As the NFL regular season draws to a close, the New England Patriots find themselves in an unfamiliar position – poised to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. With a record of 3-13 heading into their Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots control their own destiny in the race for the top selection. However, head coach Jerod Mayo made it clear on Monday that the team’s focus remains squarely on defeating their division rivals, not improving their draft stock.
Mayo Emphasizes Importance of Winning
In a video conference with reporters, Mayo stated unequivocally that the Patriots are “100% focused on beating the Buffalo Bills,” dismissing any notion that the potential top draft pick would impact the team’s game plan or approach. The first-year head coach, who took over for the legendary Bill Belichick following his retirement, has consistently preached the importance of a winning culture, even as the Patriots have struggled through a rebuilding season.
“We’re 100% focused on beating the Buffalo Bills and that’s what we have to do.”
– Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots Head Coach
Patriots’ Path to the No. 1 Pick
Entering Week 17, the Patriots were not the favorites to land the top selection in the 2025 draft. That distinction belonged to the New York Giants, who sat at 2-13 prior to their matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. However, the Giants’ surprising 45-33 victory on Sunday catapulted the Patriots into the driver’s seat for the No. 1 pick. According to ESPN Analytics, New England now has a 78.1% chance of securing the top spot, followed by the Tennessee Titans (11.9%), Cleveland Browns (9.2%), and Giants (0.9%).
Bills’ Potential Resting of Starters
One factor that could play into the Patriots’ chances of victory on Sunday is the Bills’ playoff positioning. Buffalo has already clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC, meaning they have little to play for in terms of postseason implications. As a result, Bills head coach Sean McDermott hinted at the possibility of resting some of his starters, including MVP candidate quarterback Josh Allen.
“It does give us options, and we’ll see where it takes us. We have some guys who are hurting right now and might need some rest. But we’ll see.”
– Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills Head Coach
Rookie QB Situation for New England
As for the Patriots’ quarterback situation, Mayo left open the possibility of scaling back playing time for rookie starter Drake Maye. The first-round pick out of North Carolina has shown flashes of promise in his debut season but has also struggled with turnovers and inconsistency. With an eye towards the future, Mayo acknowledged that the team must consider all options heading into the final game of the year.
“I would say right now, everything is in consideration, and we’ll see how the week goes. It’s the last game of the season and we have to look forward. It’s a journey. It’s trying to be present and win this football game, but we have to look out the front windshield and where we want to go.”
– Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots Head Coach
Mayo also hinted at the possibility of giving fellow rookie quarterback Joe Milton III an opportunity to see the field. The former Tennessee standout has been inactive for most of the season but could get a chance to showcase his skills if Maye’s playing time is indeed limited.
Key Takeaways
- Patriots focused on winning Week 17, not draft position
- New England now favored for No. 1 pick after Giants’ surprise win
- Bills may rest starters, including QB Josh Allen
- Patriots considering scaling back Drake Maye’s playing time
- Joe Milton III could see first NFL action in season finale
As the Patriots prepare for their season finale against the Bills, the team finds itself at a crossroads. While the allure of the No. 1 draft pick is undeniable, Jerod Mayo and his coaching staff remain committed to instilling a culture of winning in New England. Whether that translates to victory on Sunday remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the Patriots’ rebuild is far from over, and the decisions made in the coming weeks and months will shape the franchise for years to come.
