The New England Patriots’ worst season in nearly a quarter-century continues to deteriorate. But are you so dissatisfied and desperate that trainer Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft will raise the white flag in 2023 and hold an industry deadline sell-off in hopes of improving in 2024 and beyond?
Instead of their bleak state (the last time they went 2-6 in 2000), the Patriots can simply be “sellers” at Tuesday’s NFL industry deadline. For what?
*After Sunday’s 14-point loss at Miami, they have the worst record in the AFC. In the NFL as a whole, the Carolina Panthers (1-6) and Arizona Cardinals (1-7) have fewer wins.
*At the time of the Super Bowl, 3 of the 191 starting teams 2-6 recovered to qualify for the playoffs (2022 Jaguars, 2020 Commanders and 1970 Bengals).
Bill Belichick is having his worst season with the Patriots since 2000.
*An injury-plagued season continued Sunday with No. 1 receiver Kendrick Bourne suffering a season-ending ACL tear. This is in addition to past losses to leading point guard Matthew Judon (biceps) and rookie star cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder).
Belichick stands out for his singular approach, week in and week out, but “we keep going. . . “it doesn’t have the same effect when the restless Pats host Washington 3-5 next Sunday before traveling to Frankfurt, Germany. the Colts 3-5. Es hard to believe, but the six-time Patriots are about to become completely irrelevant.
“Like me and a lot of guys on this team, we’re in uncharted territory,” said special groups captain Matthew Slater, who won three Super Bowls and played for 12 groups in the New England playoffs. “If you need to play this game, you have to dedicate yourself to it, regardless of your history. We’re going to find out a lot about who we are. “
With this year all but ruined, New England can already begin repairing next season.
The Patriots are ranked fifth in the NFL Draft in April lately and have valuable resources if any other team that helps them in the playoffs makes it to Tuesday’s deadline.
Linebacker Josh Uche is attracting a lot of interest. Tight end Hunter Henry, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, guard Adrian Phillips and offensive lineman Michael Onwenu are also potential industry candidates.