There is a lot of talk in a bunch of different threads about what to do with Mac, BB, etc. Thought it might be helpful to have a place to discuss rebuilding the offense as a whole, which I think is necessary (for those who do not, please share whatever you are smoking).
I doubt they extend Mac, and I think they play with him next year. I'd trade him if I thought they could get anything for him, but I think that is highly unlikely. Unless they get Caleb Williams (discussed below) I wouldn't spend a high draft pick on a QB. Go the 49ers/Lions route-build up everything around them, then add the QB. The 49ers plan worked perfectly, just with the wrong guy, Purdy instead of Lance (imagine what that team would look like with those picks back?). Lions are winning with a guy whose contract is so bad they got paid a first rounder to take him on, and are well positioned to add their next QB.
The biggest problem to me is the OL. I dont think it is fair to put much blame on Klemm because this cake was already baked when he was hired, but I'm hopeful that part of the reason they brought him on board is to improve their scouting, evaluating, and development when it comes to the OL. They cannot compete the way this line is playing now. Their non-turnover drives yesterday were horrid: 3 plays, 6 yards, 0:44, Punt. It is a passing league, but you cant be one dimensional (even if you are really good at it, which the Pats are not). They had 3rd and 1 on the Dallas 6 on the opening drive, how did they not just run the ball (twice if needed) for a first down? If you cant trust your OL to get you a yard, you don't deserve to win. They need an OL that can get yards and extend drives, and can competently pass block. That has to be the first priority.
There isnt a single skill position player on this team that is a major part of the next really good Pats offense, with the possible exceptions of Rham (although contract and wear and tear are concerns), Douglas and Boutte. I'm fine letting everyone else play out their respective string, but they should be looking to draft and develop guys behind them. Pats and WRs are the like the Sox with pitchers-there seems to be a real problem in evaluating and developing them. They need a new approach, and they need to look for a true #1 guy. There is plenty of late round talent out there-Diggs, Tyreek, Keenan Allen, Amon-Ra, Puka Nacua-all those guys were later round picks. I agree that scheme/the QB throwing to them matters, but Tyquan Thornton is the new Tony Battie* in any system. No more Thorntons or Harrys, who were both serious overdrafts.
I can't see the Pats being in a position to draft Caleb Williams. The Bears and Cardinals control the top of the draft (with their own picks plus Carolina's and Houston's respectively) and they will both be looking for a QB. The Jets will be in that mix, but I'm not sure they'd take the QB if they had the No. 1 pick. The Broncos and Raiders as well, especially if the Raiders get what they can for Jacobs and Adams. If the Pats finished with the #1 pick I'd take Williams (and then I'd sit him for a year). if they had the #2 pick and williams went 1, I'd take Marvin Harrison Jr. . After that (I think the Pats will be picking between 5 and 10) I'd take either highly rated tackle (Fashanu or Joe Alt) or Brock Bowers if neither of them were available. Later in the draft I'd look to add an interior guy-Maybe Christian Mahogany from BC if he slides.
TL:dr version: Bolster the OL with high picks and maybe an FA signing, add developmental skill players to find downfield threats, then add the QB.
*When he played for the Nuggets, Battie's own GM referred to him as "El Busto"
I doubt they extend Mac, and I think they play with him next year. I'd trade him if I thought they could get anything for him, but I think that is highly unlikely. Unless they get Caleb Williams (discussed below) I wouldn't spend a high draft pick on a QB. Go the 49ers/Lions route-build up everything around them, then add the QB. The 49ers plan worked perfectly, just with the wrong guy, Purdy instead of Lance (imagine what that team would look like with those picks back?). Lions are winning with a guy whose contract is so bad they got paid a first rounder to take him on, and are well positioned to add their next QB.
The biggest problem to me is the OL. I dont think it is fair to put much blame on Klemm because this cake was already baked when he was hired, but I'm hopeful that part of the reason they brought him on board is to improve their scouting, evaluating, and development when it comes to the OL. They cannot compete the way this line is playing now. Their non-turnover drives yesterday were horrid: 3 plays, 6 yards, 0:44, Punt. It is a passing league, but you cant be one dimensional (even if you are really good at it, which the Pats are not). They had 3rd and 1 on the Dallas 6 on the opening drive, how did they not just run the ball (twice if needed) for a first down? If you cant trust your OL to get you a yard, you don't deserve to win. They need an OL that can get yards and extend drives, and can competently pass block. That has to be the first priority.
There isnt a single skill position player on this team that is a major part of the next really good Pats offense, with the possible exceptions of Rham (although contract and wear and tear are concerns), Douglas and Boutte. I'm fine letting everyone else play out their respective string, but they should be looking to draft and develop guys behind them. Pats and WRs are the like the Sox with pitchers-there seems to be a real problem in evaluating and developing them. They need a new approach, and they need to look for a true #1 guy. There is plenty of late round talent out there-Diggs, Tyreek, Keenan Allen, Amon-Ra, Puka Nacua-all those guys were later round picks. I agree that scheme/the QB throwing to them matters, but Tyquan Thornton is the new Tony Battie* in any system. No more Thorntons or Harrys, who were both serious overdrafts.
I can't see the Pats being in a position to draft Caleb Williams. The Bears and Cardinals control the top of the draft (with their own picks plus Carolina's and Houston's respectively) and they will both be looking for a QB. The Jets will be in that mix, but I'm not sure they'd take the QB if they had the No. 1 pick. The Broncos and Raiders as well, especially if the Raiders get what they can for Jacobs and Adams. If the Pats finished with the #1 pick I'd take Williams (and then I'd sit him for a year). if they had the #2 pick and williams went 1, I'd take Marvin Harrison Jr. . After that (I think the Pats will be picking between 5 and 10) I'd take either highly rated tackle (Fashanu or Joe Alt) or Brock Bowers if neither of them were available. Later in the draft I'd look to add an interior guy-Maybe Christian Mahogany from BC if he slides.
TL:dr version: Bolster the OL with high picks and maybe an FA signing, add developmental skill players to find downfield threats, then add the QB.
*When he played for the Nuggets, Battie's own GM referred to him as "El Busto"
