The Dark Specter of New England
Steve Tasker, a former receiver, has raised eyebrows with his recent comments about the New England Patriots. Tasker believes that there may be more to their current struggles than meets the eye. Speaking on a podcast, he said, “We lived through 20 years of it here, where everything that happened seemed to work out for them. Certainly with Brady, little did we know how far it was going to fall without Tom Brady.”
Tasker, who played most of his career with the Buffalo Bills, has seen firsthand how the Patriots dominated the AFC, especially the AFC East, during the Belichick-Brady era. He admits that there is a lingering suspicion among the Bills, Jets, Dolphins, and other AFC East teams that something mysterious is going on in New England. Tasker even mentions the conspiracy theories that surround the Patriots.
A Tank in the Making?
Tasker points to the Patriots’ current record as evidence of a possible tanking strategy. He says, “The record speaks to a tank.” After Brady’s departure, the team brought in Mac Jones as their potential franchise quarterback. However, Jones has had a difficult season and was even benched for his backup, Bailey Zappe.
If the Patriots continue to struggle and end up with a high draft pick, it is widely speculated that they will select a quarterback in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. The top-rated quarterbacks in the draft class include USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye, and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.
While tanking is frowned upon by the league, Tasker’s claim raises questions about the Patriots’ intentions. Belichick’s coaching history, combined with the team’s defensive prowess this season, makes some wonder if a promising young quarterback could lead them back to their former glory.
The Uphill Battle
The Patriots will face tough competition in their division next season, with Josh Allen and the Bills, Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, and Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins all expected to be leading their respective teams. However, the Patriots’ winning legacy, as evidenced by their Super Bowl rings, suggests that they are a franchise that despises losing. It is unlikely that they will settle for mediocrity under Belichick’s leadership.
Only time will tell if Tasker’s suspicions hold any weight. As the Patriots navigate this challenging season, the eyes of the NFL remain fixed on New England, waiting to see what the future holds for this storied franchise.
