Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the New England Patriots knew their defense would face challenges. The offseason trade of star pass rusher Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons left a gaping hole, but head coach Jerod Mayo expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and overcome, as they had many times before. Fast forward to Week 16, however, and that optimism has all but evaporated as the Patriots sit at a dismal 3-11, with their once-vaunted defense ranked near the bottom of the league in almost every meaningful category.
The Judon Effect and Personnel Losses
There’s no denying that the loss of Judon has been felt keenly by the Patriots’ pass rush. New England has managed a paltry 98 quarterback hits through 14 games, dead last in the NFL. But Judon’s departure is far from the only personnel hit the defense has taken.
In Week 2, linebacker and defensive signal-caller Ja’Whaun Bentley went down with a season-ending torn pectoral muscle. His absence has been glaring, with communication breakdowns and missed assignments plaguing the unit. Cornerstone defensive tackle Christian Barmore, who looked poised for a breakout year, was diagnosed with blood clots in July and has been limited to just four games. The secondary has also been decimated, with starting safeties Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger each missing significant time.
Failing to Adapt
In the wake of these losses, the Patriots have struggled mightily to adapt on the fly. First-year defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington preached an “adapt or die” mentality in the preseason, vowing to uphold the team’s lofty defensive standards no matter the circumstances. The results, however, have not backed up that bravado.
While many expected the Patriots’ offense to struggle due to glaring personnel shortcomings along the offensive line and receiver, the demise of the defense has arguably been the bigger storyline, in part because it is Mayo’s expertise as a former linebacker and defensive assistant.
– Mike Reiss, ESPN
New England currently ranks 30th in opponent QBR (60.8), ahead of only the lowly Panthers and Jaguars. Their touchdown-to-interception ratio of 3.7 is on pace to be the worst in franchise history. Opposing offenses are converting third downs at a clip of 42.4%, which would be the Patriots’ worst rate since 2011.
Scheme Questions and Silver Linings
As the losses have mounted, rumblings have begun about whether the Patriots need a more drastic defensive overhaul in the offseason. Mayo and Covington have steadfastly stuck to the team’s time-tested scheme, but there is a growing sense that perhaps more aggressiveness and risk-taking are needed to overcome the talent deficiencies.
Still, to their credit, the players have not wavered in their belief or effort. Team leaders like nine-year veteran Deatrich Wise Jr. have been vocal in their support of Mayo, pointing to the defense’s youth, inexperience, and litany of close losses as reasons for optimism moving forward. That “next man up” mentality has been tested like never before, but the locker room appears to still be buying in.
An Uncertain Future
The 2024 season has undoubtedly been a trying one for the New England Patriots’ defense. From the Judon trade to the rash of injuries to the on-field struggles, very little has gone according to plan. With just three games remaining, the focus will soon shift to an offseason of difficult questions and potential upheaval.
Can Jerod Mayo and his staff engineer a dramatic turnaround in 2025? Will the Kraft family show patience with the first-year head coach, or opt for more sweeping changes? How aggressively will the Patriots attack their obvious defensive deficiencies in free agency and the draft?
One thing is certain: for a franchise so accustomed to defensive dominance, finishing near the bottom of the league is simply unacceptable. The climb back to respectability begins now, and the pressure will be on Mayo, Covington, and the entire organization to find answers quickly. The NFL waits for no one, and the Patriots’ defensive rebuild will be one of the most compelling storylines to monitor in the months to come.
