NFL
By Steve Atkinson
Let’s face it, the 2025 NFL free agency hasn’t changed for the Patriots in years. Last year, they got rid of the arrogant Belichick, hired Mayo, and spent little in free agency. Their reasoning? They were in a rebuilding process and didn’t want Mayo to succeed too much with Vrabel waiting in the wings. They drafted Drake Maye, signed Jacoby Brissett, and attempted to draft wide receivers who ultimately didn’t pan out. Mayo wanted Maye to start the season, while Eliot Wolf and Alex Van Pelt favored Brissett. The offense and offensive line were disappointing, but eventually, Mayo got his wish and started Maye, only to be fired just minutes after the final game of the season.
Patriots Need To Add
Now, here we are again. Drake Maye is heading into a crucial second year with a real offensive coordinator in Josh McDaniels, while the Patriots have Vrabel, the coach they truly wanted. Like Mac Jones, Drake Maye needs weapons and a strong offensive line around him. Vrabel has brought Ryan Cowden to work alongside Eliot Wolf, while pushing Matt Groh to the sidelines, who should honestly be coaching at North Carolina by now. Although Eliot Wolf makes the decisions, it has been reported that Vrabel has the final say, not Cowden or Wolf.
The Patriots Have Trouble Picking Talent On Offense
The Patriots have struggled to draft a tackle or receiver effectively. They need to spend money on a receiver in free agency. With Higgins getting the franchise tag, perhaps Cooper Kupp or AJ Brown could be viable options. I am growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of action in free agency year after year. Although this year has different leadership, I’ll believe it when I see it.
If Vrabel wants to see another year as head coach, they need to add talent on offense. They cannot repeat what Belichick did in 2021, when they spent money on average talent. Out of those signings, they only got good performances from Judon, Hunter Henry, and Kendrick Bourne. Judon was traded last year, and they didn’t have anyone to fill that void. Maybe this year they can also improve the defense. Regardless, the most important thing is that Drake Maye must make a significant leap in his second year, whether he is learning a new offense or not.
Mayo Could’ve had McDaniels as the Patriots offensive coordinator
Remember last year when Mayo had to deal with comments about “spending cash”? Why didn’t they spend money last year? The answer was to build through the draft. That’s fine, but Polk and Baker were duds in their rookie seasons. They could have signed a veteran and a left tackle to ensure Brissett and Maye weren’t left vulnerable. They didn’t do this because they were committed to Mayo for one season, despite it going poorly, in order to eventually get the coach they really wanted in Vrabel.
Now, watch them spend in free agency this year, something they could have done last year but chose not to. Just like they could have brought Josh McDaniels back last year but didn’t. If they wanted him so badly, why not reinstate him under Mayo? Instead, they brought in Alex Van Pelt from the Browns, who had never called plays before. How was that supposed to help Mayo succeed? The Kraft’s just met a requirement and now will spend in free agency in a month at least Drake Maye will always have an offensive coordinator though.
