Going into the offseason, the Patriots needed a completely revamped roster from top to bottom, as none of the three groups stood out in a positive manner during the 2024 season. There was inevitably a focus on the offense and the defense, but special teams needed a makeover, too, and based on what we've seen so far, they are clearly the best unit of this year's roster.
A lot of that, if not all of it, can be placed on the shoulders of special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer, who Mike Vrabel chose to keep on staff from last year. He spent the 2024 season with Jerod Mayo's regime and is the only coach remaining from an otherwise forgettable year.
It was already apparent that he was making a positive impact on the third unit that Bill Belichick made famous during the Patriots dynasty, and that continues to be shown during the preseason over the last two weeks.
Marcus Jones kicked things off with an impressive return at the start of the game against the Vikings, maintaining his dominance as a returner that fans have grown to appreciate over the last few seasons.
.@MarcusJonesocho ⏩
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 16, 2025
📺: WBZ pic.twitter.com/6WHY9dfoUj
Fortunately, that wasn't where the standout play on special teams ended.
Jeremy Springer might be the most underappreciated coach on the Patriots' staff this season
To end the first half of this week's game, wide receiver Jeremiah Webb got the opportunity to show what he could do as a returner, and he accomplished that with ease by running it back 60 yards, in what almost looked like it could have been a return touchdown for most of the play.
That was a 60-yard kickoff return for Jeremiah Webb. Jeremy Springer's special teams units have been very good this preseason
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 16, 2025
Considering how bad New England's special teams had become in the last years of Belichick's tenure, it's impressive to see the impact that Springer has already had in just a year.
They already look like the one unit on the team that doesn't prompt any concerns about how they'll perform once the regular season begins, and they could be the most explosive and consistent part of the entire team. That's exactly the kind of improvement they needed, and they're well on their way to solidifying themselves at the top of the league because of it.
It's one less thing to be concerned about over the final weeks of training camp and the preseason, especially since other parts of the roster are not nearly at a level that makes analysts or fans feel comfortable with at this point.