The Patriots' 2024 season was far from successful, and a significant factor contributing to that was a lack of leadership. Former head coach Jerod Mayo and his staff were questioned on numerous occasions, but the captains themselves may not have been the best choices either.
With the unexpected release of Jabrill Peppers last week, the final player who was named a captain last season was shown the door.
Mike Vrabel and company have completely wiped the slate clean, and it seems they are fully ready to pick a new group of captains. But who exactly will those players be, though?
Drake Maye looks a shoo-in to be a first time captain this season
Typically, a team features six captains, with at least two from each side of the ball. Offensively, the top two candidates seem rather obvious. Drake Maye is the cornerstone of the franchise, and given his high energy but respectful demeanor, he seems a shoo-in to be a captain.
Additionally, nine-year veteran tight end Hunter Henry is not only an experienced NFL player, but he's also had the C on his chest in the past. Last season, he had the honor with New England after David Andrews went down with an injury, and he also served as a captain during his time with the Chargers.
Defensively, Robert Spillane seems a top candidate. A Vrabel signing who will wear the green dot and play almost every down is the exact type of player you'd like to see be captain. If the newly highest-paid Patriot ever, Milton Williams, fits the bill, it would send a great message if he can fill the role.
While there's been plenty of talk about him this summer, Kyle Dugger is a sneaky option. He avoided being released and was favored over Peppers, meaning he's likely here to stay. When Peppers dealt with legal issues, Dugger stepped in as a captain.
The most obvious captain pairing with Spillane, though, seems to be Harold Landry, who was drafted by Vrabel out of BC in 2018 and followed him to New England. They clearly have a lot of admiration and respect for one another, and one would think the 29-year-old would be honored by Vrabel and his staff.
All in all, the Patriots should be able to form a group of captains to be very proud of. Offensively, I'd predict Drake Maye and Hunter Henry are the selections, while Harold Landry and Robert Spillane are the defensive pair.
Special teams ace Brenden Schooler likely nabs a spot, while the wildcard extra could go to just about anyone. Morgan Moses, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Dugger could all be potential candidates. Despite his off-field concerns, Stefon Diggs was a captain in Buffalo and a Vrabel signing. Maybe even he could slide into the sixth spot.
The Patriots kick off their season on Sunday, 9/7, against the Raiders, so this will be the week they make their decision on the matter.