Rebuild Year or Missed Opportunity?: Reflections on the 2025-26 Patriots Season as an Optimistic Fan

By Tom Melia

Creator: Kirby Lee Credit: IMAGN IMAGES

My first memory of the NFL is from February 5th, 2017: the infamous 28-3 game. The Falcons were up big in the 3rd quarter, and I remember looking around at everyone at my house - complete defeat on everyone’s face. But then there was a touchdown, then another, and it began to feel like they could pull it off. Watching Tom Brady lead the Patriots back into that game was such a surreal experience I don’t think any NFL game in my lifetime will be able to top.

Super Bowl LX certainly didn’t top the 28-3 game, and the Patriots clearly didn’t have Tom Brady at the helm on Sunday. Drake Maye, admittedly under siege the entire game by the “Dark Side”, did not look like his MVP-runner-up self. He missed some crucial throws, didn’t take checkdowns when that was all there was, and his late turnovers sealed the Patriots fate. But it wasn’t all bad. He ended up throwing for 295 yards, on 63% completion, as well as 2 touchdowns. His talent was put on clear display - watching the replays back, Maye simply has a special ability to make ridiculous throws that shouldn’t be possible (the touchdown to Mack Hollins!). He was able to fight through his palpable anxiety to deliver some key plays, but for the most part, especially in the first half, the offense was stagnant. The offensive line (specifically the rookies on the left side, Will Campbell and Jared Wilson) got completely shredded the whole game, placing impossible pressure on Maye. And despite the similar shakiness Maye displayed in the other playoff games, I am still a believer. As a proud original follower of Drake Maye Lover on Instagram, I felt vindicated when I saw his talent being realized this season. And I think he is the type of player to respond well to adversity. Hopefully this loss can teach everyone in the locker room and management what pieces they were missing to cause them to fall short.

I won’t spend much time on the Seahawks' performance, as I am still a little salty, but I will say they are certainly the most well-rounded team in the NFL. Their offense wasn’t as solid in the Super Bowl (shoutout to the Pats defense), but they are typically a top unit in the NFL led by Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Sam Darnold. Yet, their defense is what truly separates them from everyone else. It seemed like they didn’t have a single weak link in their unit on Sunday, and from Devon Witherspoon to Nick Emmanwori to Leonard Williams, they are loaded with stars. They are set up well for the future. 

Going back to the Patriots defense - I don’t think they are getting enough appreciation for their performance. It is pretty incredible they were able to limit the Seahawks to 12 points through the first three quarters, given the level the Seahawks have played at the entire season. The Pats defense is the whole reason it was a game at all, and some players - especially star corner, Christian Gonzalez, and rookie safety, Craig Woodson - stood out and kept the game close. Pair them with Milton Williams, a defensive end who is about as destructive as they come, who also recorded a sack in the Super Bowl, and there is no reason to think the defense will decline next season. Zac Kuhr, the linebackers coach who was elevated to defensive playcaller this season after defensive coordinator Terrell Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer, displayed a knack for matching the right play at the right time and maximizing the players he has. The Patriots would be smart to elevate him next season.

Ultimately, Super Bowl LX was tough to watch. Maybe someday, after Drake Maye wins his first ring, I can find the replay and remember what the 2025-26 patriots season was like: the low initial expectations, the growing optimism, the playoff run, and the gratitude I felt for even being able to see them go as far as they did. I don’t think any game will ever be able to compare to 28-3, but next season, when the Patriots try to bounce back from the super bowl loss, I am hopeful they have the right pieces to make another run.