There has been a lot of hype around the New England Patriots this offseason. With quarterback Drake Maye entering his second year in the league, after finishing a promising rookie season in 2024, and a new regime in New England, the offseason has had a lot of positivity.
However, on Julian Edleman and Rob Gronkowski's podcast, "Dudes on Dudes," they asked former Patriots' linebacker Rob Ninkovich a bold question.
The former Patriots' receiving duo asked Ninkovich if he believed the Patriots would win over or under 11 games.
"11 wins? They just had four wins," Ninkovich said (h/t nesn.com) "Let's be realistic."
Ninkovich was pretty blunt in saying the Patriots will not be achieving 11 wins in 2025. However, does New England need to reach 11 wins for 2025 to be a success?
New England Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich (50) against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium.
New England Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich (50) against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium.
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
After all, the Patriots haven't achieved 11 wins since quarterback Tom Brady was at the helm in 2019. New England reached 10 wins and a playoff birth in 2021 and has lost 13 games each of the last two years.
It feels like a successful season for the Patriots in 2025 would be a winning record and a potential playoff birth. In 2024, only one team in the AFC that finished with a winning record missed the playoffs. The Cincinnati Bengals were the first team out with a 9-8 record.
Both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos made the playoffs with a 10-7 record. If the Patriots can win 10 games after back-to-back four-win seasons, there will be positivity flowing in New England.
The Patriots, under new head coach Mike Vrabel, have made a lot of changes this offseason to elicit such hope for 2025. Josh McDaniels is back as the offensive coordinator, as he was for the Patriots' six Super Bowls, and the Patriots bolstered their defensive and offensive lines in an attempt to bring back the toughness up front.
New England also brought in linebacker depth and star receiver Stefon Diggs to give Maye a new weapon in the passing game. The Patriots are set up for a big jump in 2025, but how big is the question?
Ninkovich doesn't believe it's realistic for the team to win 11 games, and he would be one to know, as he won at least 12 games in six of his seven years with the Patriots.