Robert Kraft put just about everyone in the organization on notice at the league meetings when he uttered his unhappiness with the team's outcome the previous three seasons.
"I’m not happy that we haven’t won a playoff game in three years," he said. "I think about that a lot.”
So just about every player and coach has a little pressure on them. If the team doesn't get off to a good start, things could get a little tight inside Gillette Stadium - during games. It's hard to recall that ever happening, at least since Tom Brady ascended the throne in 2001.
Sure, things didn't go well down the stretch in 2019 ... but everyone more than earned a yawn. 2020 was a weird year for everyone, especially when Covid collided with Brady's departure to give us ... whatever the hell that was. And then 2021 was at least a bit of fun. A 1-3 start turned into 9-4, even with a rookie QB in Mac Jones, and while that was fool's gold, you could see things moving in a positive direction, even with the Beatdown in Buffalo.
Boston fans can take getting taken to the woodshed twice, even by the Bills (gag ... what is this, the 1990s again?), as long as the team corrects things and is better for it the next season.
That's where the issues arise. And the pressure builds.
Last year was a fine stepping stone, but there needs to be continued progress. There's really no excuse, especially with Jones and the Best Team Bill Belichick Could Buy entering Year 2 together. There should be progress, or else that $180 million was a waste of Kraft's bank account. If there isn't, blaming it on coaching defections — including a very big one at offensive coordinator — is not allowed. That is a self-inflicted wound everyone saw coming.
So, yes, everyone is under the gun a bit.
But some more than others need to deliver, or else they'll be hearing it from the faithful, sports talk radio callers - heck, maybe even some of their relatives.
Here's our listing of the top five Patriots under pressure this season in reverse order. First, however, we wanted to point out someone who isn't on the list.
Michael McCorkle Jones.
Are you kidding me? Josh McDaniels leaving for Las Vegas — and Belichick's plans to replace him — just gave Jones a Hall Pass to let it rip, free and easy. With Matt Patricia and Joe Judge running the offense, no one — even inside the organization — has any faith this offense is going to approach last year's numbers of the sixth-best scoring offense, and tied for third in combined explosive pass and run plays.
If Jones takes a step forward, he will get all the credit. If he stumbles, you know who is going to get ripped to shreds:
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
And then Belichick for choosing to go in that direction.
Jones has absolutely nothing to lose this season. He's playing with house money. He can only win.
So Jones is out. Who else could be feeling the heat in Foxboro this season if things don't go well for them?
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
5. Matthew Judon
We don't expect him to land on the underachievers list by the end of the season, but there's little question the former Raven is under pressure after the way he disappeared last season down the stretch. Do that once, ok, you get a pass (even if he played in the Pro Bowl and apparently didn't require surgery on anything). Things happen, and he was so good for the first half of the season that the good almost outweighed the bad. But if Judon disappears for a season-straight season? Yeesh. And remember, his cap number at $16.5 million is now the highest on the team ... for 2023 and 2024 as well. He'll take up 7.9 percent of their cap. There better be some bang for that buck. Anyone can be a beast before Thanksgiving. The difference-makers make big plays in the biggest games down the stretch. That was NOT Judon last season.
And then there's also this ... the Patriots got him zero help. It's Judon and the ponies — Josh Uche, Ronnie Perkins, Anfernee Jennings et all. There's no Khalil Mack walking in the door like Joey Bosa saw with the Chargers. There's no Von Miller on the opposite side, like Gregory Rousseau received in Buffalo.
It's just Judon, coming off a disappearing act in 2021.
4. Matt Patricia
He could bump up the list if he's actually the guy coordinating the offense, but he has plenty to worry about here just as the offensive line coach. Patricia is relying on Trent Brown to be reliable - and to play left tackle. Patricia needs to get the best out of Isaiah Wynn and Mike Onwenu, and he needs Cole Strange to play like a first-round guard - which is a pretty high bar.
Oh, and you have to keep Jones clean for the offense to actually work.
That's even before you get into Patricia's decision to enact Belichick's long-standing request to run more of the Shanahan offense ... even though no one on the staff has actually done that before.
Yeah, no pressure at all.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
3. Jonnu Smith
By the end of this season, Smith will have deposited $27 million of Kraft's money into his bank account. Going to need a lot more than 29 catches this season to successfully earn it. I mean, look at his OverTheCap.com page:
The site said he was worth $3 million last season. He received $17 million in cash.
We shouldn't also forget that not only are the Patriots banking on Smith flourishing in Year 2, they are doubling down on it because they jettisoned the fullback from the whole damn scheme, ostensibly for Smith to get more reps in an H-back role. Imagine if the Patriots not only missed on the Smith signing, but they made it significantly worse by relying on him?
Of course, Smith will get the brunt of the criticism. None of it will go to those responsible. He'll be labeled a bust and tossed aside if this doesn't work, even if he was viable with Ryan Tannehill (ducks).
2. Joe Judge
Have a hard time seeing the Patriots relying on him much as a play designer or caller, but if Jones doesn't take a step forward this season, Judge will be blamed. Of course, that's not fair ... it was Belichick's decision to replace one of the best QB coaches and playcallers in the game with a guy who no one wanted to coach receivers around here after 2019. But, like Smith, Judge will be the one to hear it because he's an easy target. And Judge, after his Giants stint, is a glutton for punishment.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
1. Bill Belichick
If this implodes this season, there will still be a sizable contingent of Patriots fans who will deflect criticism from The Hoodie as if they are armed with Captain America's shield. They will ignore what has gone on for several years in personnel. They will stand in front of the firing line when it comes to defending Belichick's decision to place two coaches, with barely any offensive experience, in charge of the offense. They will blame bad luck, injury, the seven plagues ... anything to keep Belichick in power.
But there is a sizable and growing populace that is starting to become realists about the state of the Patriots. All the defections, including Brady. All the mismanaged assets. The coaching decisions. The decision to elevate Matt Groh to director of player personnel and allow him to run wild with speed in the draft, even from a guard in the first round.
It will all come to a head, and could lead to Belichick's job status being seriously in question.
Of course, that's if things go poorly.
If it goes the other way, it would be Belichick's finest hour ... at 70 years old.
NICKEL PACKAGE
1. Would be surprised if the Seahawks are really in on the Baker Mayfield sweepstakes. Smells like someone in Cleveland is trying to get the Panthers to budge and push through for the deal. Seattle GM John Schneider really likes Drew Lock. Hey, he was right about Russell Wilson.
2. Chris Simms' list of QBs entering the season is always interesting. His top five, and notables:
1. Josh Allen
2. Patrick Mahomes
3. Justin Herbert
4. Joe Burrow
5. Aaron Rodgers
8. Tom Brady
14. Matt Ryan
18. Mac Jones
19. Carson Wentz
20. Jimmy Garoppolo
Considering the way he played at times last season, I don't mind Mahomes not being No. 3 ... and you could argue he should be No. 5.
3. My top five:
1. Rodgers
2. Burrow
3. Brady
4. Allen
5. Mahomes
4. With all the reports about his contract issues with the Cowboys, at some point I'm guessing I should figure out who Dalton Schultz is and why he thinks he's worth so much money off one really good season. (I'm only half joking).
5. Condolences to the Ravens organization after the loss of current player Jaylon Ferguson, and former player Tony Siragusa. It's been a tough week in Ravensland.