New England Patriots fans can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the 2024 NFL season is in the books.
There were few positives to be found this season on either side of the ball as the Patriots finished with a losing record for the third consecutive season. Considering how the franchise hasn't suffered three sub-.500 seasons in a row since the early 1990s, it's safe to say that management has a lot of work to do in the offseason.
Although adding new players — via the draft and free agency — is a part of the offseason experience, so is saying goodbye to familiar faces.
After the season they just had, these six Patriots are on thin ice to begin the 2025 NFL offseason.
1. Kendrick Bourne, WR
Patriots fans were curious to see how Kendrick Bourne would perform this season after tearing his ACL in 2023. Even though the veteran wide receiver couldn't finish the previous campaign, that didn't stop New England from signing him to a three-year, $33 million extension in March.
Bourne made his season debut in Week 4, however, he's rarely looked like his old self since then. In 11 games with the Patriots before Week 18, the former Eastern Washington WR only mustered up 293 receiving yards and a touchdown on 26 catches.
For comparison, he racked up 37 receptions for 406 yards and four TDs in only eight outings during the 2023 campaign.
Slated to have his 29th birthday in August, Bourne is at the stage of his career where he might not improve anymore. If he can no longer be an effective contributor, the Patriots could seek to part ways this offseason. They can save $5.1 million by trading or waiving him before June 1, however, the savings increase to $6.5 million if they divorce after that date, per Spotrac.
Unless Bourne has a strong start to the offseason activities, he may have already played his final game in a Patriots jersey.
2. Jacoby Brissett, QB
The Patriots reunited with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett on a one-year contract last offseason. Even though the franchise eventually nabbed Drake Maye at the NFL draft, signing Brissett was a necessary contingency plan in case the rookie QB wasn't ready to hang with the pros yet.
Unfortunately, it didn't take long for the elder quarterback to be usurped by his successor.
Despite having plenty of NFL experience under his belt, Brissett has looked horrible under center this season. He's made five starts in eight appearances, going 95-of-161 (59.0%) in the pocket while throwing for 826 yards and two touchdowns to one interception.
Even though few people expected Brissett to light up the world in his return to the franchise, nobody expected him to be this bad. Fortunately, his contract is up this offseason and the Patriots can walk away from him without an issue. Free agency will offer more effective veteran QBs who can serve as Maye's backup.
As nice as it was to have Brissett back in a Patriots jersey, it's time to say goodbye.
3. Kyle Dugger, S
Ever since being drafted 37th overall in 2020, Kyle Dugger has been one of the NFL's most promising safeties. The ex-Lenoir-Rhyne product's performance in the secondary has been reliable more often than not, which played a role in his signing a $58 million contract extension ahead of the 2024 season.
But while some players step up after they've been paid, Dugger's play has been heading in the wrong direction this season.
The 28-year-old safety has been a defensive liability throughout the 2024 campaign. Opposing quarterbacks have had a field day when targeting Dugger, proven by his surrendering 378 yards, six touchdowns, and a 141.3 passer rating on 35 receptions ahead of Week 18.
That abysmal showcase is a big reason why Dugger was Pro Football Focus' worst-graded safety in terms of coverage (35.3) and third-worst at his position for overall defensive play (45.6) entering the season finale.
Cutting Dugger this offseason would result in a massive dead cap hit, however, a separation isn't impossible. The Patriots can save $11 million in cap space next season if they trade Dugger after June 1. Even if he hasn't played well this season, another team might be open to a deal based on his resume alone.
Dugger has been a fan favorite in New England for years. If he can't get back to what made him beloved in the first place, he could be out of town sooner rather than later.
4. Ja'Lynn Polk, WR
Even though rookies aren't always expected to be game-changers in Year 1, the Patriots expected more from Ja'Lynn Polk than what he displayed this season.
Expectations were high when New England selected Polk with the 2024 draft's 37th-overall selection. The promising playmaker had just amassed 2,231 receiving yards and 18 TD grabs across four collegiate seasons split between Texas Tech and Washington, leaving time to tell if he could reach similar heights at the NFL level.
More often than not, though, Polk has failed to make an on-field impact. Through his first 15 games, the 22-year-old WR had only hauled in 12-of-33 targets (36.4%) for 87 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. Even more embarrassing is that he failed to make a single catch on three targets between Weeks 13 and 17 despite playing 55 offensive snaps during that stretch.
Polk is still young enough to improve, but it's hard not to be disappointed by his debut season. Rarely did he ever look like a legitimate second-round selection, meaning he has a lot to prove to the Patriots staff if he wants to become an offensive focal point in 2025 and beyond.
5. Demontrey Jacobs, OT
Several members of New England's offensive line have played below expectations, especially tackle Demontrey Jacobs.
No matter who he's faced, Jacobs has provided with Patriots with inadequate blocking more often than not. Entering Week 18, the ex-South Florida blocker had surrendered 48 pressures on 529 passing downs, resulting in a pass block grade of 41.9 — second-worst among 79 eligible OTs this season.
Those aren't the type of numbers a team wants to see, especially when they're trying to develop a rookie QB like Maye.
Fortunately, the Patriots can walk away from Jacobs without any issues this offseason. He was only signed to a one-year contract and even though the team owns his exclusive rights free agent, the Pats might decide that tendering his qualifying offer isn't worth it.
Jacobs may go on to have a solid NFL career, however, it likely won't happen in New England. The Patriots only have room for blockers who can consistently protect whoever is under center, which the Gonzales, LA native has failed to do time and time again.
6. Sidy Sow, OL
A 2023 fourth-round pick, Sidy Sow was thrust into the spotlight during his rookie season with the Patriots. The former Eastern Michigan blocker made 13 starts in 15 appearances last season and while he wasn't always perfect, he looked like he had the tools to be a reliable blocker for years to come.
Fast forward to the 2024 season when Sow has mostly fallen out of the coaching staff's plans. Consistently underwhelming performances have landed the 26-year-old Canadian in a backup role, limiting him to 20% of offensive snaps before Week 18 compared to 85% in his rookie year.
It'd be one thing if Sow was making the most of his limited opportunities, but that hasn't been the case. He's played to 17.2 pass block and 44.9 run block grades while allowing nine pressures, making him one of the most frustrating Patriots to watch this season even if he's infrequently been on the field.
Even though two seasons are left on his rookie contract, Sow's future with the Patriots isn't safe. He's hardly making a ton of money and the Pats can get back $915,000 of his $1.2 million salary in 2025 if they part ways with him after June 1.
Addition by subtraction can work at times, so don't be shocked if the Patriots remove Sow from the equation this offseason.
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