The New England Patriots had been overmatched in Tremendous Bowl LX, dropping to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 on Sunday evening in Santa Clara, Calif.
After the sting subsides and the New England fan base has had time to lick its wounds, these followers will flip the web page and start fascinated about subsequent season. Once they do, they’ll ponder the next query: Can the Patriots return to the Tremendous Bowl subsequent 12 months?
Regardless of how issues unfolded Sunday, the reply is an unequivocal “sure.”
New England’s degree of success this season was surprising — the Patriots had been 4-13 in 2023 and 2024 — and it’s definitely cheap to anticipate the staff to take one other step ahead subsequent 12 months.
New England will lose some gamers to free company, however none who you’ll name “core” contributors. Edge rusher Okay’Lavon Chaisson, an unrestricted free agent, could also be one of the best of the bunch.
What Vrabel mentioned after Patriots loss
“Upset,” first-year New England head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned following Sunday’s loss.
“I reminded them that we’re 307 days into what hopefully is an extended, profitable relationship and program. It’s OK to be dissatisfied and upset collectively. … Yearly, any person’s going to lose this recreation. We’ve to recollect what it appears like and ensure it’s not repeatable.”
The quarterback/coach combo is in place with Drake Maye and Vrabel, and the protection has cornerstone items with cornerback Christian Gonzalez, 23, and deal with Milton Williams, 26, each of whom are of their prime.
After all, to make one other prolonged playoff run, Maye should carry out like he did within the common season — not the postseason. Maye was sacked 21 instances and had 4 passes intercepted in 4 playoff video games.
“You’re going to have instances like this and it’s the way you bounce again,” Maye mentioned. “All these guys within the locker room are going to make use of this as gasoline and I’d go to struggle with these guys any time, any day, anyplace. It’s motivation to get again right here and never have this sense and have what they’re feeling on the market. … Can’t wait to get again and play in one other one.”
Vrabel mentioned the numerous leap the Patriots made this season received’t be very beneficial if the group can’t discover methods to enhance the staff within the offseason.
The New England fan base can even take solace in the truth that the staff’s entrance workplace earned excessive marks in each free company and the draft final season.
Sunday’s consequence definitely highlighted New England’s shortcomings and can undoubtedly affect what staff administration does to assist the roster.
Even with a low draft place, the Patriots ought to be capable of bolster their offensive line and add a much-needed playmaker to their offense. These two areas are arguably the place the staff wants essentially the most upgrading.
The schedule can be harder subsequent season, however the Patriots play within the weaker of the 2 conferences. Two of the highest groups within the AFC — Buffalo and Baltimore — will every have a first-year head coach subsequent season, and the AFC East is definitely manageable. It at all times helps to play the New York Jets twice a 12 months.
DraftKings lists New England at +1200 to achieve subsequent 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl, behind Seattle (+950), the Los Angeles Rams (+950), and Buffalo (+1000).
It shouldn’t shock anyone if the Patriots get there.
