Four Questions Patriots Must Answer During Second Half Of Season

The first half of the New England Patriots season has been everything but exciting or successful.

So far what the Patriots did in the offseason was more entertaining than what they’ve done on the field, beginning with the club parting ways with longtime head coach Bill Belichick and hiring Jerod Mayo as his successor. Then the Patriots selected quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the draft.

With a 2-7 record through the first nine games, the Patriots are off to their worst start since 2000 when Belichick was in his first season as head coach.

As the Patriots head into the second half of the season, here are four burning questions New England must answer:

Can the wide receiver group find a way to contribute?
Coming into the 2024 campaign, the Patriots were expected to have one of the weaker receiving corps in the league and unfortunately for New England, that has been proven true. From forgettable performaces on the field to the public display of airing out their dirty laundry. Nearly every wideout on the team has made some sort of negaitve post which could led to the lack of inclusion in the offensive game plan. It’s time for the receivers to quit whining and start making plays on the field.

Can the offensive line find any type of consistency?
This can’t be completely blamed on the players given the Patriots have started eight different offensive live groupings through the first nine weeks and made 15 different changes. And losing center David Andrews certainly doesn’t help. The O-Line has allowed Maye and Jacoby Brissett to be sacked 31 times and lost a total of 214 yards as a result. The team as a whole has rushed for a measly 999 yards on 225 carries. If they can’t provide Maye, Brissett or the running backs protection at the line of scrimmage, the offense can never really get going.

Can Alex Van Pelt survive as offensive coordinator?
With a lack of offensive talent, exactly how much blame should be laid on the shoulders of Van Pelt? Yes, he’s been trying to install a new offensive system with the coaching regime change but without offensive weapons the plays definitely fall flat. Van Pelt recently gave Kayshon Boutte his flowers, stating the second-year wide receiver has emerged as the one of the Patriots’ “most consistent” players with 11 catches for 185 yards and one touchdown this season. Could his development rub off on the rest of the wideouts? And save Van Pelt from ruination?

Will Jerod Mayo do enough to keep his job at the end of the season?
From calling his team “soft” and other messaging miscues to not taking a risk and going for two and the win against the Tennesse Titans in Week 9, Mayo has earned the wrath of Patriots Nation. The first-year coach, much like his offensive coordinator, is dealing with a lack of talent on the 53-man roster, but he is the one making the decisions on which eight players will start on the offensive line that has yet to find any consistency all season long. More often than not, Mayo has told reporters after a loss that the Patriots need to be better and it starts with him. So, if it starts with him and the Patriots continue to lose, does he survive to see a seond season at the helm?