So much has changed in two years

[Wozzy]

They weren’t the least talented team in 2024… but they were certainly a dumpster fire.

If they hired Vrabel a year earlier, they could have been better a year earlier. The team build in the 2024 off-season was embarrassing, the coaching during the season was worse.

Talent without leadership or vision is a rudderless ship.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A QB controversy between Mac McCorkle Jones and Bailey Zappe was a thing. Lol. Lolololol. Lolololololololololololol.

The only thing that matters about that whole era is it brought Drake Maye to NE. We took our medicine and paid our dues and now reaping the rewards, the way it should be.

And, it's worth noting, the disaster class that was the 2024 FA/draft (outside of Maye, of course) helped bring Vrabel.

 

[PatsFan2]

And, it's worth noting, the disaster class that was the 2024 FA/draft (outside of Maye, of course) helped bring Vrabel.

And the 2025 Draft class that yielded Starters.

 

[Wozzy]

Davis mills was actually ok for them last season when CJ was out.. I would habe taken him over crying Mac Jones... CJ Has regressed he had a solid rookie season but since has been miidorcre.

When Mills played as a rookie the Texans team around him was abominably bad. They’ve improved the team a lot since then. I don’t doubt Mills is better now as well.

 

[Real fan 02]

Kind of worried about TE not very high on what we have after H Henry and Eli Raridon. Really hope we address that in TC in some type of Trade if the certain guys don't show something. An improved CJ Dippre probably solves that and Arkin might surprise as a Blocker. That said the FB position could be a fall back position if that Third TE don't emerge.

Kayshon Boutte makes feelings on future clear after Patriots acquire A.J. Brown - NewsBreak

Boutte addressed his future hopes amid significant changes to the wide receiver room in New England.

share.newsbreak.com

 

[Rob0729]

They weren’t the least talented team in 2024… but they were certainly a dumpster fire.

If they hired Vrabel a year earlier, they could have been better a year earlier. The team build in the 2024 off-season was embarrassing, the coaching during the season was worse.

Talent without leadership or vision is a rudderless ship.

Which team was worse talent? Name all the ones you thought were less talented.

 

[PatsFan2]

When Mills played as a rookie the Texans team around him was abominably bad. They’ve improved the team a lot since then. I don’t doubt Mills is better now as well.

I think it's open season on the Texans QB Position; CJ Stroud better separate himself or else. I can't see HC DeMeco Ryans wasting that Outstanding Defense this upcoming season.

 

[PatsFan2]

Which team was worse talent? Name all the ones you thought were less talented.

Good question I'm waiting too.

 

[Real fan 02]

When Mills played as a rookie the Texans team around him was abominably bad. They’ve improved the team a lot since then. I don’t doubt Mills is better now as well.

Agreed here. I Thought he played well when CJ was out. If CJ wasn't fully healthy then Maybe Ryan's should have kept CJ out and played Mills

 

[Real fan 02]

I wonder about Denver. They had a historic level of close game wins last season. Typically teams that win consistently with one score or less wins like Denver did in 2025 typically take a big step back the next year. And the Broncos had a cake schedule last year. Maybe not as easy as the Patriots, but it was an easy schedule. Other than adding Waddle, they really didn't do anything. And the trade of Waddle limited their drafting.

The Jags went on a great run at the end of the season, but other than the Chargers and Broncos they didn't beat anyone. They were 2-2 against playoff teams during that run. And they are a worse team today than last year. They could take a big step back.

I am not sure CJ Stroud is the best QB on his own team. Not a huge Davis Mills fan, but he might actually be better than Stroud.

I think a lot of people are just assuming the Chiefs will be dominant again when Mahomes returns. But they weren't setting the world on fire last year before he got injured. And he is such a mobile QB that this injury could hamper him all season. He isn't pocket passer. The media is living off Mahomes' and the Chiefs' reputation than making a real analysis.

Rob,

I'll continue to say.. for us the Bills as long as josh Allen is there will always be our biggest competition. Yes all those other teams you mentioned is exactly correct. Media talking heads are looking at the 2018 Mahomes not the 2026 version. I've even said myself that Reid needs to defer his play calling duties to get a fresher offensive mind.

We've as a team have gotten better. Seems as if the people doing the power rankings are assuming KC, Baltimore will bounce back. Not so sure....

 

[StockingAnarchyNumber12]

A QB controversy between Mac McCorkle Jones and Bailey Zappe was a thing. Lol. Lolololol. Lolololololololololololol.

The only thing that matters about that whole era is it brought Drake Maye to NE. We took our medicine and paid our dues and now reaping the rewards, the way it should be.

That was a dark time

 

[Real fan 02]

Huh?
So if we lose to Seattle, in Seattle, dropping their SB banner we have to go back to the drawing board?
It’s the NFL, good teams lose games every week.
Losing to Seattle week 1 will not make or break our season.
We lost week 1 last year…..to LV!
Obv a win would be great, but it’s a marathon not a sprint.

Remember that 2024 mayo season how we beat Cincy week 1 and the Bengals ended up missing the playoffs because they lost to the mayo patriots in week 1.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Huh?
So if we lose to Seattle, in Seattle, dropping their SB banner we have to go back to the drawing board?
It’s the NFL, good teams lose games every week.
Losing to Seattle week 1 will not make or break our season.
We lost week 1 last year…..to LV!
Obv a win would be great, but it’s a marathon not a sprint.

all we're talking about is the feeling/"narrative". Win that game and it's much more like "oh ****, Happy can putt now." Lose that game and there's that same hill to clilmb, proving that you should have been there in the first place.

 

[PatsFan2]

Kayshon Boutte makes feelings on future clear after Patriots acquire A.J. Brown - NewsBreak

Boutte addressed his future hopes amid significant changes to the wide receiver room in New England.

share.newsbreak.com

KB doesn't sound disgruntled I'm sure he knows it's business. And if he plays his butt off he could secure a good payday like Doubs next FA.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Many here who didn't have high expectations for the Pats in 2025 are comparing them to prior dynasty teams and not comparing them to today's game around the league. If you took the time to look at the other team's rosters, you'll find most of them are pretty awful compared to 15-20 years ago. The majority of these NFL rosters are are unbalanced and flooded with no namers and one year wonders. This was why there was a small minority (including myself) that saw the Pats were best team in the division as long as Maye plays like a top QB. He did and that's why they went 14-3.

Going into the 2026 season, the Pats and Broncos are the top 2 teams in the AFC. With that said, every team has weaknesses. And believe it or not, it also applies to the Pats - not just the other 31 teams.

The OL is the main weakness of the Pats and will derail their season if Campbell is haunted by the playoffs, AVT gets injured and Wilson still plays like Reggie Ray.

Defensively, they will be fine overall. However, their pass rush is not going to scare anyone. Like the early Pats years, it will come down to setting the edge effectively and timely pressures that actually creates a sack or turnover.

 

[Ian]

Sorry I didn't see that thread. If you want to combine both threads, I have no issue with it.

No worries. The link wasn’t of a thread - it was to Steve’s Sunday Notes article. You just brought up a great point with your thread and I wasn’t sure if you had seen it.

 

[Wozzy]

Which team was worse talent? Name all the ones you thought were less talented.

A bunch. They had Drake Maye, a defense that was a top ranked unit the season prior. The weapons were decent. The offensive line needed fixing most of all… they just didn’t fix it.

Look at the defensive ranking for points allowed (PPD).

2021: 2nd
2022: 3rd
2023: 5th
2024: 27th
2025: 9th

You think the talent disappeared entirely on the defense in 2024? That’s silly….

 

[JoeSixPat]

My main takeaway is that last year no one really wanted to play for us.... and who could blame them coming off the mess Mayo left too.

I have to think they were trying to attract a proven veteran LT in free agency but obviously that didn't happen with many staying with their teams or signing elsewhere. One has to think we had to offer some juicier contracts to get the guys we did.

Now we've got guys like Brown who are thrilled to be playing here for a team coming off a SB appearance.

That's of course not meant the floodgates of money were opened to a big FA shopping spree last year - but now they attract guys who, like in the Brady years, could come here on offense and put up some nice numbers that would get them a future big payday, or who just want to be on a contract with a team that can be perennial contenders because money isn't the most important thing.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Many here who didn't have high expectations for the Pats in 2025 are comparing them to prior dynasty teams and not comparing them to today's game around the league. If you took the time look at the other team's rosters, you'll find most of them are pretty awful compared to 15-20 years ago. The majority of these NFL rosters are are unbalanced and flooded with no namers and one year wonders. This was why there was a small minority (including myself) that saw the Pats were best team in the division as long as Maye plays like a top QB. He did and that's why they went 14-3.

Going into the 2026 season, the Pats and Broncos are the top 2 teams in the AFC. With that said, every team has weaknesses. And believe it or not, it also applies to the Pats - not just the other 31 teams.

The OL is the main weakness of the Pats and will derail their season if Campbell is haunted by the playoffs, AVT gets injured and Wilson still plays like Reggie Ray.

Defensively, they will be fine overall. However, their pass rush is not going to scare anyone. Like the early Pats years, it will come down to setting the edge effectively and timely pressures that actually creates a sack or turnover.

True, there's no AFC team that's perfect, we all have warts. The schedules are the next most important factor. We have a tough one, but Buffalo & Denver's are nearly identical to ours. Glad we have Denver at home, there's no team where that matters more. We do have some tough road games - Seahawks, Jags, Bills, Bears, Chargers, Chiefs - but we have extra rest before 3 of them. Health is the other factor. Not psyched that we already lost a TE.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Not sure how much it counts for but Bleacher Report ranks us Top 10 in WR groups with the Brown trade... although they list Boutte as our 3rd best WR so one wonders how well informed they are

I would agree with the assessment but what's more noteworthy is who isn't on this list such as the Bills

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25435155-ranking-nfls-best-wr-groups-after-aj-brown-trade