Have the Patriots really regressed? Or is this a media smokescreen?

Ever since Tom Brady parted ways with the Patriots after 20 seasons, the big debate in New England has whether Brady needed future Hall of Fame head coach Bill Belichick, or whether Belichick needed the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

After the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV and the way things are looking in Foxborough, the argument may be made that Belichick needed Brady. 

But is it really fair to say that the Patriots have regressed, especially during this offseason?

Let’s dive in.

New era in Foxborough

We are entering year two of the Mac Jones era. The former Alabama star fell to the Patriots at pick 15 in the 2021 NFL Draft. In a quarterback room that at one point also housed Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, Jones finished 413 for 556 with 6,126 passing yards and 56 touchdowns; 4,500 of those yards and 41 of those touchdowns coming from when he was the starter in 2020.

This is following the Cam Newton plunder in New England that occurred during Jones’ senior season in college.

During Newton’s tenure, Newton logged a measly eight passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions while sporting a career low passer rating of 71. The Pats ended the 2020 season with a 7-9 record which not only caused them to miss the playoffs. But was the worst Patriots record since 2000.

Fast forward to 2021, we saw Belichick bring a rookie Mac Jones and the Patriots back to the postseason. After a shaky 2-4 start, the Pats rallied and finished the season 8-3 before losing to the Bills in the Wild Card round.

What’s happening for the Patriots

Fast forward again to today, and this is where the argument really kicks in over a potential regression in New England. Let’s start with the good.

Jones has made it clear that he wants to be the Patriots’ guy. During this offseason, he’s dedicated a bulk of his time in improving his diet and building chemistry with his teammates.

Prior to the beginning of training camp, Belichick had high praise about the progression he’d seen from his QB1.

Another bright spot in the Patriots offseason is the acquisition of ex-Dolphins first-round pick receiver DeVante Parker. When healthy, Parker is capable of producing WR1 numbers. On the 2019 Dolphins roster that went 5-11 with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, Parker saw career highs in receptions (72), yards (1202), and touchdowns (9), with 21 of his 72 receptions resulting in over 20 yards.

Now let’s look at the bad.

This offseason saw a few notable players leave to new squads. Through a three-day stretch in March, the Pats lost star cornerback J.C. Jackson walk to the Chargers, traded long-time starting guard Shaq Mason to the Buccaneers, and let promising young defensive end Chase Winovich move to the Browns. Following that spell, the Patriots have had a relatively quiet rest of the offseason.

The loss of Jackson is the move the Patriots will probably regret the most. Since entering the league in 2018, Jackson has tallied the most interceptions in the NFL with 25. Tack on his production in tackling, and his departure leaves a big hole in a Patriots secondary that’s now headed by Jalen Mills.

New England tried to fill that hole by bringing back Malcolm Butler, the hero of Super Bowl XLIX. But he quickly got side-lined for the season following a hip injury.

Following the Shaq Mason trade, the Pats went with left guard Cole Strange in the 2022 NFL Draft. While talented and expected to start immediately, Strange was considered across the league as more of a day two prospect who would hear his name closer to the end of the second round/beginning of the third.

Elsewhere, the departure of all-time great offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has left Belichick without a true play caller for Mac Jones and his offense. In their preseason opener, the responsibility was split between coaches Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. The Pats also haven’t had a true defensive coordinator since 2017, so the mystery of play calling could result in some confusion and frustration in New England.

What’s the verdict?

Are we truly looking at a regression in New England? Multiple reporters had things to say during training camp prior to preseason beginning.

Jim McBride from The Boston Globe noticed “miscommunications and frustration, with several players throwing their hands in the air and shaking their head after plays,” following 11-on-11 drills.

Additionally, NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry said, “It felt like every single completion today was a chore for the Patriots offense,” in a post-practice video.

ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss also had thoughts following a practice.

And now that preseason is underway, more members of the media are weighing in on the Pats’ offensive struggles in real-game situations.

It’s still early, and the media is undoubtedly notorious for putting a spin on just about anything. But from how the offense is looking so far in practice and preseason, the holes that remain on defense, and the mystery of roles within the coaching staff, if I’m a Patriots fan I’m crossing my fingers and repeating the following phrase in my head: In Bill we trust.