The plan looks all set for the New England Patriots with a strong second-year quarterback, a successful new head coach, the league's largest salary cap space, the No. 4 pick in the draft, and a history of success.
New England could become 2025's Washington Commanders and stun the AFC by at least reaching the championship game as the Commanders did in the NFC this season.
However, some don't think that will be the case.
Former Patriots linebacker and current ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi says not so fast when it comes to titanic turnaround hopes from 4-13 in 2024 to the cusp of the Super Bowl a year later.
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"I still see some growing pains next year," Bruschi told Yahoo Sports' Jason Fitz at the Super Bowl Radio Row on Thursday. "I mean, I hope that they're competitive in December where they maybe can make one of those seven, six seed teams."
"I don't know, but right now they need a lot that needs to be done to help them, and I want to see the development of Drake (Maye) and Josh McDaniels possibly knowing this is nowhere close to Tom Brady right now, so," him based on his talents," Bruschi added.
Bruschi played with Brady from 2000 to 2008, winning three Super Bowls together. New England hasn't won a playoff game since Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and retired in 2023.
