The New England Patriots made their vision for the 2024 season pretty clear, if it wasn't already, after trading star defender Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.
This season is clearly about developing talent well before worrying about wins and losses.
It's obvious that the championship pedigree of the recent past could not be farther from the current state of the Patriots. That doesn't stop TV personalities from wondering how that history could not power New England to do more to improve the immediate roster.
"The Patriots, where have all the duck boats gone?" NFL Network's Kyle Brandt questioned on "Good Morning Football" on Thursday. "... It just feels dark. I know some of the fans are saying, 'All in for 2025!' OK, but the Pats are never gonna say that. You're never gonna here that from them. So, I would pose the question to the Patriots then: We're a couple weeks from the season opener. What is the plan to win this year? What's the formula? Who are you?"
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Brandt questioned what Jerod Mayo can do with the current roster led by likely starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett, even while wondering why Drake Maye does not have more of a chance to win the starting job like Mac Jones did in 2021.
He credited the Patriots' pursuit to trade for San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who reportedly decided against a move to New England. Ultimately, Brandt just wants to know how the Patriots plan to operate.
"You're supposed to have a plan right now and the plan can't be what the fans say, which is, 'Unload him! Unload him! We'll just get better draft picks. We'll get the No. 1 draft pick,'" Brandt added. "You're also the Patriots. You've got banners. You've got a tradition. You have a respect amongst everybody. I don't understand this move."
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Featured image via Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports Images
