Reporter Identifies 1 Big Factor To Patriots’ Success This Season

The New England Patriots are still trying to find themselves three years after the departure of legendary quarterback Tom Brady.

During that time, they have made the playoffs just once, and they are discovering just how hard it is to rebuild after reeling off six Super Bowl championships in the 2000s and 2010s.

With wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and former Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott on board, there is some optimism that the Patriots could be headed back to the postseason.

Many seem to feel the biggest factor in whether they get there is the play of quarterback Mac Jones, but Albert Breer feels it is actually how rookie Christian Gonzalez plays and whether he becomes a stud cornerback, via NBC Sports Boston.

Swing factors for the Patriots’ success this season: @AlbertBreer and @PhilAPerry take stock of QB, OT, Edge, and CB#ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/0OQkZh4FMZ

— NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) August 24, 2023

Gonzalez was the No. 17 pick in this year’s draft, and he will join a defense that ranked 16th in passing yards allowed and 27th in passing touchdowns given up last season.

Head coach Bill Belichick seems to want to establish a post-Brady identity around defense and running the football, especially since there are doubts as to whether Jones can become a franchise quarterback.

There is an insane amount of depth throughout the AFC, especially on offense, so high production from New England’s secondary will be key to their playoff hopes this season.

Just in their own division, they will have to deal with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets, all of whom have a Pro Bowl-level quarterback and at least one stud wide receiver.

If Gonzalez pans out, he will get plenty of support from Pro Bowl linebacker Matt Judon and All-Pro defensive back Marcus Jones.

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Reporter Claps Back At Mac Jones’ Critics Over Alabama Comments