The New England Patriots had been preparing for the biggest stage in the game for just three years.
The Patriots, at the time, won the organization’s sixth Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams. From there, New England was eliminated from the postseason in the AFC Wild Card Game, which proved to be the last Tom Brady in a Patriots uniform, and in the most recent 2020 season, they seemed very distant from their days of fighting for title.
So, as Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs at the Super Bowl LV on Sunday, the question arises: how far are the Patriots from competing in another Super Bowl?
ESPN revealed schedules for all 32 teams on Monday, and Patriot fans are unlikely to love what The Worldwide Leader predicted for New England.
Simply put, ESPN believes the Patriots are three or more years away from championship competition. This earned them the categorization “High”.
The Patriots, long regarded among the league’s elite, are now ranked with Raiders, Panthers, Washington Football Team, Broncos, Bears, Falcons, Jets, Jaguars and Giants.
Disgusting. Only Texans, Lions, Bengals and Eagles are further away, according to ESPN.
Here’s the reasoning, by ESPN:
Strategy to become a candidate for the Super Bowl: After reaching the salary cap in 2020 to pay previous bills, the Patriots are well positioned with about $ 60 million in projected ceiling space this year. They can potentially profit in a rare year, when a significant number of teams may have to dispense with quality players due to an upper limit. Using this solid financial situation to improve a list of notable holes is where your strategy starts.
Biggest factor X: Finding the next defender and then giving him the best chance of success, improving talent in the receiver and the tight end. The Patriots still have Bill Belichick, one of the greatest coaches of all time. The way Belichick stocks the squad in these key areas – among others – will highlight his personal dexterity as he tries to return the franchise to prominence in the post-Brady years. – Mike Reiss
If that’s not hard to hear, AFC East champion Bills joins the Chiefs, Buccaneers and Packers as teams that ESPN believes are ready to compete now.
Even another AFC East rival, the Dolphins, are seen to be closer to a race in the Super Bowl, despite being behind Santos, Seahawks, Ravens and Rams, who are considered a year away.
Miniature photo via Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports Images