There is now another team with a superior quarterback ahead of the Patriots in the AFC.
The Broncos reportedly landing Russell Wilson from the Seahawks makes the AFC even more crowded at the top. It was apparent the Patriots were already well behind their competition when they couldn’t stop the Bills in their final two meetings, or when Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen had an epic duel in the Divisional Round, or when Joe Burrow and the Bengals came back to upset the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. Now Wilson is added to the mix.
The Patriots lack the firepower to keep up, or the speed on defense to stop them.
Wilson’s performance suffered last year when he prematurely returned from a finger injury. But he put up MVP-caliber numbers over the previous two seasons, throwing for 8,322 yards with 71 touchdowns and 18 picks. Wilson’s relationship with the Seahawks has soured in recent years, and Seattle decided to stick with its braintrust of Pete Carroll and John Schneider instead of its franchise QB.
We’ve seen first-hand how well that typically works out.
The Broncos seemingly believe they are one franchise quarterback away from competing for a Super Bowl, much like when they signed Peyton Manning in 2012. They reportedly gave up two first-round picks, two second-round selections, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and quarterback Drew Locke for Wilson’s services.
Wilson is heading to a Broncos team that’s rich with young skill players: wideouts Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and KJ Hamler, tight end Tim Patrick, linebacker Bradley Chubb and cornerback Patrick Surtain III. They also hired former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their next coach, giving them a forward-thinking and innovative mind at the top.
Meanwhile, Mac Jones’ No. 1 receiver is either Jakobi Meyers or Kendrick Bourne. It’s been reported Joe Judge, who failed miserably with the Giants and has little experience coaching offense, is expected to work with the Patriots quarterbacks next season.
There’s apparently an “open belief” around the NFL that Bill Belichick will wind up calling plays.
The silver lining for the Patriots is that every team in the AFC West will probably beat up on each other throughout the regular season. This is now a division with Mahomes, Wilson and Justin Herbert. Josh McDaniels can’t be pleased.
But it’s likely two teams out of the AFC West will make the playoffs, leaving only two wild card spots open. The Patriots are far behind from a talent standpoint. Their depleted coaching staff can’t make up the difference.
Unless Jones takes a massive leap in his sophomore campaign, it’s hard to see how any scheme could bridge the gap between New England and its competition. The Chiefs, Bills, Bengals, Titans and Broncos are better than the Patriots.
We are a long way from the start of the season. But the Patriots are digging themselves out of a big hole before free agency even begins.