5 Patriots Making it Easy for New England to Say Goodbye in 2025

As the New England Patriots regroup on their bye week, Patriots fans might take solace in the fact that no Week 14 game means no Week 14 loss for New England. As the dynasty has collapsed, the Patriots have lost 23 of their last 30 games over the past two seasons and have struggled to a 3-10 record in 2024.

The Patriots hold the fourth-worst winning percentage in the NFL and hold the unfortunate distinction as one of only four teams that have already been eliminated from playoff contention. Now, the only real lingering implication of New England's season is to see if the 2024 Patriots can surpass the 2023 Patriots' win total of four. Obviously, fans will also be tuned into New England's draft position. As things stand prior to Week 14, the Patriots hold the fourth overall pick.

After back-to-back dismal seasons, New England will surely be unsatisfied with the roster as currently constructed. Of note, the Patriots are currently slated to have the most cap space for the 2025 season, with over $139 million at their disposal. That large amount of financial flexibility could result in significant roster turnover during this upcoming offseason.

On a 3-10 team, job security should be incredibly limited. If Eliot Wolf retains his position as New England's top player personnel executive, he will have his work cut out for him. With a dire need for roster turnover and an injection of new talent across the roster, here are five players making it easy for New England to say goodbye in 2025.

5. Vederian Lowe

Vederian Lowe has unexpectedly wound up as New England's starting 2024 left tackle. Offseason signing Chukwuma Okorafor entered the season as the team's starting left tackle – a role that lasted a grand total of 12 offensive snaps in Week 1 before he was supplanted by Lowe at left tackle.

Following New England's Week 1 upset win, Okorafor was placed on the exempt/left squad list to ponder his future in football. Okorafor has since been placed on the reserve/left squad list, making him ineligible to return this season.

Lowe, a 2022 sixth-round pick, is in his second season with the Patriots. Lowe did not start a single game in his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings but started eight games last season for New England. The Illinois product has started nine of 12 games since taking over for Okorafor early in Week 1 – missing three games due to injury. The Patriots offensive line has struggled immensely and has been ranked as the worst in the league. Being the left tackle on a league-worst o-line is not an enviable recognition.

Lowe has also stalled several drives with unfortunately timed penalties, which he attributed to a lack of focus:

"It’s not being mentally focused enough. It’s an easy fix. Like I said, it’s not nothing that, you know, the defense is doing. It’s not nothing the coaches - it’s not a scheme thing. It’s not, you know, ref - it’s nobody else, you know, but yourself. I would say it’s definitely lack of focus."

- Vederian Lowe

One (unfortunately true) fact that swings in his favor, Lowe is tied for third on the team in receiving touchdowns.

In Pro Football Network's latest mock draft, the Patriots select tackle Kelvin Banks, Jr. from Texas with the fourth overall pick. LSU tackle Will Campbell has also been linked to New England. The Patriots front office should have the offensive tackle position at the top of their offseason wish list. With that being said, Lowe could likely be forced out of the team's 2025 plans.