Can the Patriots do what the Houston Texans did quickly under new leadership?

[Wozzy]

Drafting as well hurt badly ...This team just can't pick a stud WR if Jesus himself came down from the heavens and told Kraft who to draft - this must end if this team is going to improve quickly - can't rely on 30 year old veteran WRs to do everything.

Drafting falls under collaboration, so I believe I covered that.

Demario Douglas is a pretty good player, they need better blocking and better scheme... that should improve with Vrabel and whoever he brings in to run the offense.

It all starts with the offensive line, they need to fix that first and foremost. Hopefully Wolf takes a backseat to Vrabel's guy.

 

[mgteich]

Been a while but my thought after watching the Texans dismantling the Chargers yesterday ..

The Texans give me hope that our Patriots can do exactly what they did within 3 years from laughing stock to division champs.

Just a few years ago the Texans was horrid on both offense and defense and made the move to clear out coaching and sign a head coach who was a linebacker for his team previously with Ryans just like Vrabel is going to do.

Demeco Ryans and his new staff then proceeded to draft the quarterback of the future in the early round and added pieces in Free Agency like Houston getting Diggs and Mixon who both have playoff experience - (perhaps Harris,A. Jones or Chubb at RB and Higgins or Godwin at WR).

I could see Vrabel capable of doing the same since he already has his QB in place and a ton of money to spend in FA for some receiving talent like Diggs (who they are still winning without) and hopefully hires a GM to be able to actually draft and if all goes like it did for Houston maybe this team can speed up to Championship contention quicker than later.

I got a feeling we are going to be turning the corner after 5 years of Futility - The future is bright (at least I have hopes it will)

Yes, we can turn it around as quickly as HOU, being in the playoffs in 2025 or 2026.

A division win seems less likely.

 

[Ring 6]

I think the corner is in sight. Next year is about Vrabel laying the foundation and vision. Wish it was a better FA and Draft class. We are more than just a few players away.

I think the goal has to be the playoffs.
We play
Jets
jets
Browns
Saints
Titans
Panthers
Giants
Raiders
8 awful teams with no QB

We also play
Miami
Miami
Cincinnati
Atlanta
That were not playoff teams

We have the QB. We have 125,000,000
If people do their jobs, this team should be a playoff team.

 

[n1997y]

It's not just the Texans; the Commanders turned it around quick, the Bengals turned it around quick - there has been a shift in eras in the NFL, from coaching to QB's to other players, and I think it leaves a rapidly shifting playing field that makes quick ascents more likely. So, I think yes.

Living near DC I’ve been watching the Commanders turnaround. It started when the ownership changed, July 2023. Not saying the Pats need an ownership change, just that the timeline for turning the on-field product around started about 18 months ago. Last season they had the same record as the Pats, with a weaker strength of schedule so drafted immediately before the Pats last year. They took Jayden Daniel’s; we got their reject, Drake Maye.

Tonight they won their wild card playoff game, on the road against Tampa Bay.

So they went from worse than the Pats last year to winning a road playoff game this year.

That’s a good benchmark for an NFL turnaround. Can the Pats do as well?

 

[PaulThePat]

Last night they won their wild card playoff game, on the road against Tampa Bay.

So they went from worse than the Pats last year to winning a road playoff game this year.

Were the Commanders really worse than the Pats? They won at Gillette with Sam Howell at QB. For me they did a good job of tanking... didn't they even trade away a couple of high profile players? As soon as they changed the coaching staff, GM and drafted Daniels they instantly became a 7 win team because they were never 4-13 roster to start with.

I don't see the Pats repeating this turnaround without really hitting paydirt on coaching/FO hires, free agency and the draft. This organisation has been in the process of a complete and total systemic breakdown. Hopefully, we've reached rock bottom but only time will tell.

 

[Aussie Patriot]

I would prefer to see us use pick 4 at the draft then trade a number of our other picks for established or up and coming players.

With smart FA's and trading we could be a very different proposition next year.

 

[festy1986]

Not without a star OC and about 7 new offensive pieces.

 

[Real fan 02]

If the players are good let's take on some salary dumps for other teams. We need talent wherever we can get it and the draft and free agency probably won't be enough.

That's right! I'd even take the success Washington is having. I believe we can attain what they are doing under great coach, situation coaching, tough defense and great QB play. I believe Mc millian and trading for DK would vastly improve the WR group. It would allow pop, Boutte to play in thier natural spots as 3s and 4s.. also polk and baker would also have no pressure on them to develop as players.

 

[Real fan 02]

Yes, we can turn it around as quickly as HOU, being in the playoffs in 2025 or 2026.

A division win seems less likely.

Agreed. We now have the coach and QB in place. Now it about getting the roster talent. Watching Daniels last night his connection with Mclurin is impeccable. Drake needs his guy. He has Henry at TE.. but we need a game changer on the outside.

 

[Real fan 02]

Were the Commanders really worse than the Pats? They won at Gillette with Sam Howell at QB. For me they did a good job of tanking... didn't they even trade away a couple of high profile players? As soon as they changed the coaching staff, GM and drafted Daniels they instantly became a 7 win team because they were never 4-13 roster to start with.

I don't see the Pats repeating this turnaround without really hitting paydirt on coaching/FO hires, free agency and the draft. This organisation has been in the process of a complete and total systemic breakdown. Hopefully, we've reached rock bottom but only time will tell.

Commander were a better team when they beat us with Sam Howell. I give them credit. Under new ownership hiring Dan Quinn and putt the right coaching around Daniels. Your right we have thr 2 kost important pieces the HC and the QB. Now it's about the roster talent. I'd say on offense.. Henry, Boutte, pop are guys that will be here for sure. Adding a DK Metcalf or DJ Moore on the outside would be excellent for Drake. On defense. Dugger, peppers * gonzo, Bentley, Barmore are guys that will be here.. Adding some demon pass rushers and DL would do wonders to bringing the D back to top 10.

 

[KCSVEN]

Schedule is not too hard, they have more home games than away games, and most of their home games are easier. If the Dolphins take a step back as expected then they may become an easier matchup also. Several of the “harder” games have defenses you can score on - if the Pats get a good OC, a WR1 and make some progress with fixing the OL then they can do some damage.

Not expecting a winning season or playoffs but it’s possible. Around 7 wins feels more like a reasonable goal.

I think it is a definite possibility by hitting on the #4 pick and getting 4-5 free agents that contribute as starters.
Nothing is an easy win but Dolphins and Steelers at home are not "harder" games, good teams would beat them every time. We are not a good team but based on your breakdown I consider them easier not harder..

-Effective cap space 2025:
Dolphins -Negative17.6 million with 49 signed
Bills- Negative 15.7 million with 46 signed
Jets-Positive 15 million with 58 signed
Pats-Positive 112 million with 55 signed

Josh Allen is the only thing keeping us from doing a possible worst to first in 2 years, but his surrounding cast is weakened each year and they will continue to draft at the bottom of the round.

Pats MUST hit on the 4th pick and hit on multiple free agents. With Maye and Vrabel they have a maximum upside of 11 wins next year based on their schedule. Hard to see them winning less than 6 games. All assuming they don't screw up the off season.

 

[NashuaPats]

The Texans also received 6 draft picks for Watson including 3 firsts. That’s a huge amount of help that we don’t have. Nick Caserio doesn’t receive enough praise for that trade.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Been rooting for Stingley Jr since he came in the league,in fact I was hoping we would draft him - his bloodline has Patriots legend running thru those veins

His father isn’t the Daryl Stingley Sr. who played for the Patriots. Easy mistake to make though.

 

[Triumph]

Herbert gave the Texans the game.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Caserio >>>> Wolf

 

[Triumph]

Truthful Tedy Bruschi just called out Thunder Kraft's Pats front office full of "Yes Men"

They are still here beholden to Thunder who has the final say.

 

[Rob0729]

They can become a playoff contender by the 2026 season. Maybe a real contender by 2027.

They probably won't turn it around as fast as the Texans. The Texans had the Watson trade draft pick bonanza and far more years of drafting in the top 10 than the Pats have at this point.

 

[n1997y]

Were the Commanders really worse than the Pats? They won at Gillette with Sam Howell at QB. For me they did a good job of tanking... didn't they even trade away a couple of high profile players? As soon as they changed the coaching staff, GM and drafted Daniels they instantly became a 7 win team because they were never 4-13 roster to start with.

I don't see the Pats repeating this turnaround without really hitting paydirt on coaching/FO hires, free agency and the draft. This organisation has been in the process of a complete and total systemic breakdown. Hopefully, we've reached rock bottom but only time will tell.

NFL says they were worse. They had a better draft position. QED.

Commander were a better team when they beat us with Sam Howell. I give them credit. Under new ownership hiring Dan Quinn and putt the right coaching around Daniels. Your right we have thr 2 kost important pieces the HC and the QB. Now it's about the roster talent. I'd say on offense.. Henry, Boutte, pop are guys that will be here for sure. Adding a DK Metcalf or DJ Moore on the outside would be excellent for Drake. On defense. Dugger, peppers * gonzo, Bentley, Barmore are guys that will be here.. Adding some demon pass rushers and DL would do wonders to bringing the D back to top 10.

Commanders rebuilt by first overhauling coaching staff (in 2023), then making roster upgrades all over the place, and finally getting their QB in Jayden Daniel’s. Pats overhauled coaching staff and got their QB.

Thing is, the Commanders roster changes weren’t the glamor positions. Look at the attached summary. Notice the positions, except Ekeler additions were not ball handlers. Look at production last night: Brown, McLaurin, Brian Robinson are all homegrown players that were on the roster last year.

From what I see the biggest changes were team culture and coaching, followed by upgrades in the trenches and on D, not offensive skill positions on the roster. I think hiring Vrabel was the right move, better than BJ, to improve those for the Pats.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Caserio >>>> Wolf

Donald Duck >>>>>>>> Wolf

 

[Real fan 02]

NFL says they were worse. They had a better draft position. QED.

Commanders rebuilt by first overhauling coaching staff (in 2023), then making roster upgrades all over the place, and finally getting their QB in Jayden Daniel’s. Pats overhauled coaching staff and got their QB.

Thing is, the Commanders roster changes weren’t the glamor positions. Look at the attached summary. Notice the positions, except Ekeler additions were not ball handlers. Look at production last night: Brown, McLaurin, Brian Robinson are all homegrown players that were on the roster last year.

From what I see the biggest changes were team culture and coaching, followed by upgrades in the trenches and on D, not offensive skill positions on the roster. I think hiring Vrabel was the right move, better than BJ, to improve those for the Pats.

This is good stuff! this is exactly what is happening in NE within Vrabel. The coaching chang in Washington I think happened in 2024? Right Ron riveria was HC in 23? They also got the QB position right. Once you get the QB right everything else you can put together a lot easier. We are fortunate to have Drake. Not he has a great HC we just need to surround him with talent. I'm really excited for the defense becuase they will get huge boost from coach Vrabel.