style of on field play calling. In a recent press conference, Patriots GM Eliot Wolf mentioned that they need to “weaponize the offense,” per Chad Graff. But even if Wolf brings in all the top tier talent, it still falls on the coaching staff to utilize them correctly. 

My pessimistic self unfortunately sees this talent going to waste. If they go the route of bringing in a young quarterback for the upcoming season, Van Pelt and Company will likely depend heavily on the run game to orientate the newcomer QB. Statistically, an efficient run game sucks the defense closer to the line of scrimmage and opens up passing opportunities. Yet it seems that the most successful teams let their playmakers, well, make plays. Throughout the dynasty’s most successful years, the offense was extremely system based, even in the record setting seasons of 07’, 10’, and 11’. Unfortunately, I see the new staff trying to hold on to the “glory days.”

Free Agency

The 2021 Free Agency spending spree gave bundles of hope to the Post-Brady Era Patriots. All seemed to be going in the right direction with Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agolhor, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, and Matt Judon. Three years later, a free agency class initially graded as an “A” by experts has been middling. Standouts like Judon and Henry have carried the boats, but most failed to meet expectations. With a new front office, moreso Belichick not making final decisions, the Foxborough Faithful anxiously waits for March 13th. 

What I Hope Will Happen

The number one priority for New England during free agency is to retain their homegrown talent. Michael Onwenu is, in my book, the most underrated player not only on the Patriots roster, but in the entire league. The sixth round pick out of Michigan has excelled at both Guard and Tackle throughout his first four seasons in the NFL. Time after time, the Patriots continue to have offensive line issues when Onwenu doesn’t play. When he’s out there, the unit just looks different, in a good way. Big Mike is an elite run blocker and has incredibly smooth footwork when playing Tackle (allowing a pressure rate of just 4.9%), especially at 350+ pounds. The Patriots MUST work out a deal with Onwenu, no matter his asking price. Whether that means franchise tagging him ($19.8 million) or a long term deal, Onwenu has to be the anchor of this line for years to come. 

Kyle Dugger, another 2020 draft pick, enters free agency this offseason as well. As an under the radar prospect, Dugger has flourished in a hybrid safety-linebacker role, leading the team in solo tackles this season with 71. As a fan, I absolutely love Dugger and the tenacity he brings to the defense. Retaining him is key, but at the right price. The franchise tag salary for Safeties will be around $16.2 million (multi year salary will be similar), something that Dugger may have earned, but should not receive here in New England. The roster has incredible depth at the Safety position for a relatively low cost. Jabrill Peppers ($4.5 mil/yr) and Marte Mapu (rookie contract) both play a similar role and could take over for Dugger, who is already 27 years old. If negotiations drop to around $12-13 million per year, resigning Dugger is a must. Otherwise, it may deplete us financially. 

And finally, we arrive at my controversial opinion. The Patriots should NOT spend big, especially on WRs. Let’s throw it back to the 2020 offseason where Belichick and Co. have the fourth most cap space at $103 million…they signed NO ONE (of importance). The next year, the free agency class was much more enticing, and they were able to spend big. The situation is almost identical this year as New England ranks 4th in cap space. Offensively, this team needs an upgrade at the receiver position no doubt, but the top players at the WR position I believe are borderline second options. With Tee Higgins franchise tagged by the Bengals, Michael Pittman and a 30 year old Mike Evans are the best options left. No thanks. I’ll wait for Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, and Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2025.

What I Think Will Happen

I truly believe Belichek prevented others from making key decisions and having any say at all. Their titles of “Director of Player Personnel” actually meant “Director of Obeying Daddy Bill Belichick.” Thankfully, the new front office has FREEDOM. I have a weird sense of trust in our de facto GM Eliot Wolf to make the right moves. Wolf is a younger guy with a grasp on what it takes to win in the modern day NFL. In his recent press conference, he outwardly expressed the importance of retaining players like Onwenu and Dugger. He, and the entire front office, knows the fans are relying on them. He will get it done. 

The Draft

The argument made by casual fans that Bill Belichick was a horrible drafter is false. He was actually incredibly successful in that department, but he picked the players he saw that he could develop, not those with all the talent in the world. Entering the 2024 NFL Draft, New England faces need at almost every single position, especially offensively, and it will be interesting to see how the new front office approaches it. Will we see shades of Belichick-esque decision making? Or will they please the fans? 

What I Hope Will Happen

Please God. If you can hear me, let the Patriots draft a Quarterback at pick number 3. No seriously, I am dead set on the top 3 QBs of this class: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. I have watched enough film to declare all three of these players as possible generational, franchise-flipping prospects. With Williams most likely going #1, Maye and Daniels seem to be the most likely to fall into the Pats’ lap on draft night, and either one is a win. 

At 6’5”, Maye is the ideal Quarterback build. His frame allows him to run through contact and extend plays, something Mac Jones is literally incapable of doing (No actually, Mac goes down when barely touched). Not to mention, Maye has a powerful arm for the Air Raid offense I so badly want to see. 

Daniels isn’t too shabby himself. Despite being pretty skinny for 6’4” (200 LBS), Daniels is an absurdly explosive runner. He tore up SEC defenses last year with over 4000 passing yards, 1100 rushing yards, 50 total touchdowns, just 4 interceptions, and a Heisman trophy to go along with it. Although he may not have the strongest arm, his athleticism, accuracy, and toughness definitely make up for it.

If I had to choose, Drake Maye would be my 1st choice, but either QB can be the one to return the Patriots to contention. In today’s NFL, you need a competent and mobile QB to win, and the 2024 Draft has three options that cannot be passed up on.

What I Think Will Happen

Ultimately, I can see the Pats taking Marvin Harrison Jr, trading back, or even going Offensive Tackle at pick #3. With a new regime in place, we have little to no knowledge of their tendencies. However, as mentioned in the free agency section, I believe our new front office knows what it takes to win, and that starts with a Franchise Quarterback. By the end of April, Jayden Daniels will most likely be the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, and we should all be ecstatic for it.

Other Thoughts:

• Edge Rusher Anfernee Jennings must be retained

  • Led the defense in tackles for loss (TFL) with 14.

  • Will be a great compliment to a healthy Matt Judon.

• Bring back Hunter Henry

  • Nothing but a reliable option for a young QB, why not?

• Resign Myles Bryant

  • Covering #1 receivers at 5’9” does not warrant hate.

  • Vital depth piece to the secondary.

  • Very versatile, great tackler.

• Josh Uche?

  • For cheap, yes.

  • Great compliment to Judon, but cannot do it alone.

• QB = Fans

  • Just drafting a QB this high will bring fans back into Gillette Stadium, something that Robert Kraft needs.

• Justin Fields?

  • No. No. No.

  • He is not good, nor will he be good. 

  • No pocket presence, no thanks. 

• Penix, Nix, McCarthy

  • Second round options if NE drafts a WR, OT, or trades down.

  • Penix and McCarthy? YES.

  • Nix? No. Had to go to the PAC12 to be great, a conference with historically bad defenses.

• Bridge QB

  • In order for a rookie QB to progress and be successful, a veteran presence is needed.

  • NE should bring in a veteran, whether it’s Jacoby Brissett or even Russell Wilson (for cheap), to start in 2024 as well as mentor the rookie QB.

  • Mac was thrown into action in year 1 which may have hurt his career.