Patriots ‘Very Close’ To Return Of Key Defensive Pieces

The Patriots had an opportunity to be among the top defensive teams in the NFL in 2024.

Matthew Judon just happens to now a member of the Atlanta Falcons. Christian Barmore is out indefinitely with blood clots. Sione Takitaki and Marte Mapu, who were expected to be key contributors, haven't even practiced. Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones have been limited for weeks.

New England has looked customarily dominant through a pair of preseason games, but when the competition picks up there's a question as to whether they'll be able to reach the heights we all had them pegged for this offseason.

The impending returns of Marcus Jones and Jonathan Jones should at least help.

"I would say both of those guys are very close to returning," Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Friday.

It's been an odd few weeks for the Patriots, who despite shipping Judon to ATL, didn't skip a beat along the front lines Thursday. Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Joshua Uche all contributed to a night that included five sacks of the Eagles. Christian Elliss and Raekwon McMillan helped display the depth of the linebacking corps.

It's been choppy in the secondary without the Jones', though. New England hasn't really had anyone step up.

"The frustrating part is, it depends on what day you look out there," Mayo said Friday. "It's up-and-down, up-and-down. It's about consistency in this league, and we're looking for consistency opposite of (Christian Gonzalez)."

Isaiah Bolden, Marco Wilson and Marcellas Dial Jr. have all had opportunities, and as Mayo alluded to, have shown flashes. It's not like anyone has really taken that step forward, though. Gonzalez-Jones-Jones should be the primary trio, while Alex Austin has done enough to earn rotational snaps.

Can the Patriots trust any of the former three to contribute in the case of injury, though?