FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (BVM) — It is safe to say that the New England Patriots are in ‘win-now’ mode. Following last year’s disappointing season in which they finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs, the six-time Super Bowl champions are undergoing a rebuild as they head into the 2021 season. The only question that remains is, what can we expect from the Patriots next season?  

There’s no doubt that the Patriots have gone through a lot over the past year. Their quarterback of 20 years and seven-time Super Bowl champion, Tom Brady, departed for Tampa Bay. After signing former league MVP and Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, key players opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team dealt with COVID cases during the season, most notably Newton, and their receivers weren’t very helpful as they ranked as the 30th best receiving unit heading into the 2020 season according to Pro Football Focus.  All of this resulted in the Patriots losing the division and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Long story short, it’s been a miserable past few months in Foxborough, Mass. 

With all this being said, the New England Patriots have been one of the most dominant and successful teams in the NFL over the past two decades. It is also important to mention that it is never wise to question the decisions of their head coach/general manager, Bill Belichick. Before free agency it appeared as if many NFL fans and pundits wrote off the Patriots, especially since they all witnessed Brady win the Super Bowl in his very first year with the Buccaneers. They would all soon come to learn that doing so was perhaps a monumental mistake. 

Inspired by Brady’s success in his very first year without him, Belichick conducted a complete retooling of his football team in free agency that shocked the whole league. He re-signed Newton to a one-year extension worth $14 million and his spending spree would not stop there. His other most notable free agent acquisitions include; Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon, Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor, offensive lineman Trent Brown, 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, and the top two free agent tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.  

Day in & day out. pic.twitter.com/JD7Obq5Cno

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 2, 2021

If free agency wasn’t enough, Belichick continued his team’s rebuild at the 2021 NFL Draft when he took Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick (the first QB drafted in the first round by the Patriots since Drew Bledsoe in 1993) and Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore who he took later with the 38th overall selection.

The unprecedented offseason by the Patriots led many to wonder how successful they could be in the upcoming season. During a segment on ESPN’s First Take, former NFL wide receiver/ESPN contributor, Keyshawn Johnson, expressed his belief that the Patriots could be the biggest threat in the AFC to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

“Nobody mentions the New England Patriots and I don’t know why,” Johnson said. “Why do you not mention the greatest modern day head coach? Mind you, went out in free agency, spent a boat load of money; something they’ve never done before to sure up certain positions.” 

Chipping away. pic.twitter.com/xJ1Ajmerrq

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 28, 2021

The overall consensus amongst NFL pundits is that the New England Patriots have gotten significantly better this offseason and they can be expected to make a lot of noise this season for a variety of factors. Newton will be healthier and will have another year to grasp the system with more training, they’ve drastically upgraded their receivers, they’ve revitalized their defense and offensive line, they still have a dangerous rushing attack, many of the COVID-19 opt-outs will be returning, and lets not forget; they still have the one of the greatest head coaches of all-time. 

It is also important to remember that given everything that they’ve been through last year they were only two games short of a winning season. With all things considered, it is reasonable to expect that the Patriots will make the playoffs and go on a deep run next season. 

The Patriots’ revenge tour kicks off on Sept. 12, 2021 when they open their season at home against the Miami Dolphins. Their most notable game of the season comes in Week 4 when they welcome their old friend and his defending Super Bowl champion team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.