this franchise is light years away from the playoffs. Over Drake Maye's rookie contract, Really the only way they qualify is as the last wild card, which ensures a visit to KC, Baltimore, or Buffalo and another embarrassment circa Buffalo 2021. How on God's Green Earth do people on this forum think the Patriots - with all their foibles over the last 6 seasons - are going to make the playoffs over the next 3-4 seasons? I'd love to hear the mental gymnastics.
Buffalo, KC, and Baltimore are playoff locks - much like the Patriots, Colts, and Pittsburgh were locks - as long as their quarterbacks are on the field for 14+ games a season. San Diego and Houston are trending in that same direction. Those FIVE teams are virtual playoff LOCKS for the foreseeable future. That leaves two spots for the remaining ELEVEN teams. A healthy Tagavailoa gives Miami the inside track, so does Denver's defense. And let's not forget Cincinnati and Joe Burrow. I haven't even mentioned Pittsburgh, who always seems to be in the mix. Again, I'm talking over the life of Drake Maye's rookie contract (I am not convinced he will be here after said contract).
Much of this has to do with the owner. Bob Kraft is 100% concerned with social justice and doing what he thinks his billionaire elite peers think he should do. Examples? Bob Kraft cuts Antonio Brown at the slightest bit of media (mouthpiece for the sjw elites) pressure. Bob Kraft has the best coach in MLS....there's an "accusation" that Bruce Arena made an "insensitive" comments....so Krafty puts him on leave and Arena later resigns....Bob Kraft is a terrible owner. Bob Kraft chose Bobby Grier over Bill Parcells. Bob Kraft served bologna sandwiches to his players. Bob Kraft chose Bill Belichick over Tom Brady. Bob Kraft's Patriots have won ZERO playoff games since 2018. Bob Kraft's Revolution have won TWO playoff rounds since 2015. Bob Kraft thinks free parking and a gift card will appease the fans.
There's a **** ton of losing going on down at One Patriot Place. The sooner everyone realizes that, the better. Unless there's some drastic deviation from the mean - the Pats draft a Pro Bowl caliber wide receiver who plays like one, sign a big time game changing FA or two who actually perform on the field - this thing isn't getting better. Bob Kraft has a guy who looks like he could be a franchise quarterback....and he surrounds him with rookie coaches, inexperienced nepo baby front office staff, who in turn surround the franchise quarterback with #2 tight ends, #3 receivers, and street free agent offensive linemen.
Bob Kraft is closer to turning Drake Maye into Jeff George than Josh Allen.
