As the Patriots prepare for Saturday’s game, a critical question looms over ownership: how much responsibility do they bear for this season’s failures? Historically, when teams falter, the blame often starts at the top. Since Tom Brady’s departure, the Patriots have posted losing records in three of the last four seasons, with Bill Belichick shouldering much of the criticism as both head coach and general manager. Many believed change was necessary.
Then came Saturday’s debacle.
The Los Angeles Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, utterly outclassed the Patriots, led by first-time head coach Jerod Mayo. The lopsided defeat felt like the kind that ends with sweeping changes.
While reports suggest offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt could become the scapegoat, pinning the blame solely on him seems unjust. He’s been tasked with managing an offense hampered by one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines and a lack of elite playmakers. However, after a 40-7 blowout loss, no one on the coaching staff should feel secure.
If Van Pelt is fired, defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington shouldn’t escape scrutiny either. Despite having more talent on defense than on offense, the Patriots have underperformed, allowing two 40-point games in a single season—a rarity under Belichick.
Mayo himself appears unprepared for his role, which isn’t surprising given his lack of experience as a defensive coordinator. His game management has been slow, his press conferences awkward, and his team inconsistent. But is it really Mayo’s fault he wasn’t ready for this responsibility?
Ultimately, the blame lies with ownership.
During Saturday’s game, frustrated fans at Gillette Stadium chanted “Fire Mayo!” three times, signaling the growing dissatisfaction with the team’s leadership. Yet focusing solely on Mayo ignores a larger issue: Robert and Jonathan Kraft’s role in fast-tracking his succession plan without conducting a thorough coaching search. This decision created tension with Belichick and set the stage for this disastrous season.
Had the Patriots opened the process to other candidates, it would have been intriguing to see how Mayo compared to names like Mike Vrabel or Ben Johnson. Would he have articulated a clear vision for the offense or identified a top-tier offensive coordinator? Instead, Mayo ended up with Alex Van Pelt, his 12th choice after multiple candidates turned him down.
The dysfunction extended to the coaching staff’s hiring process, with missed opportunities for key positions like special teams coordinator. These missteps foreshadowed the struggles that have plagued the Patriots all season, highlighting a lack of planning and preparation.
General manager Eliot Wolf also deserves criticism for his missteps in the draft and free agency. While drafting quarterback Drake Maye was a bright spot, poor second-round picks and failure to address the offensive line have left the Patriots in disarray.
With just one game left in the season, the future is uncertain. While firing Mayo, Van Pelt, and Covington might appease some fans, the deeper issue remains: ownership’s decisions have set the tone for this collapse. Whether it’s a complete overhaul or finding better support for Mayo, the path forward is murky.
As defensive end Keion White bluntly put it, “If changes aren’t made, then what are we doing? The NFL is a production-based business, and if we’re not changing our production, which is loss, what’s the point?”
For the once-dynastic Patriots, the fall from grace is undeniable. Now, the onus is on ownership to chart a new course and restore the franchise’s former glory.
