The 2021 New England Patriots season is one that is filled with anticipation and excitement for fans of the team. After a lackluster 2020 season that saw the Patriots miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the team has made several changes in the hopes of returning to their winning ways.

The biggest change for the Patriots came at the quarterback position. After 20 seasons with the team, Tom Brady left in free agency last year to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his place, the Patriots signed Cam Newton to a one-year deal. While Newton showed flashes of his former MVP self, the offense as a whole struggled, finishing 27th in the league in points per game.

As a result, the Patriots selected Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Jones, who won the national championship with the Crimson Tide last season, is seen as a more traditional pocket passer than Newton and could be the long-term solution at the position for the Patriots.

Along with the addition of Jones, the Patriots have also made several other moves to improve the team. They signed tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith to bolster the passing attack, and added veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux in free agency.

On defense, the Patriots also made a splash by re-signing linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who spent the 2016-2019 seasons with the team before signing with the Miami Dolphins last year. Van Noy was a key part of the Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning defenses and should provide a boost to a unit that struggled at times last year.

With all of these additions, the Patriots are hoping to return to the playoffs in 2021. Head coach Bill Belichick, who has won six Super Bowls with the team, is known for his ability to adapt and adjust to his team’s strengths. With a new quarterback and several new pieces on offense, it will be interesting to see how he utilizes his players and schemes to put the team in the best position to win.

One area of concern for the Patriots is their secondary. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, is entering the final year of his contract and is reportedly seeking a new deal. His absence would be a big blow to a unit that ranked 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed last season.

Another key factor for the Patriots’ success this season will be the play of their offensive line. The team lost starting tackle Marcus Cannon to a trade with the Houston Texans and guard Joe Thuney to free agency. However, they did bring back tackle Trent Brown in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders and signed guard Ted Karras in free agency. The offensive line will need to protect whoever is starting at quarterback and create holes for the running game to be successful.

Overall, the 2021 New England Patriots season is shaping up to be an intriguing one. With a new quarterback, several new additions on both sides of the ball, and a legendary head coach, the team has the potential to surprise many and return to their winning ways. Whether or not they can do so will depend on their ability to stay healthy, integrate their new players, and execute their game plan on both sides of the ball.

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