The Pathetic State of the 2024 New England Patriots
There was a time, not too long ago, when it would have seemed overly dramatic to suggest that the 2024 New England Patriots were on a path towards a dismal 1-16 season. But now? Following their 32-16 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, and after Patriots coach Jerod Mayo’s startling admission that “we’re a soft football team across the board,” the real question has shifted: How could they not finish at 1-16?
Both the Patriots and Jaguars entered this matchup with identical 1-5 records, making it a so-called “winnable” game for both squads. However, it was only the Jaguars who seemed to fully understand the significance of that term. The Jaguars dominated the ground game with such ease that by the end of the match, they had outgained the feeble (as noted by Jerod Mayo) Patriots in rushing yards, 171 to a mere 38.
GO DEEPER: Patriots’ Jerod Mayo calls team ‘soft,’ seems out of answers as losing streak continues.
The Patriots displayed their typical repertoire of confusing penalties. Meanwhile, Jaguars’ Parker Washington electrified the crowd with a 96-yard punt return, dramatically falling backward into the end zone for a touchdown, leaving no trace of a New England player on his jersey.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye started strong, connecting with JaMycal Hasty for a 16-yard touchdown on the opening drive, giving New England a brief 7-0 lead. He finished the game with an impressive 26 completions on 37 attempts for 276 yards and two touchdowns. However, it would be a stretch to label him a standout in a losing effort. At least the Patriots can claim they don’t have a “quarterback problem.” What they do have is a significant “everything else problem.”
Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on the 1-15 Patriots from 1990. Statistically speaking, they still hold the title for the Worst Patriots Team in History. If the 2024 Patriots were to continue losing and end up with a record of 1-16, they would indeed surpass that 1990 squad in defeat, with one additional loss to their name.
However, context is essential here. The 1990 Patriots were not undergoing a rebuild; they were facing a complete teardown. They lacked a promising quarterback (no offense to Tommy Hodson) and star players. Their head coach, the late Rod Rust, was a well-meaning but ultimately ineffective 62-year-old assistant who served merely as a stopgap. The locker room unravelled, primarily due to a distressing sexual harassment incident involving a female sportswriter, and Rust was unable to restore order.
Despite the famous Bill Parcells adage that “you are what your record says you are,” we must confront some uncomfortable truths about the 2024 Patriots. Here’s the harshest of them all: regardless of record, this team is likely to be remembered as the weakest iteration of the Patriots since the NFL/AFL merger, even worse than the 1990 squad.
Whether New England finishes with a record of 1-16, 2-15, or 3-14, or even if they somehow match the 4-13 record of 2023, which resulted in the certain firing of future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick by the potentially Hall of Fame owner Robert Kraft, this season will undoubtedly be viewed as rock bottom.
I can hear some of the seasoned fans saying: Nothing can surpass the 1990 Patriots for sheer ineptitude. You experienced it firsthand, and yes, the statistics are there in your super-fan arsenal. The reality is, however, that no one cared about the 1990 Patriots. They drew paltry crowds, such as 26,280 fans for a 34-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and only 22,286 for a 25-10 defeat to Washington. The stadium was packed for the season finale, but that was primarily due to the presence of the New York Giants, whose fans bought up every ticket, turning the drive home into a 207-mile pre-Super Bowl celebration after their 13-10 victory.
This year, expectations were low for the 2024 Patriots, but many anticipated a rejuvenated energy. Fans hoped that new head coach Mayo, a former player, would transform the vibe, attitude, and atmosphere around Gillette Stadium. The 2024 Patriots were meant to be the team that fights for every yard, that takes risks, and that embraces the underdog mentality to secure victories.
Given that Kraft had earmarked Mayo as the coach-in-waiting several years ago, there was considerable optimism surrounding the move. Perhaps Kraft had “seen something” in Mayo, just as he did when he orchestrated the 2000 deal to bring Belichick from the New York Jets to New England. That move was met with skepticism, especially in New York. Could Kraft be right yet again?
That possibility still exists. It’s crucial to remember that a rebuild takes time, and things can change. The Patriots are currently missing key players like defensive tackle Christian Barmore (blood clots), linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (torn pec), and safety Jabrill Peppers (domestic violence allegations) for those who want to highlight those absences. However, as the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg likely said long ago, injuries are part of the game. But injuries shouldn’t lead to an overall “soft” mentality, which has now been officially declared in the playbook of Coach Mayo.
It’s unsettling when a coach openly acknowledges that weakness.
What’s even more troubling is when the players seem to agree with him.
“He said it well,” veteran linebacker Jahlani Tavai acknowledged. “We need to look in the mirror and understand what he’s saying. We have to ask ourselves if we are okay being soft. Some will fall away, but those of us who want to prove that wrong will step up and ensure this doesn’t continue.”
On the 2024 Patriots, that’s an encouraging perspective, but can they deliver?
Scoop City Newsletter
Free, daily NFL updates sent directly to your inbox. Sign up now!
(Photo of Parker Washington on his way to a touchdown: Richard Heathcote / Getty Images)