Patriots 2025 opener leaked, and it holds sentimental value as both franchises begin a new era full of emotional ties

Pete Carroll will be returning to Foxborough once again. 

Ahead of the official schedule release, the New England Patriots Week 1 game was leaked, and NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports that New England will be facing the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium to begin their 2025 NFL seasons.  

And it's fitting as both teams are in very similar situations. 

They have both undergone huge changes, starting with the coaching staff. The Raiders brought in Carroll this offseason, while the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel. 

Yet, while Carroll's full attention is on Las Vegas and getting them back on track, New England will always hold sentimental value for him, as he served as head coach of the Patriots from 1997 to 1999. 

Carroll took over for Bill Parcells after he resigned due to disputes with ownership. In his first season with New England, he led them to an AFC East division title, but afterwards the team declined. The following season they fell in the wildcard round, and then missed the playoffs all together in 1999. Robert Kraft ultimately made the decision to fire Carroll after the 1999 season. 

"I must say up front that he's someone I have great respect for," Kraft said in a press release from the Patriots on the day Carroll was fired. "I think he came into a difficult situation, but this is a business of accountability. Two years ago we won the division, last year we barely made the playoffs and this year we're 8-8 with a fifth-place schedule. We need a momentum change."

But, Carroll went on to have success with the Seattle Seahawks for a period of time, and is now looking to recreate that in Las Vegas. 

And then of course, there are the connections with Josh McDaniels having served as head coach of the Raiders, and Tom Brady now being a minority owner in Las Vegas.

Week 1 will certainly be a fun matchup as Carroll along with quarterback Geno Smith and new running back Ashton Jeanty look to start the season off with a win, while New England, led by Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye, will look to get the victory. 

Yet, while it's new eras in New England and Las Vegas, there will always be those little ties that make the game even more meaningful.