The 2024 New England Patriots season was a disappointing one, to say the least. Their 4-13 record, which mirrored the previous year, put them in last place in the AFC East for the second year in a row. 2024 was a transition year for the franchise, coming into the season in a rebuilding stage with the roster under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. 

Mayo entered the job with no prior head coaching experience but had spent time within the franchise as a former player and had been a positional coach within the defense for multiple years. Mayo excited fans with a promising new defensive scheme, but the young coach had very big shoes to fill, replacing longtime legendary coach Bill Belichick. Mayo’s lack of coaching experience was seen throughout the season with multiple costly blunders.

Ownership decided to part with Mayo after the finale of the regular season, instead opting to sign another former player in Mike Vrabel, a seasoned coach with past success who brings a bright future to New England. One of the only bright spots amidst the frustrating season was rookie quarterback Drake Maye. The first-round pick did not disappoint after taking the reins mid-season, showcasing flashes of brilliance and leaving fans excited to see his potential in the coming years. 

Looking ahead, the Patriots currently own one of the top picks in the 2025 draft, with a mix of emotions from fans, as a meaningless win in their final game removed the team from the number one overall pick down to the number four. There will still be plenty of talent at that spot, but at the moment there is no consensus player in mind, with there being a multitude of holes amidst the roster. The team also holds plenty of cap space for the offseason and could be the suitors for multiple top free agents on the market.