Three Studs, Three Duds Entering Uncertain Patriots Season

The New England Patriots aren’t expected to be very good in 2024.

Jacoby Brissett is starting over Drake Maye. Vederian Low is expected to be the starting left tackle but doesn’t even look like he’ll be healthy to start the season. Alex Van Pelt doesn’t appear to have the horses to run his offense effectively. It’s looking pretty ugly from a 10,000-foot view, but there are some positives to look forward to.

Keagan Stiefel and Sean McGuire discussed some of those positives and negatives on the latest episode of NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast, bringing their “Studs and Duds” article series to video form.

McGuire kicked things off with his dud, which came in the form of Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf — who he believes bundled his first offseason at the helm.

“I don’t think he had a very good start to the season,” McGuire said. “I don’t think it’s going to look better when the season rolls around. The offensive line is scary, it’s concerning… The Patriots didn’t want to play Drake Maye in the preseason because of that offensive line depth. I have a feeling that is kind of playing a big role into why they’re not starting him.”

Stiefel countered with a stud, as he expects Keion White to be New England’s most important defender during his sophomore campaign.

“I don’t think you can find a spot (defensively) in which he isn’t Keion White,” Stiefel said. “He’s a dominant force on the defensive line. I’m expecting big things out of him. I don’t know what the sack total is going to look like, but I think he’s going to be really disruptive.”

If you’d like to listen to the rest of Stiefel and McGuire’s lists, you can check out “Foxboro Rush” in the YouTube or Spotify links above.