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Top 10 reasons for Patriots’ shocking turnaround
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- Top 10 reasons for Patriots’ shocking turnaround
FOXBOROUGH – It might feel like it happened overnight, but for the Patriots , this dramatic turnaround took some time, luck, and a well-executed plan.
After back-to-back 4-win seasons, Mike Vrabel’s team heads into the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 14-3 record. They’re back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season and will take on the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday night.
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The Patriots finished this season tied for the best record in the NFL. Their 10-game improvement from 2024 ties a record for the biggest turnaround in NFL history. The only other teams to accomplish this feat were the Indianapolis Colts , who went from 3-13 in 1998 to 13-3, and the 11-win 2008 Miami Dolphins , who were 1-15 the previous season.
Vrabel joins San Francisco ’s George Seifert (1989) and Indy’s Jim Caldwell (2009) as the only coaches in NFL history to win 14 games in their first season.
How did this happen for the Patriots? Here’s a look at the top 10 reasons in chronological order:
1. Drafting of Drake Maye
The 2025 Patriots and the 1998 Colts have something in common. Their 10-game turnaround from the previous season started with having an elite young quarterback. The Colts went from 3-13 to 13-3 from Peyton Manning ’s rookie season to his second year. For the Patriots, this turnaround wouldn’t have been possible without Maye.
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The start of this turnaround in Foxborough starts with Eliot Wolf’s decision not to trade out of the No. 3 spot and draft Maye in 2024. The Patriots never considered multiple packages, worth numerous first-round picks, because they were convinced of Maye’s talent and potential.
It paid off big time. Maye is in the running for the MVP award and is the best player on this team.
2. Firing of Jerod Mayo
Robert Kraft was so sure of Jerod Mayo that he put a succession clause in his contract so he wouldn’t lose him after Bill Belichick’s time in New England was over. That’s why it was partly surprising that the Patriots’ owner would fire Mayo after one season.
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However, it was clear early in 2024 that Mayo didn’t have the experience needed to lead the Patriots in this post-Belichick era. The first-year coach wasn’t able to hire an experienced coaching staff, and players in free agency turned down more money to not sign with the Patriots. The hiring was an utter disaster, and Kraft’s decision to admit his mistake allowed the Patriots to reset.
3. Hiring of Mike Vrabel
Of course, Kraft also had another good reason to fire Mayo – Vrabel was available. Last season, the New York Jets interviewed Vrabel late in December. Kraft knew he needed to act fast to prevent the Patriots’ hall of famer from going somewhere else, including in the division.
When Mayo was let go, Vrabel was the obvious choice. Still, Kraft interviewed another top candidate, Ben Johnson. Ultimately, the Patriots’ owner got a mulligan on his Belichick succession plan and hired a capable and experienced head coach to lead his organization.
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Vrabel showed this year that he’s a great coach who can push players hard, but also connect with them on a personal level. He’s created a special dynamic in Foxborough where players truly care about one another.
4. Josh McDaniels comes back
It’s never ideal to change offensive systems and coordinators with a young quarterback. The Patriots saw that firsthand with Mac Jones . After a successful rookie season in 2021, Belichick’s decision to hire Matt Patricia as his offensive play-caller backfired brutally, and Jones paid the price.
However, Vrabel’s decision to bring back Josh McDaniels was one of the most important hires for the Patriots this offseason. The Super Bowl-winning coordinator has a special bond with Maye, and he’s gotten the best out of the young quarterback.
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The 490 points scored this season are the most by a Patriots team since 2012 (513). The Patriots scored just 289 points last year and 236 in 2023.
5. Hiring an experienced offensive staff
Vrabel didn’t just stop at hiring one experienced offensive coordinator. He hired four. This year’s coaching staff has four coaches who have been offensive coordinators in the NFL – McDaniels, offensive line coach Doug Marrone, receivers coach Todd Downing, and tight ends coach Thomas Brown.
Players in the Patriots locker room have marveled over their position coaches and the knowledge they possess. That also includes veteran running backs coach Tony Dews, three total offensive line coaches (Marrone, Jason Houghtaling, and Robert Kugler), and a rising NFL assistant in quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant.
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6. Hiring a defensive staff with institutional knowledge
It wasn’t a surprise last season when Mayo hired DeMarcus Covington as his defensive coordinator. However, the first-time coordinator had to work with a defensive staff that didn’t all have experience coaching in the system he wanted to run.
That’s not the case at all this season.
Vrabel put together a defensive staff where most of the coaches worked with him and his scheme in Tennessee . That included defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr, safeties coach Scott Booker, cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton, and defensive line coach Clint McMillan.
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This turned out to be vitally important as Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had to step away. Vrabel elevated Kuhr to be the team’s defensive play-caller, and the Patriots’ defense finished fourth in the NFL in points allowed per game (18.8).
7. Patriots free-agent plan
The Patriots hit on their top free-agent target, Milton Williams , but Vrabel had a bigger goal this offseason. He wanted to change the team’s culture and aimed to bring in veteran free agents who would help as much in the locker room as they would on the field. Vrabel also targeted players who fit his or McDaniels’ scheme on offense and defense.
On defense, the team added Williams, linebacker Robert Spillane , cornerback Carlton Davis , edge rusher Harold Landry , defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga , edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson , and linebacker Jack Gibbens . On offense, they signed receiver Stefon Diggs , right tackle Morgan Moses , center Garrett Bradbury , receiver Mack Hollins , and backup quarterback Josh Doggs.
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The Patriots wouldn’t be where they are without the improved roster and improved locker room.
8. The signing of Stefon Diggs
This deserves its own category. The Patriots hadn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019. That wasn’t from the lack of trying. Over the last two years, the Patriots were turned down by several No. 1 receivers – Brandon Aiyuk , Calvin Ridley , and this offseason, Chris Godwin . Aiyuk and Godwin turned down more money to play elsewhere.
The Patriots are lucky they did.
Diggs ended up signing with the team later in free agency. At age 32, coming off a season-ending ACL injury, this wasn’t a sure bet. There was some risk involved. But in the end, Diggs gave the Patriots the top receiver they’ve been looking for. He finished with 85 receptions, 1,013 yards, and four touchdowns. He’s exactly what Maye and this offense needed. Diggs also finished with more catches (50), receiving yards (663), and touchdowns (2) than Aiyuk, Ridley, and Godwin had combined this season.
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9. Drafting Will Campbell
The Patriots had a massive issue the last few seasons – their offensive line was horrible. It was so bad in 2022 that two quarterbacks (Jones and Brian Hoyer ) suffered injuries. They lacked average tackle play.
The Patriots rectified that problem this offseason. In free agency, they added a new right tackle (Moses) and center (Bradbury). In the draft, one of the biggest moments came when they stood pat and selected Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick.
There was some controversy in that selection. Scouts and online armchair general managers didn’t believe Campbell had the proper arm length to play left tackle in the NFL. This season, he proved them wrong. Campbell solidified the left side of the Patriots’ offensive line and looks like a long-term answer at that position.
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The Patriots’ offensive line finished seventh this season in composite rankings. They were 32nd in 2024.
10. A competent rookie class
Outside of drafting Maye, the Patriots’ 2024 draft class was an absolute disaster. The team either traded or released their second-round pick (Ja’Lynn Polk), both fourth-round picks ( Javon Baker and Layden Robinson ), their sixth-round pick (Joe Milon), and their seventh-round selection ( Jaheim Bell ). The only two that remain on this roster are the quarterback and Caedan Wallace , who’s mainly been a healthy scratch this season.
The 2025 rookie class, however, added to the success of this team.
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The Patriots added a starting left tackle (Campbell), a leading rusher/dynamic playmaker ( TreVeyon Henderson ), a starting left guard ( Jared Wilson ), a starting safety ( Craig Woodson ), a deep threat ( Kyle Williams ), a long snapper ( Julian Ashby ), and a kicker ( Andy Borregales ). Every player in the 2025 draft class ended the season on the Patriots roster ( Joshua Farmer is on the injured reserve).
The Patriots also received contributions from several undrafted rookies, namely edge rusher Elijah Ponder and slot receiver Efton Chism III .
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