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New England Patriots’ 2023 season: 4-13, missed playoffs
Overview: The last season of Bill Belichick’s historic run in New England was arguably the worst. The Patriots started 1-5 and had wrapped up the franchise’s first back-to-back losing seasons in 30 years by Week 12. Weeks 4 and 5 were particularly brutal; the Patriots lost to the Cowboys and Saints by a combined score of 72-3. Quarterback Mac Jones was benched the last six games of the season, and Bailey Zappe didn’t prove to be the future either.
It all led to the Patriots parting ways with Belichick after 24 seasons, six Super Bowl titles, nine Super Bowl appearances, 17 AFC East titles and scores of more unprecedented accomplishments. Enter Jerod Mayo, the linebackers coach who was hired as head coach on Jan. 12. He had a message from the jump: “I’m not trying to be Bill.”
Maybe not, but there’s a ton of work ahead for Mayo and the Patriots, both in the shadow of Belichick’s success and the mess of a roster he left behind.
(Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)
Key free agents
OT Trenton Brown
OT Mike Onwenu (re-signed)
S Kyle Dugger (transition tagged)
WR Kendrick Bourne (re-signed)
Who’s in/out: On a roster this deficient of talent, it’s hard to find a meaningful focus, though offensive Onwenu and Henry are reportedly re-signing. Most of the Patriots’ top free agents have concerns with either injuries or production.
Bill Belichick is gone as Patriots head coach, with Jerod Mayo (left) taking his place. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Key free-agent needs
Quarterback
Wide receiver
Offensive tackle
Edge rusher
Linebacker
Why the holes? It all starts at quarterback for New England. Mac Jones’ solid start to his career fell apart the past couple years, and he got traded to Jacksonville. The Patriots own the No. 3 overall pick in April’s draft, which figures to give them a shot at one of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels. For now at QB, they reunited with Jacoby Brissett on a one-year, $8 million deal, per NFL…
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Publish date : 2024-03-10 15:21:58
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