Serious question - do you watch the games?The idea that this is a moribund franchise is bizarre to me. If you ignore QB and one true offensive weapon (just for argument sake), and Gonzalez/Judon are healthy, is there really a significant gap in talent between the the Pats roster spots 3-53 and those of playoff contenders like Houston, Indy, Denver, Jacksonville or Cleveland? Sure some of those teams are a bit better (Cleveland) but it’s not the chasm a lot of people seem to be suggesting
a franchise QB and a good (not even elite) WR and health on D and this team is in the playoff mix. Not on Philly or SF’s level. Not on the same level as Dallas and Miami either. But a solid enough team that can get into the playoffs? Yeah I’d say so.
Of course, that applies to a lot of teams. But a franchise QB moves the needle a lot. Houston had a garbage roster last year and they’re in the mix this year thanks to nailing their franchise QB and adding a quality (not elite) weapon in Dell. Anderson has been good too of course but their resurgence has been because their offense has gone from putrid to very good.
there have been very few rosters across the league the past 20 years which have been truly moribund 3+ year rebuild projects. There is way too much parity in the league and most teams are “only” a franchise QB and one or two other guys away from being in the mix.
not saying it’s easy to find the missing pieces. But the talent level outside of QB and top of WR depth chart isn’t awful. It’s average, maybe a little above average on defense. Put a Stroud and Dell on this team and they probably have 6-7 wins with a real shot at the wild card, especially if Judon and Gonzalez (or one of them) was healthy.
no roster is going to look good with bottom of the league QB play and arguably their two best defensive players out for the year.
They have no offense. Their special teams suck. And the defense is okay when they play shitty offenses.
The next time they make the playoffs, Gonzalez may be the only current guy on the roster.
Other than that the best you can say is that it is possible their offensive line isn't terrible.
This team is a roster, front office, and possibly coaching overhaul away from sniffing the playoffs.