NFL teams that do great things do so with great players on board. If you have them, you have a chance; if you don't, you won't. It ain't rocket science, just fundamental NFL doctrine. The Patriots' roster over the past five years has been depleted of that kind of player, and poor personnel management did little to remedy that situation.
The good news is that the most critical position player on the team, the quarterback, is on the verge of stardom and more. Drake Maye was the only excellent decision the Patriots made in the 2024 offseason. But it was a perfect one.