Patriots Crumble Late-Season: Fixing the Pats in the aftermath of the Brady-Belichick era
The 2020 NFL season is one that Patriots fans will want to forget. After two decades of non-stop winning, 2020 was humbling. The team began the season with a 6-6 record, and entered week 13 on a two-game win streak, a mediocre start, yet somewhat forgivable. However, the team went on to drop three in a row, a losing streak that included two embarrassing primetime beat-downs against the Rams and Bills respectively. The team finished with a 7-9 record, Bill Belichick’s first losing season as a head coach since the 90s. To many, the future looks grim in New England. The end of an era has arrived. The team will embark on a full rebuild, a process that may take years. This means losing, a reality that Patriots fans will be forced to accept. The upcoming offseason is essential if the Patriots hope to get back on track in future seasons.
First, the Patriots must address their quarterback situation. The Cam Newton disaster must end. Yes, he tried. Yes, he has a strong relationship with Bill Belichick. However, one thing is clear, he is not the answer to this team’s problems at the position. Newton finished the season with a meager 2,657 passing yards, 8 touchdown passes, and 10 interceptions while rushing for a league-leading 12 touchdowns (among quarterbacks). The team struggled to push the ball downfield throughout the entire season and looked particularly awful against strong defenses such as Buffalo. The Patriots will likely look to address this issue in the draft. They should also look to sign a free-agent quarterback. Perhaps, they would be inclined to bring in Jacoby Brisset, their third-round pick in 2016. Mitch Trubisky is another option, as his tenor in Chicago is seemingly coming to a close. Nevertheless, the Patriots must have both a short-term and long-term plan at the quarterback position going into the 2021 NFL season.
In addition, the Patriots need to add weapons to their offense to improve their passing game. Specifically, they need to find a number one wide-out. The team hoped that N’Keal Harry (first-round pick in 2019) may eventually become this player, but have not seen signs as of late that this will be the case. Perhaps, the Patriots should try to find a few wideouts this offseason through the draft and maybe in the free-agent market. In addition, the Patriots will continue to try to fill the void left by former tight end Rob Gronkowski. Since his departure, the Patriots have struggled immensely to find production from the position. In the past, the tight end has played a key role in their offense scheme, so that should be a priority for the team. Finding a sure-handed player with size that can continue to support the Patriots run game, a relative strength, could make a big impact in years to come.
The Patriots will also look to improve their defense this offseason. While the defense will improve with the return of middle linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung, they still need to improve, especially up front. Belichick should look to sign multiple outside linebackers, as well as some big men upfront especially since key players Adam Butler and Lawerence Guy will enter the free-agent market.
The Patriots will not improve overnight. However, if they manage to address some of their weaknesses over the next few years, and maybe, just maybe hit on a franchise quarterback, they will position themselves to return to the promised land. Patriots Fans must sit tight and be patient––as hard as that might be. Belichick built a dynasty once. We must lend him our trust and hope that he can do it again. For now, it’s all humble pie.
