The New England Patriots, the NFL’s former dynasty and most feared team, have plunged into reality over the last couple of seasons, and so far this year, things are looking bleak for them.
They’re 1-4 on the year after getting blanked, 34-0, by the New Orleans Saints just one week after suffering a 38-3 rout at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys, and their chances of making the playoffs are slim to none.
Quarterback Mac Jones has struggled and has been momentarily benched as a result, and he has had little support in the passing game from his skill players.
Per NBC Sports Boston, Patriots insider Tom E. Curran says the team should’ve never parted ways with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
🗣️ @tomecurran: The Patriots made a massive mistake letting Jakobi Meyers go pic.twitter.com/zIOB0au6N3
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) October 10, 2023
Meyers joined the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency in March, and last season, he recorded 804 receiving yards and six touchdowns for New England.
So far this season, Kendrick Bourne is the team’s leading receiver with just 218 yards, while JuJu Smith-Schuster, who had a strong 2022 season with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, has managed only 86 yards and no touchdowns in five games.
As a result, the Patriots are 26th in total yards and last in points scored.
After head coach Bill Belichick was considered the best in the business for many years, there are now whispers that his job may be in jeopardy, or that, at the very least, he may not be quite the savant he has always been portrayed as.
It could be years before the Patriots return to the upper echelon of the NFL.
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