When do you think the Patriots will be SB Contenders?

[NFL Mystique]

I've seen alot of posts about rebuilding a creating a great culture again. Assuming Maye pans out, the defense gets better, and a top WR is added, when do you think the team should be SB contenders? Meaning, winning the division and as good as other top teams.

 

[sb1]

They did a nice job cleaning out some trash, but their window to contend for anything is still at least 1 and probably 2 good drafts away from opening. IMO

Can't be said enough how dismal the roster was the last few years.

 

[JayNM]

One victory against Caleb Young and the Panthers, we go straight into SB prospection

I like it

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Next year

 

[Joey007]

I think 2026 is doable if things break right. This year laid the foundation for the OL, DL. Franchise QB is locked in.

Hit a couple draft picks next year, strengthen the depth, sign a few more finishing pieces in FA, and we could catch lightning in a bottle.

 

[Joey007]

At minimum, there’s no reason why we can’t at least be pushing for the divison next year

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Original Magic 8 Ball

 

[mike_usagisan]

I don't think it happens before winning the division, and even that feels a year or two away under the best circumstances.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Once you have “the guy” at QB, your SB window is open, regardless of the rest of your roster. Now the rest of your roster may prevent you from getting to and ultimately winning it, you will be in contention.

Washington made it to the NFCC because Daniels was him last year

Cincy went to the SB because Burrow was him in his second year.

Etc….

If Maye continues his current arc, we will be in contention next year.

That’s not to say we will win it, or be one of the favorites, but we will be contenders.

 

[Thunderhead]

2027 at the earliest. Need a couple more solid drafts and offseasons, and to wait for Mahomes/Allen to age. Hopefully they dont play well into their late 30s...

 

[Dec54]

Two to three years. Rebuilds take time.

 

[NFL Mystique]

I was going to say 2028 in my original post. If that season starts and the Patriots are not a SB contender, I think something has gone wrong. Would you agree? Maye will be 26.

People keep mentioning Maye and him being a possible franchise QB. Him turning into one would be great. But of course, that means the team will need to give him a mega deal in about 18 months. Thus, they won't have that elite QB on a cheap deal. It will also be the richest contract in Patriots history.

 

[PatsFan2]

I've seen alot of posts about rebuilding a creating a great culture again. Assuming Maye pans out, the defense gets better, and a top WR is added, when do you think the team should be SB contenders? Meaning, winning the division and as good as other top teams.

IF we Win Sunday night in Buffalo.

 

[Bill Lee]

People keep mentioning Maye and him being a possible franchise QB. Him turning into one would be great. But of course, that means the team will need to give him a mega deal in about 18 months. Thus, they won't have that elite QB on a cheap deal. It will also be the richest contract in Patriots history.

This is a classy problem to have. Far better than having little choice but to give Brock Purdy or Tua Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray the bag.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Next year is possible, 2027 is more likely. As of right now i think we just need:

Lb upgrade
Edge upgrade or at least an impactful #3 behind landry/chiasson
Safety upgrade
Wr upgrade

Ol is still kinda up in the air but may be better than i suspected:
-Moses will obviously need replaced soon but does he have another year in him? Also is Bryant able to step in next year?
-Bradbury has been good thus far but still wanna see him keep it up the season.
-Onwenu may be replaced, but if we do that frees up more than enough money to use on a replacement
-Maybe one more solid depth piece on the interior is needed

To be on the safe side you should approach next offseason looking to invest resources in a rt and a g/c so im seeing 6 crucial priorities plus some depth pieces. That could be doable in an offseason but may take 2 offseasons.

This is of course assuming drake is the guy because if hes not that timeline goes from 1-2 years to Indefinite anyways

 

[Thelonious]

Maybe two more years. The roster, though it is much better, is still pretty thin. Josh is a great OC. We need a legit DC, and Vrabel is probably - unless the "I'm a lovable *******" schtick wears thin - an adequate coach. Drake seems like threreal deal. So next year on the cusp, the year after right in the small group of legit threats to win it all. I regard that as reasonably optimistic: others will not, but that's as far as I can go.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I was going to say 2028 in my original post. If that season starts and the Patriots are not a SB contender, I think something has gone wrong. Would you agree? Maye will be 26.

People keep mentioning Maye and him being a possible franchise QB. Him turning into one would be great. But of course, that means the team will need to give him a mega deal in about 18 months. Thus, they won't have that elite QB on a cheap deal. It will also be the richest contract in Patriots history.

I keep thinking about how long it has taken places like San Diego (or wherever they are now) to get Herbert a good team. How Buffalo hasn't been with Allen. How Cincy has only been once with Burrow. How Baltimore with Lamar has never been. We're spoiled by the Brady years, but just making it to the Super Bowl is really hard.

 

[Real fan 02]

I've seen alot of posts about rebuilding a creating a great culture again. Assuming Maye pans out, the defense gets better, and a top WR is added, when do you think the team should be SB contenders? Meaning, winning the division and as good as other top teams.

I have said personally we've essentially been in "rebuild " since Brady left. We saw some mild success in 2021 making the postseason. 10 wins.

However have regressed since that point. I see this as more of a redirection. It's safe to say we have a QB in Drake who's really developing and entertaining the conversation of top becoming 10 QB. Vrabel has a rough draft with the team, staff, ect of what he's molding it into.

We will add more pieces in the next draft and free agency. Looking at the landscape of the AFC i don't see a dominant team right now. The bills have done this every season so it's not surprising they are 4-0. After that point it's really a free for all. If we can string together some wins after Sunday's Buffalo game then I believe this team could possibly make some noise.

 

[Real fan 02]

Next year is possible, 2027 is more likely. As of right now i think we just need:

Lb upgrade
Edge upgrade or at least an impactful #3 behind landry/chiasson
Safety upgrade
Wr upgrade

Ol is still kinda up in the air but may be better than i suspected:
-Moses will obviously need replaced soon but does he have another year in him? Also is Bryant able to step in next year?
-Bradbury has been good thus far but still wanna see him keep it up the season.
-Onwenu may be replaced, but if we do that frees up more than enough money to use on a replacement
-Maybe one more solid depth piece on the interior is needed

To be on the safe side you should approach next offseason looking to invest resources in a rt and a g/c so im seeing 6 crucial priorities plus some depth pieces. That could be doable in an offseason but may take 2 offseasons.

This is of course assuming drake is the guy because if hes not that timeline goes from 1-2 years to Indefinite anyways

Agreed. Specifically looking at this season has alot of importance especially how we attack FA/Draft. We want the team to continue be competitive and stack wins.. so if we end up a team in the hunt that gives validation to the players and potential FAs that the NEP are on the come up.. if we don't beat ourselves & looking at the landscape of the AFC there is a chance to potentially make a postseason beth.

 

[Ring 6]

There are 2 types of contenders these days.
1) Solid teams with few weaknesses
2) Teams carried by their Qb

Good QBs can carry almost any team to playoff contender.
To be a SB team that QB has to be great in the clutch, which you don’t know until you get there.

Mostly teams that get to and win the SB have QBs that play great against tough competition in the clutch and the ones that can’t get you to the playoffs most of time but not much further.