Patriots Power Rankings: Last in NFL?
As the final remnants of red and gold confetti continue to be cleared from the Allegiant Stadium field in the aftermath of the Kansas City Chiefs 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the 30 remaining NFL teams are already on to 2024.
For the New England Patriots, the upcoming season will mark a new era. Unfortunately for Pats Nation, one major media network believes that it will also mean another finish in the NFL cellar.
New England Patriots Head Coach Jerod Mayo
Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire
New England, according to ESPN’s “Early NFL Power Rankings 2024,” the Patriots are projected at No. 30 , ahead of only the Washington Commanders (31) and Carolina Panthers (32) ranking last.
“What Bob Dylan wrote in 1964 [referencing the legendary singer/songwriter’s “Times Are A-Changin”] holds true as Jerod Mayo succeeds Bill Belichick as head coach after 24 years,” wrote ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Consider that during Belichick's tenure as New England's coach, the NFL's other 31 franchises had hired 213 head coaches. The No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft is also the franchise's highest pick in Robert Kraft's 31-year ownership tenure.”
Following a 4-13 finish, the team decided to “mutually and amicably” part ways with former head coach and de facto general manager Bill Belichick. After all, New England had missed the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons. Additionally, the Pats finished last in the AFC East for the first time since 2000 — Belichick’s first season as Patriots coach. Their final effort in 2023 ended in a listless 17-3 loss to the New York Jets under snowy skies at Gillette Stadium in Week 18.
As a result, team owner Robert Kraft decided in true “Godfather” fashion that Belichick was no longer a “wartime consigliere.” He jettisoned the 71–year-old in favor of former inside linebackers coach and predetermined Belichick heir-apparent Jerod Mayo.
Since Mayo’s hiring, both the coaching staff and front office have undergone significant overhaul. Traditional Belichickian mainstays such as ex offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and special teams coordinator Cam Achord, have been replaced by progressive-minded coaches such as Alex Van Pelt and Jeremy Springer — who are succeeding O’Brien and Achord respectively.
New England is also adapting a more collaborative approach to their football operations. While the proverbial “buck” previously stopped at Belichick’s desk, team executives Eliot Wolf (personnel) and Matt Groh (scouting) are taking on the duties of building a Patriots team intent on improving their dismal performance in 2023.
With $66 million in projected salary cap space for 2024, the Pats have decisions to make on filling several positions with free agents — both internally and externally. New England is also in prime position to secure the services of a new potential franchise quarterback with the No. 3 overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft — their highest such draft positioning since they selected quarterback Drew Bledsoe with the top pick in 1993.
While the Patriots are unlikely to experience an immediate reversal of fortune, team owner Robert Kraft remains optimistic that a new coach, a fresh front office approach and upgrades at several positions of need may be enough to put them back on the path of success.
“I feel a sense of excitement and great opportunity to hopefully position the team to be special,” Kraft told reporters during last weekend’s Super Bowl media availability. “This is the first time in 31 years of ownership that we’re drafting at the position that we are, and have a chance to get some great players, and also have the cap room that we’ve carried over. So, I hope it positions us for the next few years beautifully. I’ve said that to the team. It’s pretty exciting.”
