FOXBOROUGH – The 2025 NFL season is almost here.
For the Patriots, this Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders marks a new chapter for the franchise. New coach Mike Vrabel brings a new level of optimism to the region. Add in an exciting free agent class and a hopeful draft class, and it looks like the Patriots should be more competitive this fall.
Of course, the Patriots won’t turn into a playoff contender overnight. Coming off back-to-back 4-win seasons, there isn’t a lot of depth on Vrabel’s roster. The hope is that an improved coaching staff will make up the difference.
It remains to be seen how many games the Patriots will win. There are still a lot of unknowns about Vrabel’s team and scheme.
Here’s a look at the top five questions facing the Patriots this season.
How much does Drake Maye improve?
It’s rarely ideal, but Drake Maye has a new head coach and offensive coordinator for his second NFL season. However, with Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, it certainly looks like the Patriots upgraded. The question now is how much the new offensive system will help this young quarterback.
This is a big season for Maye, who was the youngest starting quarterback in the NFL in 2024. He’s going to make mistakes, but he needs to limit turnovers this fall. If Maye finishes the season as a top 10 quarterback, the future will look bright for Vrabel’s Patriots. A lot is riding on Maye’s development.
When will Christian Gonzalez play?
Christian Gonzalez is arguably the Patriots’ best player. That’s why not having him practice in the last five weeks has been worrisome. The cornerback suffered a hamstring injury on July 28 and hasn’t practiced since. When will he return?
Now, Vrabel’s depth at cornerback will be tested as the Patriots open the season against the Raiders. If Gonzalez isn’t ready to start this season, the Patriots will take on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in Week 2 without their best cornerback. In Week 3, they’ll see DK Metcalf and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Is the offensive line improved enough?
The Patriots’ offensive line has been a trainwreck. Last season, the team allowed 52 sacks, which is the most allowed in New England since 1999. It was the sixth most in franchise history. This offseason, the team revamped the unit, signing veteran right tackle Morgan Moses, center Garrett Bradbury, and drafting left tackle Will Campbell and left guard/center Jared Wilson.
The Patriots need this line to be better if Maye is going to reach his potential. There are still some question marks, however, as we didn’t see Moses play much this summer. The team is also slated to start two rookies at left tackle and left guard. The improvement from this group will be a major storyline this season.
Do the Patriots have upgraded weapons?
It’s not from a lack of trying. The Patriots swung and missed in free agency the last two years with receiver Chris Godwin and Calvin Ridley. They also tried to trade for Brandon Aiyuk, who refused to come to New England. That all led to the Patriots signing Stefon Diggs this offseason.
Coming off a torn ACL, Diggs is projected to play this weekend. The hope is that he’ll provide an upgrade for the Patriots. The team is also looking for DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte to step up. They added receivers Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams as well. On top of that, there’s hope that rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson will provide a spark to the offense.
Will they have a top 10 defense?
Last season, the Patriots finished last in the NFL in sacks (28). The defense finished 22nd in the NFL in scoring (24.5 points per game) and 22nd in total defense (343.4 yards per game). The hope with Vrabel is that the Patriots will get back to having a top 10 defense.
The team spent a lot of money, adding starters on every level this offseason with defensive tackle Milton Williams, edge rusher Harold Landry, edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, linebacker Robert Spillane, and cornerback Carlton Davis. It also looks like the Patriots will start rookie safety Craig Woodson. Along with Gonzalez and Christian Barmore, the team has a lot of talent on defense. A top-10 unit feels like a realistic goal.
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