Belichick screwed up the offense.

The Patriots built an offense around a strong line and pass catching tight ends, that are essentially tackles that play receiver. The team also had two starting running backs in Sony Michel and Damien Harris. The offense was adaptable to what ever style of offense the Patriots wanted to run. To most the Patriots nailed the draft offensively but there are some that think the Patriots failed on offense.

The areas people are bringing up as the reason why they failed is the Patriots drafted Mac Jones in the first and Stevenson in the fourth. Although Stevenson can help replace Burkhead this year, and might play a bigger role next, while Jones gives the Patriots an accurate quarterback that they haven't had since the 2019 season; they were bad picks. 

Joseph Nocco of Clutch Points wrote about Stevenson, "However, it just seems as though the Patriots could have tabbed a much better player in this position, one that can make an immediate impact come 2021-22."

Everyone knows the fourth round is where impact players are the most plentiful. Silly me. Now Although I had Shelvin from LSU higher on my board and think he would've been more of what the Patriots needed, instead of Barmore; I was happy with Stevenson.

Perhaps the Issue is that the Patriots didn't draft Stevenson to play quarterback. As almost everyone who has an issue with Mac Jones, doesn't care about accuracy and would sacrifice it for running ability. There were many running backs and receivers that could've been drafted at 15 for the Patriots to select. But perhaps that's not the entire issue.

The Patriots used their draft picks to fill their needs. However, they also didn't  love Jones. If they had they would still have holes, and Mac Jones would be getting paid a lot more. They obviously weren't in love with Justin Fields because they could've out bid Chicago. That means they failed to mortgage the future to trade up with the 49ers for Trey Lance. 

It's clearly bad strategy by the Patriots. Mobility and mortgaging the future are what's trending now in the NFL. Everyone is doing it. Belichick had a chance to do both in one fair swoop and failed. This is just another case of Belichick the general manager hurting Belichick the head coach. 

Accurate quarterbacks don't win games. The Patriots needed to draft the next Jamarcus Russell, Tim Tebow, or RG3. Someone needs to tell Belichick this. And you don't plan ahead for the departure of either James White or Sony Michel. You over pay for a veteran or gamble in the draft and ait their replacement next year and struggle through 2022. 

Seriously, the media needs to get over themselves. Belichick has a formula that has worked for twenty years. Just admit you want the Patriots to become the team they were before they drafted Drew Bledsoe and get it over with. The media wants the Patriots to be mediocre but guess what. Not as long as Belichick is still general manager and head coach.