By Kalvin Tragethon

  Coming off an 8-9 season, Masco fans have more questions than answers about the future of the New England Patriots going into the long offseason.

  Before the start of the 2022-2023 season, the Patriots appeared to take a step in the right direction. In the 2021-2022 season, the Patriots finished with a 10-7 record with their rookie quarterback Mac Jones, and they were able to clinch a playoff berth as well. They finished second in their division, just one game behind the Buffalo Bills. However, that offseason offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels became the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and this proved to be a major setback for the New England offense in the 2022-2023 season. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick hired Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia as the offensive coordinator for the 2022-2023 season.

  Patricia brought a new offensive system that many of the players, including Jones, would have trouble understanding. The offense was seventeenth in points scored, a large dropoff from the prior year, when the Patriots were sixth. Patricia would struggle mightily in his first ever season coaching the offensive side of the football. 

  “The main problem is Patricia. He coaches football like an engineer,” said junior Paul Donnelly. “He tries to pick up 4 yards per play, which might work in theory, but it makes the job of the defense much easier. Instead of having to protect against the deep ball or the run, the defense only has to protect 10 yards at a time and blitz on third down. The job of the defense is much too easy.”

  Coinciding with the play calling struggles and the offensive line woes, the lack of talent on the roster this past season proved to be a hindrance to the Patriots. Despite the fact that the Patriots signed former 1,000 yard receiver Devonte Parker, their wide receivers ranked low in the league, with their highest rated receiver being fourth year receiver Jakobi Meyers who ranked as the 33rd best wide receiver in the league. According to Five-Thirty-Eight.com, Parker’s production didn’t even land him a spot in the top 100 receivers in the NFL.

  “The weapons on offense need to improve. There are some stars like Ramondre Stevenson, Hunter Henry, and Jakobi Meyers, but those names are not going to get you far when you are going up against high powered offenses like the Bengals or the Bills,” said math teacher Michael Kachinski.   

  It was reported that Belichik and Patriots owner Robert Kraft met with each other for an end of the season meeting, where the future of the team was discussed. 

  “I think if Belichick doesn’t make any coaching staff changes during this off season then I don’t see how anyone can support this team,” said junior Nathaniel Cantalupo.

   One day after the meeting between the two, the Patriots posted to their social media platforms, saying that they will “begin interviewing for an offensive coordinator.” This announcement comes after years of draft struggles as the Patriots have the lowest percentage of draft picks from the years 2019-2022 still on their roster, at only 57.9%. Belichick’s recent draft record has led to many upset fans who would like to see a change. 

  “I would like to see Belichick step out of the General Manager role and focus solely on coaching,” said Kachinski.

  Despite the shortcomings, fans are in agreement that Belichick should remain as head coach of the Patriots for as long as he wants. 

  “Bill is staying. No matter how bad the results may be, New England fans will trust Belichick,” said Donnelly.

  As the Patriots look to move forward this offseason, many changes and upgrades will happen to the roster, as the urgency from fans and personnel continues to grow. The Patriots have already removed Patricia from his position as offensive coordinator, but they will need to make many more changes in order to catch up to the teams around them in their division and conference alike.