1991: 6-10 (missed the playoffs)
1992: 7-9 (missed the playoffs)
1993: 7-9 (missed the playoffs)
1994: 11-5 (1-1 in playoffs)
1995: 5-11 (missed the playoffs)
Quarterbacks used: Vinny Testaverde (16-15), Bernie Kosar (11-18), Mike Tomczak (4-4), Mark Rypien (2 -1), Todd Faircox (2-3), Eric Zell (1-3)
We do need to be fair to Belichick. Last year was a mess because the Browns were about to move to Baltimore. Art Modell broke the news during the November 1995 season. This becomes an unwinnable situation.
But that doesn’t excuse the first four seasons. The 1994 team did make it to the AFC Divisional Round, losing to the Steelers by 20 points. Bill Belichick’s teams without Tom Brady have never made it to the AFC Championship Game.
No matter how you look at it, Bill Belichick-Brown’s tenure was a failure.
Boston Globe. Getty Images.former new england patriots brady
2000: 5-11 (missed the playoffs)
2001: 0-2 (Brady starts in Game 3 instead of Bledsoe)
Quarterback used: Drew Bledsoe (5-13)
Yes, Tom Brady is not the Tom Brady he eventually became in 2001, but Belichick was 5-13 (!!!!!) before Brady took over, which is too crazy. If Brady had never taken over the team and they went 5-11 again in 2001, I truly believe he would have been fired. Many people said he was in big trouble when they got off to such a bad start in 2001. Remember, the Patriots haven’t had a losing season since 1995 when Belichick took over in 2000. After 2000, fans were angry.
Susan Knowles. Shutterstock images.The New England Patriots and other quarterbacks in the Brady era
2008: 10-5 (missed the playoffs, but still won 11 games that year)
2016: 3-1 (Brady returns after suspension in Week 5)
Quarterbacks used: Matt Cassell (10-5), Jimmy Garoppolo (2-0), Jacoby Brissett (1-1)
This is an era that makes the pro-Belichick camp look good. Going 13-6 without your starting quarterback is pretty good. Obviously, they had great backups in Cassel and Jimmy G, but he got those guys ready to play. The 2008 team missed the playoffs but still had an 11-5 record.
Elsa. Getty Images.Brady after New England Patriots
2020: 7-9 (missed playoffs)
2021: 10-7 (lost in AFC Wild Card Game)
2022: 8-9 (misses playoffs)
2023: 0-2 (???)
Quarterbacks used: Mac Jones (16-17), Cam Newton (7-8), Bailey Zappe (2-0), Brian Hoyer (0-2)
This stretch was a disaster. The Pats are in NFL purgatory. They’re too good to land the No. 1 pick, but they’re nowhere near a Super Bowl. Since Brady, they have become a mediocre team with no improvement. This might be the worst Patriots team since the 2000 team.
I know people are going to read this and say I’m biased because I’m a Jets fan. Yeah, you’re welcome, I’m biased. But I also think I can be fair too. I don’t hate Tom Brady. I look at him like I look at Derek Jeter. I respect both men and I don’t hate them either. I hope they lose all the time, but they are great winners. Brady won the Super Bowl without Belichick. This means a lot.
I do wonder when Patriots fans will lose patience with Belichick. He does love NFL history and I’m sure he wants to break Don Shula’s record for most wins as a head coach. Belichick still needs 30 wins. How long will it take him to get there? If they only win 7 or so games a year, you’re still waiting another 4-5 years. This would make Belichick about 75 years old. Can Patriots fans and Robert Kraft endure years of mediocre seasons?
The Patriots have been incredible. They have the best owner in sports in Robert Kraft. They have the best quarterback in NFL history in Tom Brady. I just don’t think they have the best coach ever. You don’t get everything.