How many games would the 2023 New England Patriots win with Tom Brady?

This is a fun scenario to think up. If the best player in franchise history was still on the team for the 2023 season, how many games would the New England Patriots win? Brady has been on some shaky Patriots' rosters on offense if we're being honest. What about the 2023 roster? How would the team do if Tom Brady decided to come out of retirement and sign with the Patriots?

Well, one thing I will say is that I'd have no doubts that he could still play. He really didn't show any sort of drop-off in play when he left the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so let's just get that out of the way now. The biggest thing I'd be looking at is Brady's work with Bill O'Brien back in the 2011 season. In fact, the offensive numbers from 2011 were astounding. The team had the third-best scoring offense in the NFL, averaging 32.1 points per game.

Tom Brady was stellar that year as well. He went 13-3 as a starter, and completed 65.6% of his passes for 5,235 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The team had two 1,000 yard receivers in Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski. They nearly had a third in Aaron Hernandez. Deion Branch had 702 yards as well.

On the ground, BenJarvus Green-Ellis led the team with 667 yards and 11 touchdowns. Stevan Ridley had 441 yards, and Danny Woodhead had 351. It's clear that the 2011 Patriots wanted to throw the ball that year, and they certainly did. Well, would the 2011 Patriots and 2023 Patriots have similar enough personnel to run the same type of offense?

I'd say no. The 2023 version certainly does not have the pedigree of pass catchers that 2011 did, and the 2023 Patriots have better bodies at running back than 2011 did. With Brady being well into his 40s at this point, I could most definitely see Rhamondre Stevenson being the focal point of the offense, as he should be in 2023. Brady would likely take on the type of role that Drew Brees did from 2017-2020 with the New Orleans Saints.

He'd likely act as a very high-end game manager and would have a good bit of pressure taken off of him with a strong rushing game. A massive question to try to answer would be how much damage the Patriots could do in the AFC East. All of the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets have solid arguments for winning the division, and it seems to be a near objective truth that the Patriots are a clear fourth place.

With Brady on the team, though, does that change? Honestly, I'd be willing to put the Patriots over the Bills. I think Buffalo's coaching is a bit shaky and I am lower on Josh Allen than most. In all honesty, the Miami Dolphins might give the Pats the most trouble. I mean, the Pats did have a ton of issues playing in Miami for years. The New York Jets would also be in a very similar situation as the Pats.

Both teams would have aging but very skilled quarterbacks that they may have to try to win with instead of win because of. Obviously, Tom Brady returning to the New England Patriots for the 2023 season has about a 0.0001% chance of happening, but it's still fun to think about.