The offseason can’t come soon enough, so Patriots fans can put the 2023 season out of its misery.
While head coaching is at the forefront of many uncertainties, another looming decision is even more crucial to the franchise’s long-term future success.
Bear with me.
I feel pretty confident in saying that the majority of New England thinks it is time to move on from Bill Belichick. While I still see occasional diehard fans and national pundits trying their hardest to justify him sticking around, I see a lot more of those who are fed up with some of his team-crippling decisions since the departure of Tom Brady.
It may hurt to see Bill go – after all of the great things he’s done – but it’s important to remember that his day in the sun will come, just like Tom’s did.
Bill needs to go as soon as the clock hits triple zeros in Week 18 against the Jets. His successor, whether it’s Jerod Mayo or whomever, is of course, important.
But, the future of the general manager position is of more concern to me.
If Belichick goes, it’s imperative that Robert Kraft cleans house in the personnel department, too. Current Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh can’t simply take over as the team’s general manager carrying on Belichick’s philosophy.
The roster is currently bereft of talent. The philosophy of finding late-round draft gems and spending less money in free agency should be over. It worked when we had a legendary quarterback and other high-end players, but the league has changed.
I enjoyed the “Patriot Way” ideology way back when, but the team needs to prioritize elite talent over anything else. Now is not the time for the team to outsmart itself by drafting a, “You didn’t think we were going to draft him, did you?” pick.
I don’t want to see another Cole Strange situation, in which another team’s draft room becomes a chuckle hut because of who the Pats just selected.
This philosophical change cannot happen without bringing in someone from another organization with a fresh perspective. Ownership should look at someone from the teams that are consistently overflowing with young talent year-in and year-out.
Franchises like the Eagles, 49ers, Lions, and Chiefs are contenders because they have built young cores through both the draft and free agency.
Not to say those teams are perfect, but they aren’t afraid to admit when they’ve made a mistake, and swiftly correct it.
The Eagles missed on Jalen Reagor (now a Patriot, because of course he is), but weren’t going to back down from acquiring receiver talent. They drafted Devonta Smith in the first round (2021) and traded for A.J. Brown in 2022.
The Lions received major criticism for drafting running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round this year, but he and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta were both huge contributors in Detroit securing its first division title in three decades.
The Patriots are going to have a high draft pick this year. Wouldn’t you rather draft Marvin Harrison Jr. than trade it, and draft a special-teamer from a school no one’s ever heard of?
I would.
