Despite the poor performance on the field, Robert Kraft‘s commitment to Jerod Mayo remains strong, as Mayo was handpicked to succeed Bill Belichick. Kraft, known for his pride and consistency, is unlikely to fire Mayo after including a succession clause in his contract and bypassing a coaching search last cycle. He clearly values Mayo highly.
In the likely scenario of a shake-up, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt could be the scapegoat, despite doing a solid job with limited talent. If the Krafts fire Van Pelt, it raises the question of who would step into the offensive coordinator role, as no one would want to join a staff led by a coach who saw his coordinator get blamed and could soon be on the hot seat.
As for Ja’Lynn Polk, a combination of factors seems to be at play. Although he showed promise during training camp, early-season drops and mental struggles have hindered his progress. With Polk lacking the physical traits of a first-rounder, his rookie season has been disappointing, but it’s still too early to label him a bust.
If the Patriots secure the No. 1 pick, the idea of a double trade down is risky but not impossible. History shows teams like the Dolphins have made similar moves, but finding willing trade partners is crucial, and the current front office may struggle with that.
Among possible future scenarios for the team, the most likely outcome seems to be that Mayo and Eliot Wolf return, possibly with new coaching staff. Another option is hiring a veteran head coach with the freedom to select their staff. The least likely option would involve a full reset, starting with a new GM.
Trading Rhamondre Stevenson seems unwise given his current low value. Despite his struggles this season, Stevenson is expected to improve next year, especially with a better offensive line.
As for the idea of Scott Pioli as GM with Mike Vrabel as head coach and Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, while Vrabel is appealing, Pioli and McDaniels are less attractive. Pioli has been out of the league since 2019, and McDaniels’ system might not be the right fit for developing quarterback Drake Maye.
Finally, with David Andrews injured and Cole Strange still developing, the Patriots should plan for the future by keeping an eye on center options, though Strange’s recent performances could allow the team to move forward with him alongside Andrews and Jake Andrews.
