Good teams and great teams are built in the offseason. If you have a skilled evaluator of personnel and a solid scouting staff, you can do wonders even in one off-season's effort. That is, if you have a quarterback. Witness the 2024 Washington Commanders as the most recent example.
The New England Patriots finally hired a seasoned NFL personnel evaluator and decision-maker, who also doubles as their Head Coach. He's one of the best in the business. It's Mike Vrabel, and his work is getting rave reviews from all over the NFL world, and it's no surprise at all.
Vrabel is a seasoned pro, both as a personnel evaluator and Head Coach, schooled in his trade by six years at the helm of an NFL franchise. He's had the accolades and high points, and suffered the scars and lowest points that all shaped that experience. The result of all that is bringing startling predictions that the Patriots will completely turn the team's fortunes upside down.
ESPN's predictions for the Patriots 2025 season are an indicator of a massive turnaround
ESPN has opined on the likely fortunes of NFL teams in 2025, and their attribution for the Patriots is nothing less than eye-opening. Here's what the renowned sports operation has to say about the Patriots and their prospects for 2025 as indicated in wagering to date,
"The New England Patriots, who were the only team to be underdogs in each of their regular-season games last year, are favored in 11 of their 17 games this season -- despite a win total of 8.5.
The Patriots over 8.5 wins is the most popular win-total wager at ESPN BET since the release of the schedule. The Saints under 5.5 wins is the second-most popular bet."
That the Patriots are projected to win 8.5 games or more represents a dramatic turnaround from their poor performance in 2024. What a difference a year makes! In comes Mike Vrabel, and everything changes. The 2023 and 2024 teams combined for a record of 7-27. That was "good enough to land them in last place in the AFC East both years. Now all that has changed. And ESPN may be underestimating by how much.
The 2025 Patriots are playoff-contenders
By the time the season begins, the Patriots' roster will have undergone a dramatic overhaul. Expect about half of the 2024 roster to be playing elsewhere in 2025. They weren't good enough or didn't meet the requirements to play on a Mike Vrabel team. That's especially noticeable with the antiquated 2024 defense, where massive changes have already been made and more are on the way.
Vrabel has remodeled his defense and added playmakers to every level of the D. On the defensive line, there are significant additions and subtractions (three DLs have already gone). At linebacker, expect at least three deletions from 2024. In the defensive backfield, there has already been one major deletion, and more are likely to follow. This is no longer Bill Belichick's Patriots defense.
One prominent Boston pundit, Greg Bedard has even predicted a Patriots 11-6 season. Bedard is an astute evaluator of the Patriots scene. He's a top analyst, and his training camp observations are among the best.
The Patriots' floor will be a 9-8 season and competing for a playoff spot. A 10-7 season and a Wild Card berth are also in range. For their ceiling, the Patriots may compete with the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East title, boasting a 12-5 record. Buffalo is in for a shock.
The 2024 Patriots had a depleted offensive line, limited receivers and offensive playmakers, and a slow, underperforming defense that struggled to make plays to get off the field. All that has changed, and Vrabel has a terrific young quarterback in Drake Maye.
Maye had a solid 2024 season, with little accompaniment. He's a winner, and he's no longer a rookie. He also has an experienced coach and personnel evaluator, who has moved quickly to create an offensive line and add more explosive players on offense. That, plus a revamped defense, adds up to this: challenging Buffalo for the AFC East title. Pay close attention, AFC East: the Patriots are back.