"The hits on the New England Patriots' lackluster showing in the Super Bowl keep on coming. Like Rodney Dangerfield said, "(they) don't get no respect, no respect at all." Analyst after analyst, citing a tougher schedule and other reasons, are consigning the Patriots to the dustbin of the 2026 season. Bleacher Report thinks they are just 11th in the pecking order in trying to dethrone the Seahawks."
"If Vrabel is to dispel the negativity surrounding his team, he faces a daunting task in the 2026 offseason. The NFL's Coach of the Year, who had a claim on the Executive of the Year award, as well, must come close to duplicating what he did in the 2025 offseason. The 2025 Super Bowl team was both built and coached by Vrabel. He transformed a bottom-of-the-NFL 2024 roster into a Super Bowl team in one offseason. It was a masterpiece of personnel management."
New England Patriots' Super Bowl performance drew criticism and analysts project a steep drop, with Bleacher Report ranking them 11th to challenge the Seahawks. A tougher 2026 schedule and external skepticism fuel doubt despite the team's rapid rise from a 4-13 2024 record. Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye remain identified as the primary pillars of success. Vrabel must replicate the aggressive, successful 2025 offseason maneuvers to sustain momentum. The 2025 turnaround involved transformative personnel moves that converted a bottom-tier roster into a Super Bowl team. The Patriots remain an outside threat but face significant offseason challenges.
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