The Patriots’ 2023 season goes to be a slog if it retains up this fashion.
Because of how poorly the group has performed over the past three weeks, followers are already seeking to 2024 and past. And that’s comprehensible.
This week’s mailbag options questions on what modifications the Patriots could make within the subsequent 12 months and the way shortly the group can rebuild after a 1-5 begin to the season.
@_DerekPaul
What is the most important change you suppose we’re prone to see within the subsequent 12 months?
Based on how the season has gone up up to now, the most important change the Patriots are prone to make is at quarterback. I don’t imagine the Patriots can plan to begin Mac Jones in 2024 based mostly on how he’s performed now for the final two seasons.
There are actually extenuating circumstances in play. Jones has been harm by teaching modifications, a poor and banged-up offensive line and an absence of high quality playmakers. But he’s additionally bodily restricted, panics beneath strain and makes dumb errors.
So, until Jones can dramatically flip his season round, then it appears logical that the Patriots wouldn’t choose up his fifth-year possibility and make another plan at quarterback in 2024, whether or not that’s within the draft or by means of a commerce or free company.
It’s attainable that Jones might nonetheless be on the roster in 2024. But he must, at minimal, be competing for the beginning job with another person.
But it seems like something is in play over the subsequent 12 months. Do we all know for a proven fact that Bill Belichick can be again or that the present infrastructure of the teaching workers and entrance workplace will keep intact? No. No one has mentioned that, and the Patriots are 1-5 and set to be underdogs over the subsequent two weeks.
@LTizzel32
Can they only forfeit the remainder of the season to solidify getting the primary general choose this 12 months
Sorry, however no, that won’t be occurring. But if it makes you are feeling higher (?), there’s actually no obviously apparent win left on the schedule based mostly on how the Patriots have performed for the final three weeks.
If the Patriots can get blown out by the Saints and lose to a group quarterbacked for a half by Brian Hoyer, then what’s to say they will beat the Commanders, Colts, Giants, Steelers or Broncos?
@Alex_DaLuz
Why has Kayshon Bouttee been a wholesome scratch for the previous month? I hope the reply isn’t as a result of he performs the identical spot as Parker.
I imply, the reply is that he performs the identical place as DeVante Parker. That’s why he received so many snaps in Week 1, as a result of Parker was out, and Boutte crammed in for him. And then since Parker returned, Boutte has been again off of the sphere.
The huge receiver room is getting extra crowded too. With Tyquan Thornton again, Malik Cunningham on the 53-man roster and Demario Douglas and JuJu Smith-Schuster again in observe as they progress by means of concussion protocol, I don’t see a path for Boutte to get snaps until Parker will get benched.
And because the Patriots thought extremely sufficient of Parker to offer him a contract extension 4 months in the past, I’ve a tough time believing he could be benched.
@Kameron23879183
Will we now have to rebuild or can we enhance our offense in 1 offseason😭
The Patriots can positively enhance parts of their offense in a single offseason, but when they’re bringing in a rookie quarterback, then it’s most likely going to be a multi-year rebuild.
And actually, I do know it doesn’t sound that enjoyable to undergo a couple of extra shedding seasons, however the sensible path is discovering a quarterback by means of the draft.
@swami_spanish
Is the offensive line fixable in a single offseason?
It is feasible to repair an offensive line in a single offseason, and the Patriots have the wage cap to do it. I’m simply not precisely certain what that may appear like.
Trent Brown, Mike Onwenu and Riley Reiff are free brokers. David Andrews is getting into the ultimate 12 months of his contract. Calvin Anderson, Jake Andrews, Vederian Lowe, Atonio Mafi, Sidy Sow and Cole Strange, up up to now, haven’t confirmed that they are often counted on with key roles sooner or later.
Ideally, the Patriots ought to carry again Onwenu. But he’s had a troublesome begin to his tenure working with new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm. And it’s not the best signal that the Patriots haven’t signed him to an extension but. Andrews continues to be a great participant, and Brown might be introduced again. And the hope is that Strange can nonetheless be salvaged, however he has not performed like a first-round choose up up to now.
Source: www.bostonherald.com