When the New England Patriots traded for WR Brandin Cooks, EDGE Kony Ealy, and TE Dwayne Allen, and when they swiped restricted free agent RB Mike Gillislee from the Buffalo Bills, it seemed like the franchise was going “all in” for 2017 and 2018. The Patriots flipped draft picks for proven commodities, which is out of the norm for New England.
But Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio swears the moves weren’t made with the QB Tom Brady and his inevitable ride towards the sunset in mind. They were just valuable opportunities that presented themselves.
So maybe the Patriots will break up the band over the next five years. Maybe the team will still be going strong. I’ve decided to make five predictions about where the Patriots will stand in five seasons.
Tom Brady will still be quarterback
The Patriots don’t have to worry about Jimmy Garoppolo in five years (he’ll be the franchise quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals) because Brady will still be slinging the ball. He won’t be in the top three or five quarterbacks of the league, but he’ll still be regarded as a top ten force that will allow the Patriots to compete on an annual basis.
Brady will have changed his stance on retirement to, “Well, I think I can play until I’m 50.” No one doubts him this time.
Bill Belichick will still be head coach
Belichick is a robot and will continue to lead the franchise. He loves the game too much and he’ll be closing in on the all time wins records. Don Shula has the record with 347 victories (regular and postseason combined) and Belichick will be just two or three seasons away from taking the crown.
Belichick loves the history of the game. He won’t retire until he’s on top of the records book.
Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia will be coaching other teams
McDaniels will become the head coach of the Tennessee Titans while Patricia will be the head coach of the Detroit Lions as both teams compete for the division on an annual basis. It’s okay, though- the Patriots will promote Steve Belichick to defensive coordinator and the Patriots won’t skip a beat. Cole Popovich will also take over for Dante Scarnecchia.
Ivan Fears will still be in charge of running backs. He’ll always be in charge of running backs.
Only 15 players on the current roster will be on the team in 2021
Only sixteen players from the 2013 team remain with the 2017 squad and four (Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner, Stephen Gostkowski, and Ryan Allen) were special teams players.
Look for Brady, James White, Malcolm Mitchell, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Trey Flowers, Dont’a Hightower, Stephon Gilmore, Stephen Gostkowski, Joe Cardona, and Ryan Allen to remain on the team, along with a few rookies (Derek Rivers, Antonio Garcia, and Deatrich Wise?) and couple other surprises like Jonathan Jones or Nate Ebner.
The Patriots will have won another Super Bowl
The Patriots have reached the AFC Championship Game every season since 2011. The streak will continue for five more years, with the Patriots reaching at least two more Super Bowls, winning at least one of them. How’s that for a bold statement?
Which prediction is most likely to come true?
Poll
Which prediction is most likely to come true?
This poll is closed
-
2%
Tom Brady is still QB
-
19%
Bill Belichick is still head coach
-
11%
McDaniels and Patricia are head coaches elsewhere
-
3%
Only 15 current players remain on the roster
-
62%
Patriots will win another Super Bowl