Expectations are through the roof for the Patriots next season. And honestly? They kinda did it to themselves with the way they moved this offseason. First, they brought back Mike Vrabel, a guy who bleeds Pats’ culture. Then, they reunited him with Josh McDaniels, setting the stage for an offense that works. And with Drake Maye stepping into Year 2? Yeah, expectations are sky-high. So what’s the plan of McDaniels, for Maye?

On Tuesday, during the press conference, McDaniels was asked how Maye has performed compared to his expectations before he met and worked with him. In response, the OC confessed that he still hasn’t talked football with the QB yet. “I haven’t had a chance to really do football with him yet, but that’ll come,” McDaniels said.

“We’ll have plenty of time here coming up next week, but I’m smitten by the young man in terms of just his personality. We’ve had an opportunity to spend some time that has nothing to do with football with one another.” See, Maye had a tough rookie season with the Pats—bad protection, shaky play calling, and, well, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly a dream start for the kid.

Under his leadership, the O-line struggled, ranking 30th in team pressure rate (28.6%), and to make it worse, their receiving corp failed miserably. But that doesn’t mean that the offensive coordinator is going to throw the second-year QB into the fire. Nope. Instead of diving straight into X’s and O’s, McDaniels is out there building a relationship with the QB. And why not?

Because let’s be real—Tom Brady and Bill Belichick didn’t just build a team in New England—they built a dynasty. Now? All that’s left are the scraps of that dynasty. But Mike Vrabel and crew? Yeah, they’re looking to piece it back together and bring some of that old Patriots magic back. And that starts with developing the second-year QB, Drake Maye.

“So I think next week and beyond will be super fun for me to really get to know him (Maye) from a football perspective and start teaching our terminology and language and seeing how he learns best and how he acclimates, but I couldn’t be more excited about the young man that we have,” McDaniels continued. And when asked if he’ll ‘tweak’ his offense for Maye and the personnel the team has, the OC stated, “Definitely. That’s the short answer.”

The thing is, Josh McDaniels isn’t the type to force a one-size-fits-all offense. The OC has a record of tweaking his system for Brady (when he cooked up plays that let Brady pick apart defenses), Cam, and Mac. So, no wonder the guy’s going to do the same for Maye as well. After all, the team’s owner is expecting some heroics from his team.

Robert Kraft sees a clear path for the Patriots

When Robert Kraft took over the Patriots in 1994, he saw it all. Bill Parcells was building something, and by ‘96, they made the Super Bowl—only to lose to the Packers. Then came the fallout, Parcells left, and after a quick Pete Carroll stint, Kraft brought in Belichick. The result? Six rings and a dynasty for the ages.

Cut to the present, and the Patriots are now struggling to win a playoff game. Their last postseason win? It dates back to the Super Bowl LIII when Tom Brady was still their quarterback. But things are changing in New England now. Especially after the arrival of Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, who know a thing or two about the Pats’ dynasty. And Robert Kraft has made his expectations clear.

“To make the playoffs,” Kraft told the reporters at the NFL owners’ meetings when asked what would make this a successful season. The Pats are yet to make a playoff appearance after losing to the Bills in the wild card round back in 2021. “Ever since I’ve owned the team, the objectives were for the team to make the playoffs. Because once you make the playoffs, anything can happen,” Kraft said.

“I think we have experience over the last few decades of seeing how that happens. I know I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but after my family, this team is the most important thing in my life. The bottom line is winning games … I really think we’re on that path now.” Robert Kraft isn’t just talking the talk. There’s a pretty solid reason behind his high expectations.

Because let’s be real—after a struggling 4-13 season in 2024, the Patriots have managed to build their roster. Whether it’s the arrival of Stefon Diggs to the WR corps or Milton Williams to bolster their D-line, the Patriots’ O-line is currently giving true succession vibes. No wonder the owner is expecting the team to secure a playoff berth.