The Patriots’ era post-Bill Belichick didn’t start too great.
The team hired Jerod Mayo to replace the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach with high aspirations, but ended the season 4-13.
New England decided to go with a new coach going forward and brought in former Coach of the Year winner, Mike Vrabel.
Pro Football Talk host Mike Florio said during his PFT PM Mailbag that he predicts the Patriots to return to he playoffs.
“I think the Patriots are going to pretty good this year. I think Mike Vrabel is going to come in and change the culture the right way,” Florio said. “I think they’ve gotten some players that are going to make a difference. The key is the coach and Vrabel understands how to put a team together.”
“I think the Patriots can make the playoffs… Not saying they’re gonna run it all the way to the Super Bowl, but they can upset a team or two if they get to the postseason.”
The last time New England made the playoffs was the 2021-22 season under Belichick.
Additions to the Patriots
The New England Patriots completely revamped their roster ahead of next season.
To protect quarterback Drake Maye, the team drafted tackle Will Campbell and signed right tackle Morgan Moses to a three-year deal.
The team brought in playmakers for Maye to target on the field, including signing four-time Pro-Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs, drafting WR Kyle Williams, and RB Treveyon Henderson in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Patriots went all out on the D during free agency and have an almost completely new defense.
To disrupt opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks, the Patriots signed Milton Williams and Harold Landry.
New England brought in cornerback Carlton Davis to play opposite All-Pro Christian Gonzalez. And signing linebacker Robert Spillane, who was tied for the third-most tackles in the league last season.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox gave the team an A+ overall offseason grade after all the acquisitions.
“New England has its quarterback, and it has given him a supporting cast that is significantly better than it was in the early spring. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots make a push for the playoffs in 2025,” Knox wrote for B/R.
Mike Florio Believes the Patriots Are Disrespected
On the show, Mike Florio said that the Patriots are being “overlooked and disrespected” and still have some connectivity ties to the Belichick era.
Florio believes the Patriots are a team that can “take your lunch money” in the postseason.
Pro Football Focus ranked New England as the 26th-best team entering the 2025-26 season.
If the Patriots can carry the overlooked mentality into next season, they can prove doubters wrong.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Vrabel has the best odds to win Coach of the Year, the second time in his career, showing bettors had faith in New England.
