As the Kansas City Chiefs reach their fifth Super Bowl in six years, their dominance in the AFC feels inevitable.
Now on the verge of the first three-peat in NFL history, the league needs a hero to end the reign of the Red Kingdom.
Enter Drake Maye.
The Patriots are far from contention, but with Maye under center, they have a clear path forward.
Maye overcame organizational dysfunction and a lackluster supporting cast to showcase his high potential during his rookie season. If the Patriots address key roster deficiencies, he could eventually give them a shot against the AFC’s elite.
Patriots fans are rightfully optimistic about the possibility of having a quarterback who can compete with the conference’s greats. However, before that vision becomes reality, he and the team have a long way to go.
As the front office prepares for the offseason, studying how the NFL’s best teams have constructed their rosters — particularly those who made deep playoff runs — could offer a valuable blueprint for New England’s rebuild.
Patriots Can Learn From the Contenders
Transforming into a Super Bowl-caliber franchise overnight is not realistic. The Chiefs, Bills, and Eagles have spent years building toward sustained success.
The same cannot be said for the Commanders, who were in a similar position to the Patriots just a year ago.
Coming off the 2023 season, Washington needed a franchise quarterback, a new head coach, and roster upgrades. Under new ownership, they took the simple but necessary steps of drafting their quarterback of the future and prioritizing protecting him.
Both teams held top-three picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, with Washington selecting Jayden Daniels second and New England taking Drake Maye third.
Daniels had one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history, which made things much easier for Washington. While Maye’s path will be different, it is not unreasonable to envision similar success if the Patriots commit to building the proper infrastructure around him.
It may be humbling for a proud franchise like New England to take notes from Washington, but their approach offers a valuable blueprint.
Investing in the Offensive Line
Entering last offseason, Washington knew their plan was to draft their quarterback of the future. They understood that in order to ensure his development, they had to upgrade the offensive line.
Washington’s first step was identifying any foundational pieces already on the roster, which they did with Sam Cosmi and Andrew Wylie. From there, they used the 2024 offseason to bolster the rest of the unit.
They signed Tyler Biadasz and Nick Allegretti to multi-year deals in free agency and selected Brandon Coleman in the third round of the draft, who became a quality rookie starter.
As Commanders writer Zach Selby noted coming out of the 2023 season, the offensive line “arguably need[ed] the most attention.” Washington responded accordingly by bringing in three new starters, all of whom became instant contributors.
While Washington’s offensive line is not considered elite, it finished in the top 10 in both pass-block and run-block win rates, which is enough to give Daniels a chance to thrive.
The Patriots’ OL Situation
Washington’s plan to jumpstart their rebuild was pretty straightforward, and yet New England did not take the necessary steps to set Maye up for success.
Building the perfect offensive line in one offseason is not the expectation, but meaningful progress is non-negotiable. Asking for two players from the 2024 offensive line to become serviceable starters should (hopefully) not be too much to ask for.
Michael Onwenu, the team’s most reliable lineman in recent years, signed a three-year, $57 million contract last offseason, securing him as a cornerstone piece. Beyond him, the rest of the unit is uncertain.
Veteran center David Andrews could return, but he is coming off a season-ending shoulder injury and will be entering his 10th season. Other in-house options, such as Cole Strange, Layden Robinson, and Caedan Wallace, have starting experience, but none are sure bets.
Regardless of internal development, the Patriots must add reinforcements in free agency and the draft. Tackle remains the most glaring hole.
Potential free-agent targets include Chiefs guard Trey Smith, Rams tackle Alaric Jackson, and Falcons center Drew Dalman. While their prices in the open market may be pricy, investing in the offensive line is imperative to properly evaluate Maye.
Additionally, the Patriots must invest draft capital in the position.
Even the Eagles, a team known for their strong line play, continuously add depth, ensuring they always have capable replacements.
In the NFC Championship Game, with Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson dealing with injuries, they turned to 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen to start for them, and he held his own to help them secure a win.
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The 2025 draft lacks a blue-chip offensive lineman, but there is depth in later rounds. LSU’s Will Campbell is an intriguing prospect, but his arm length may limit him to guard. He is a possibility for New England, but if they opt to go in a different direction, they will need to make multiple attempts later in the draft to help bring in talent.
Regardless of the approach, New England must take multiple swings at improving their line.
Rounding Out the Roster
Beyond the offensive line, the Patriots need veteran leadership to help establish a winning culture.
Last offseason, Washington signed six free agents who played over 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2024. Their defense is far from the standard of excellence — especially after surrendering 55 points in the NFC Championship Game — but those additions helped push them into playoff contention.
Several of those veterans, including Bobby Wagner, Jeremy Chinn, Noah Igbinoghene, and Dante Fowler Jr., are free agents again this offseason. Washington strategically used short-term contracts to patch roster holes while maintaining future financial flexibility. With those contracts off the books, the Commanders enter this offseason in the top three of the NFL in cap space.
The Patriots, who currently lead the NFL in cap space, have the resources to take a similar approach. However, with their defense finishing 30th in EPA/play in 2024, reinforcements are a necessity.
The Road Ahead
New England does not need to become a contender overnight, but they must lay the groundwork for sustainable success.
Teams like the Chiefs, Bills, and Eagles consistently find value in free agency and the draft— areas where the Patriots have struggled in recent years. Closing that gap is no easy task, but it is what separates championship-caliber franchises from those stuck in mediocrity.
At some point, New England must prove they can execute at a championship level in roster-building. For now, they can follow Washington’s blueprint from last offseason and take meaningful steps forward in 2025.
The AFC is stacked with elite quarterbacks powerhouse franchises, and while the Patriots are currently an afterthought, they could be closer than they appear.
By addressing the offensive line, adding veteran leadership, and making smart draft decisions, the Patriots can create an environment where Drake Maye has a legitimate chance to develop into a quarterback who can challenge the AFC’s best.
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