3 massive questions that are haunting the Patriots in the 2023 season
3 massive questions that are haunting the Patriots in the 2023 season
2. Is Bill Belichick truly on the hotseat?
Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick don't seem to be getting along too well, and these last three years of a lack of playoff success figures to be a driving force of their strained relationship. Does Kraft have the kahones to pull the plug on Belichick if the team endures another season of not making the postseason? Is that something we can truly see happen?
I personally think that if the Patriots do miss the playoffs this year, regardless of their record, Bill Belichick is gone. I think the clock is ticking here and the Pats might have one last chance with their current setup to make something happen. It would be a huge shock to no longer see Belichick on the sidelines, but I think it's a real possibility.
3. Did this team do enough in the offseason to contend in 2023?
There really is only one more move that can potentially have significant change for the better, and that would be signing DeAndre Hopkins. Nothing indicates that the Patriots are currently the favorites to do that, but they appear to be firmly in the running for his services.
The team brought in two players to help boost the offense in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki, who I'd classify as above-average players at their respective positions. Neither one is an elite target in the passing game, which worries me, as Mac Jones till may not have that "go-to" type of guy in the offense like most other QBs in the NFL have.
The offensive line is a huge question, too. Besides drafting three interior offensive linemen in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Patriots project to start Trent Brown and Riley Reiff at their two tackle spots. Will both be able to play well enough to keep Jones upright? Will BOB's offensive scheme help boost the OL play?
Between the coaching and roster additions, I think the New England Patriots did create a better team for themselves, but will it be enough?