NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The New England Patriots are right where they need to be. The rest of the seaosn is not about winning games or showing pride out on the field. The motto for the rest of the 2023-24 season should be to lose games and do so at an alarming rate.
This season is not about winning. This season is about putting yourself in a position to win for the future. If Mac Jones or even Bill Belichick is not the guy, then now is the time to evaluate both and decide from there. Following their loss against the New York Giants, the Patriots now have the 3rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This is what they need, right?
If the draft were to start tomorrow, the Patriots, without a doubt will have to decide what to do with their QB. Do they keep Mac Jones and let him grow and fire Belichick? Or, do they keep Belichick and let him groom another franchise QB?
The QBs coming out appear to be franchise players. Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and Drake Maye are all household names. This will be the 2nd year in a row top-tier QBs will take center stage. But can the Patriots luck up and snag the next CJ Stroud or will they stick with Jones and throw caution to the wind?
Will The New England Patriots Fire Bill Belichick
But QB is not their only concern. The Pats have holes throughout their roster. They still don’t have a true No. 1 receiver and their offense line is shabby at best. But for now, it’s about Jones and Belichick.
If you ask 100 people, 50 may tell you the blame falls on Jones and the other 50 may point the finger at Belichick. What does the organization do?
Do the New England Patriots continue to stick with the coach who helped bring them 17 Division titles, 9 Conference titles, and 6 Super Bowls? Or do they stick with the young man who has one playoff appearance to his name in 3 seasons? This is a difficult decision.
The New England Patriots could win this draft by default thanks to the other teams ahead of them at the moment. The Chicago Bears, due to a draft day trade with the Carolina Panthers will more than likely end up with the 1st pick.
If they believe Justin Fields is the guy going forward, they will look to snag WR Marvin Harrison Jr. The Arizona Cardinals have Kyler Murray who probably can’t be traded and that leaves the Patriots with their shot. They will have their choice of slingers.
While New England Patriots fans are not accustomed to consistent losing, a reset is needed. It could be the QB or the head coach but either way, one of them has to go. Whoever is left should reap the benefits of a terrible season thanks to the draft.
