New England Patriots: Looking ahead to the 2023 offseason
The New England Patriots 2023 season is in the distance (well, maybe not that distant), and they are still playing for a 2022 playoff spot. But, assuming the Pats are not a contender for the AFC or even the AFC East title, let’s suggest what needs to be done to fix this rather mediocre team.
Though premature, does anyone in Patriot Nation actually think even if they do make the playoffs that they can advance into any meaningful round? Didn’t think so.
Assuming that either they don’t make the playoffs or get bounced early by a top team as they did last season by Buffalo, what should be the agenda in the 2023 offseason to make the Patriots once again, a pretender if not an actual contender for the AFC East title and more?
Since you can never begin to prepare too early and the deficiencies of the current squad are blatantly obvious, let’s suggest what the Pats should do in the offseason to get better.
New England Patriots major actions on offense
As a self-admitted off-season Patriot sports junkie, speculating about next season is always current. What they do in the months after their season ends through July will determine what they are in the upcoming season. It’s always a blast to speculate about that and suggest what they should concentrate on.
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On offense, the first major decision that has to be sorted out is the quarterback situation. He’s the most important single player on the team. If he’s not up to par, you won’t be either.
Mac Jones, the former first-round pick is the incumbent. In his rookie season, he made the Pro Bowl (wink, wink). It wasn’t really deserved but he made it. It is what it was.
In year two, however, he has significantly regressed. He’s had a lousy second season. Now, it’s both fashionable and really quite accurate to assume the incompetence of the Bill Belichick-appointed offensive coaching staff has been a major contributor to this regression. It has.
Matt Patricia, the de facto offensive coordinator, has little offensive coaching experience, especially as a coordinator, and it’s obvious. Their offense is embarrassingly basic and terrible. They can’t score touchdowns and Jones has been a shadow of his former self in this new, dumbed-down offense.
The answer suggested here is, first, if you can entice old TB12 to come back home just do it. It would be fantastic. Assuming that’s not going to happen, then go all out to sign free agent Lamar Jackson, assuming he’s actually available, and cast off the ineffective flotsam and jetsom on the roster taking up big cap bucks, and show him the money. Then trade Jones.
Additionally, the Patriots need better wide receivers. Nelson Agholor has been a total bust. This season, Kendrick Bourne has been as well. DeVante Parker has been hurt. Their best, Jakobi Meyers is a free agent this offseason. It looks like they won’t re-sign him for whatever reason they’ll determine.
The whole group needs an overhaul. Draft two or three lower in the draft but the main avenue for acquisition should be free agents who can actually play.
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The top draft pick for this team, as it should have been this season (they took a guard), has to be an offensive left tackle. Then take another in the mid-rounds, as well. A couple of picks in the mid-to-late rounds should also be used on tight ends. Now, on to the defense.
The New England Patriots defense is excellent and doesn’t too need much tinkering
The Pats’ defense has been their strength this season. It was unexpected in this space. Matt Judon is free of Covid. He’s been outstanding and the emergence of Josh Uche, a former second-round pick is a revelation. If he continues his upward trend, the sky’s the limit for the outside pass rush.
The defensive line, however, needs help. Christian Barmore is their best. He should play on the nose. He doesn’t very much. Dietrich Wise Jr. is a solid outside player. Other than those two and possibly Daniel Ekuale, who flashes from time to time, there’s not much there at all.
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The team has to use a top-three pick (maybe their second?) on a big defensive tackle who can actually make some plays. Then take another DT in the mid-rounds for competition. Defensive tackle is the D’s Job 1.
The defense other than that is solid. After selecting the needs upfront, just sign free agents or draft the best players available, but only after you’ve totally augmented the offense.
That’s the suggested plan. The 2022 New England Patriots are what they are, mediocre. And their offense is worse. What do you think they need to do to get back in the race? We’d like to hear.