The New England Patriots dynasty has crumbled, and even Google seems to sense it. Type “Why are the Patriots” into the search bar and the top autocomplete result cuts right to the core and offers a harsh reality check for a franchise that not too long ago was the NFL’s golden standard.

Yet this pain has been years in the making, with a steady decline since the Tom Brady departure, their playoff drought, and a disastrous campaign in 2023 that ultimately put a nail in Bill Belichick’s legendary coaching tenure. Google’s unvarnished query is forcing hardcore fans to confront an uneasy reality. How did an iconic era turn to rubble so quickly? The reasons are shocking yet inevitable when you analyze the missteps that dethroned this kingdom.

Google gives the hard pill to the New England Patriots

The Google autocomplete doesn’t lie – the Patriots are indeed doing “so bad” after their unfortunate fall from grace. “Here’s looking at you, kid,” Rick said, leaving the audience with a poignant farewell in “Casablanca,” much like the bittersweet end to Belichick’s after overseeing this once-proud empire’s demise with a 4-13 record in 2023.

But the cracks were evident long before this abject season. Cast your mind back to 2020 when Tom Brady fired the first salvo by leaving in free agency, sick of the “Patriot Way” that previously fueled championships. Other elite talents soon followed Brady out the door as locker room malaise spread. As Matthew Slater bluntly put it, their mentality was “Down with the ship…I’m going down with it, committed to this ship, committed to the captain.”

Trending

Exclusive: After Claiming He Can Beat Caitlin Clark 1v1, Iowa’s No.1 NFL Draft Prospect Cooper DeJean Comes Clean

April 25, 2024 03:12 PM EDT

Despite Tom Brady’s Influence, JJ McCarthy Snubs Patriots In Favor of NFC Rivals Thanks to Michigan Connection

April 25, 2024 03:45 PM EDT

2024 NFL Draft: In Eminem’s Presence, Detroit Denied Entry Into NFL History Books as Motor City Fans Stopped Due to Maximum Capacity

April 26, 2024 01:40 AM EDT

Where Is Russell Wilson’s Ex-partner Ashton Meem Now? Everything We Know About Broncos QB’s First Wife

November 20, 2023 04:39 AM EST

NFL Draft: Look Back at Russell Wilson’s Ex-Wife Ashton Meem’s Viral Reaction on 2012 Draft Day After Seattle Seahawks Picked Him in 3rd Round

April 21, 2024 08:58 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NFL stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

The “do your job” mantra that propelled two decades of dominance started ringing hollow, especially as puzzling moves like hiring Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator undercut the Patriots’ prowess. Predictably, these rookie mistakes contributed to New England’s stunning offensive ineptitude in 2023, when they finished dead last in scoring at 13.9 points per game.

However, this decline cannot be pinned solely on coaching instability and personnel gaffes. Injuries ravaged the Patriots all year, robbing them of elite talents like rookie standout Christian Gonzalez just weeks into his promising campaign. A rash of missed games and untimely roster defections left gaping holes that felled New England’s title hopes before the season could take flight. But even those hurdles may have been overcome if not for the quarterbacking woes that evoked a frustrated coach yelling “Wake up, Mac!” at a petulant, struggling Jones, reminiscent of a scene from “Varsity Blues.” Nevertheless, the team pressed on, determined to turn their fortunes around.

Patriot rebirth or rebuilding purgatory?

While the wreckage of 2023 lies smoldering in New England’s rearview, the focus has fully shifted to hitting restart on this iconic franchise. The question is whether the rebuild represents a reboot of championship contention or merely lays the foundation for more purgatory down the road.

Reasons for hope emerge from the rubble, namely the third overall pick in the 2024 draft that owner Robert Kraft likened to landing Willie McGinest in 1994 – an impact player who “kicked some butt” in reigniting the Patriots’ playoff fortunes. This draft provides New England a rare opportunity to claim elite talent after years of picking late.

What’s more, they stand third in line for any impact players unexpectedly jettisoned by other teams trimming rosters. As Kraft stated, “We’ve never been in a claiming position of No. 3…there are a lot of little things that can happen.” It’s a prime spot to pluck overlooked gems with All-Pro upside, not unlike how they unearthed rookie guard Sidy Sow amidst last season’s turmoil.

“I Didn’t Wanna Get Too Emotional”: Patriots Legend Recalls Holding Back Tears While Bidding Bill Belichick Adieu

However, Kraft also cautioned “We have to be patient” through an overhaul featuring 20 new coaching hires acclimating to the “Patriot Way.” Resetting a culture of sustained success requires time, something the fanbase has little appetite for after the dynastic highs of the Belichick-Brady era that made championships an annual expectation akin to Groundhog Day.

Ultimately, the 2024 season will hinge on quickly coalescing the roster’s remodeled pieces around a competent quarterback. Trotting Mac Jones back out after his disastrous 2023 would be like rewatching Steven Seagal’s entire filmography on repeat. Unacceptable torture that not even Robert Kraft’s deep pockets can justify bankrolling. Mastering those pivotal decisions could reignite title runs, like Sly Stallone sculpting victory again in the Rocky sequels. Misfire and The Patriot Rebirth devolves into a horror movie franchise akin to Nightmare on Elm Street – one soul-crushing sequel after another.

Billionaire Robert Kraft Forced to Spend $50M After Patriots Ranked Near Last in NFLPA Survey