The general feeling surrounding the New England Patriots over the last five years has not been a familiar one, as they reigned supreme at the top of the league for nearly two decades. It became almost impossible to think about a new NFL season, and the Patriots weren't winning their division or making the Super Bowl, but that hasn't been the case since Tom Brady left in 2020.
It's been quite an adjustment for the team and fans alike, making this year's optimism about an improved season much more exciting. Although most analysts believe they will be a better team than they have been in recent years, with some even suggesting they could be a lucky wildcard team for the playoffs, not many projections have them returning to their old ways of dominating the league.
However, a new wild prediction has the Patriots listed as a dark-horse contender to make the Super Bowl, which is an absolute dream scenario for fans who have been patient during their abysmal rebuild.
The Patriots might have made enough changes to the team to see the ultimate success right away
While discussing some of the more under-the-radar Super Bowl contenders, NFL Spinzone's Lou Scataglia lists the Patriots as one team that could shock everyone, mainly due to the return of Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator and Drake Maye already looking like a franchise quarterback during his rookie season.
He notes that it would take a lot of things falling into place for it even to be a possibility, but Scataglia believes they have made enough moves to set up a far more successful season than anyone has anticipated.
"With a proven head coach and a Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator in Josh McDaniels, the New England Patriots are at least gearing up to finish with a winning record. They made key investments along the offensive line and already had a pretty talented defense. Drake Maye would have to play like a borderline-MVP candidate in 2025, but the Pats really aren't missing much to make a deep playoff run."
Considering that many analysts don't even expect the Patriots to win double-digit games after back-to-back seasons with a 4-13 record, it's almost unfathomable that anyone would suggest they could make it to the Super Bowl.
However, with Mike Vrabel succeeding Jerod Mayo as New England's head coach, the impressive coaching staff he has hired around him, and the numerous top-tier additions they have made to the roster, it seems like a 2025 run isn't as out of the question as it has been in years past.
It might be a bit presumptuous and raise fans' hopes, but it doesn't feel entirely out of the realm of possibilities, even if it is a little more hopeful than anything.
Regardless, even if the Patriots don't come close to accomplishing such a feat this fall, it shows that they've made a lasting impression on the rest of the league based on how they've conducted their offseason. It's certainly put them on the map in the eyes of those who cover the NFL, and that's not something they have managed to do for far too long, which should be exciting enough for anyone in New England.