Glaring Patriots Weakness Already Apparent During First Practices

The New England Patriots are looking to take major leaps this coming season after a horrible 2023 season that saw them win four games, leading to the end of the Bill Belichick era.

The Patriots struggled mightily on offense last season, averaging a league-worst 13.9 points per game (tied with the Carolina Panthers). New England’s offensive line also gave up 48 sacks last year, which isn’t great but not horrible, especially when you look at the Giants’ o-line (85 sacks allowed).

That said, new head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will be looking to turn things around for the Pats’ offense, but it will still be a work in progress.

Mayo and the rest of the coaching staff have received an early look at the Patriots’ offense at OTAs, and thus far the offense has struggled at various points.

Patriots.com senior reporter Evan Lazar reported on Tuesday that one of the consistent themes he’s seen at practices is how New England’s offense has struggled when it goes from 7-on-7 to 11-on-11.

Lazar pointed out that the Patriots' defense has had the edge over the offensive line, but adds the o-line is a work in progress.

If you are a fan, you aren’t excited to hear that the offensive line is struggling in OTAs. However, the good news is that it is OTAs and the Pats aren’t facing another team until later this summer in the preseason.

OTAs and mandatory minicamps are great opportunities for every team to work on the various issues that plagued them last season before the real action begins in the fall. As for the Patriots, they will have a ton to work on as they weren’t a great football team in 2023.

However, for them to have any shot of winning in 2024, New England needs their offensive line to protect whoever is under center at quarterback (Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett) and give them time in the pocket to make plays.

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