IMHO, this is ALL about 3 things for this year:
FIRST: Belichick failed in his choice of QB. Of course, most GM's do.
SECOND: Belichick had no plan be, not even a backup if Mac was injured. Most competent coaches have backups that they believe they can count on. That became especially important when Josh left.
THREE: Belichick's OL plan for 2023 was seriously flawed. His plan didn't allow for injuries to so many, many OL's. Starting with a healthy Brwon, Strange, Andrews, Onwenu and McDermott (with the kids as backups) would have made a lot difference. When needed, Onwenu could have been moved to OT and Sow or Mafi could have started at RG. (Note that this required nothing from Anderson or Reiff)
=====================
Yeah, I know the talent is so terrible that even after Brady. How terrible? The team has been competitive for the playoffs in EVERY SEASON. Even this year, with a failed QB and no backup, we would be competitive again. We lost our entire OL, Gonzo, Judon and Ekuale to injuries. Is White back at 100?
Perhaps, just perhaps, patriots fans since Brady arrived just think that we are entitled to be competitive for the playoffs each year. Our team AFTER Brady has been about average, but then, average is terrible for those who have arrived since 2001. Even among us elders, perhaps we have trouble reclling the team pre-Kraft. Perhaps, we have trouble looking around the league and comparing our team from the last 3 years with others.
FOR ME, MY REALITY is that we have been competitive after Brady left, and we were competitive going into this season. That is what Kraft promised and has delivered for 30 years.
The BOTTOM LINE
is that we WON'T be competitive for the Super Bowl until we get a top 10 QB. AND, under Kraft ownership. we WILL be competitive for the tile game and SB when we do have a top 10 QB.
We SHOULD balm Belichick for the position of QB. It has been grossly mismanaged. After picking Mac at 15, we should have acquired at least two QB's who could start games or be potential starters. MAC JONES R THE DELUGE was a truly awful choice. Perhaps, it could have worked if Josh stayed, and we had a future backup/starter on the roster who would have been expected to replace Hoyer at some point.
So, Kraft has one choice with Belichick, Bring back Josh and also draft a QB, a perhaps acquire a vet.
