We’re running a mailbag on Fridays during the season. If you have questions on the Patriots, NFL, or want gripe about past answers, email cmason@masslive.com or tweet @bychrismason. Now let’s get to this week’s questions!
Seemed like the offense caught some life this weekend, but can you point to a single reason why the defense played so poorly? Seems like bad fundamentals. Is that a reflection of poor coaching? — Matt K.
I can point to a bunch of different reasons from last week’s lost to the Texans. Poor fundamentals were an issue on both runs they allowed of 50+ yards — videos here — and Mayo should certainly be held accountable for that. Bad run fits, bad tackling, bad results. That has to be coached better.
But Houston hanging 41 on them wasn’t as simple as defensive coaching alone.
C.J. Stroud also started five drives in New England territory and the Texans wound up with 24 points there. Though the offense was exciting and the growth in the passing game is obviously a cause for optimism, they weren’t helping the field position battle with turnovers.
Beyond that, personnel is obviously becoming an issue.
New England’s high-end talent is evaporating and they simply don’t have enough depth. On both of those explosive runs, Raekwon McMillan couldn’t hold up, and the drop off from Ja’Whaun Bentley at linebacker has been obvious. The pass rush has been punch-less without Christian Barmore and Matthew Judon, which makes life even tougher on a secondary that’s currently playing Jaylinn Hawkins in a spot that’d been earmarked for Jabrill Peppers. This isn’t a top-end roster.
So it’s a little bit of everything right now, but it’s undeniable that they’re underwhelming.
Prior to Thursday Night Football, a Patriots defense that came into the season with Top 10 aspirations was 25th in total defense, 24th against the pass, 20th against the run, and 21st in scoring defense. They’re not doing anything well right now. With an offense that’s in its infancy, the defense needs to be better if the Patriots are to be competitive down the stretch, but there’s no magic wand given the state of the roster.
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Why is Eliot Wolf punting on this season? — Mike S.
I don’t think it’s punting on the season as much as it’s taking a longer-term look at things.
The Patriots are never going to be in on aging veterans like Davante Adams and Amari Cooper when they’re not close to contending right now; sending a third-rounder for either of them would be foolish given where the Patriots are in their rebuild. Mayo was honest about that on WEEI earlier this week.
“From a roster standpoint in general — especially with our younger players — we had to see what we have this year no matter what the record is. When we get out of this season, we need to know exactly what we have from a talent standpoint and then fill the holes that we need to fill… This isn’t a one-year thing, in my mind. It’s going to take time to continue to build out the roster and that’s how it is.”
Realistic goals are being competitive in 2025 and contending in 2026.
Will the Pats add players via trade this season or continue to muddle with its existing roster? — Ed H.
I think what you’re seeing right now is what you’ll continue to get. If they make a trade, I’d imagine it’ll be for a low-cost, developmental piece. In 2024, the priority is going to be continuing to turn over the bottom of the roster and seeing if they can find keepers anywhere. Center Ben Brown and defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy are a couple examples of the current approach.
Are the Pats having some buyer’s remorse about Rhamondre Stevenson’s contract extension? — Conor M.
Between the fumbles and the foot injury, it certainly hasn’t aged well thus far.
However, Stevenson is under contract through 2028, so there’s plenty of time for this one to turn around; a month and a half is a pretty light sample size.
Given the changes in the Patriots starting lineup, would you bet on more or less wins than your preseason prediction? I would go lower — Miller
I picked them to finish 4-13 before the season, and you know what? I’m sticking with it.
Maye and company should infuse life into this offense, and with one win under their belts, I think they can weasel three more out. With opponents like Jacksonville, Tennessee, Miami, and Arizona looming, there are winnable games on the schedule, and there’s always a wild card (like Cincinnati) in there, too.
So I’m sticking with 4-13.
