How the Patriots should handle the remainder of the season

The same goes for the defense. Players such as second-year defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (three games, two sacks) and cornerback Isaiah Bolden (four games) should get more playing opportunities. So should rookie CB Dell Pettus, who has only one start. 

Think about trading WR Kendrick Bourne 

The Patriots sent their top trade piece, outside linebacker Matthew Judon, to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2025 third-round pick in early August, but Bourne, who re-signed with the team on a three-year deal in March, may be a name floated in discussions ahead of the Nov. 5 deadline. 

Bourne's age (29), approximately $3M cap hit and lack of production this season (four catches, 29 receiving yards and no touchdowns in three games) are all valid reasons for moving him.

However, the Patriots should also note that there are several motivations to keep Bourne with the team. He and K.J. Osborn are the only New England receivers with NFL experience. Bourne's four-year experience with the Patriots may also prove to be highly valuable for the rest of the young offense, especially first-round rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

Decide futures of offensive, defensive coordinators

The team must evaluate what to do with first-year Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, whose units have underwhelmed.  

Under Van Pelt, the offense is 30th in yards per game (262.9) and 31st in points per game (14.1), roughly the same as the awful 2023 offense (30th in yards, 276.2 and 32nd in points, 13.9 PPG). 

Covington's unit, meanwhile, has had a much more significant decline. The defense is 26th in yards per game (359.6) and tied for 24th in points allowed per game (25), a notable decline from the 2023 defense, which was seventh  (301.6) and 15th (21.5) in the same categories.