No, at least not this offseason. As bad as things were last Sunday, from this viewpoint, the Mayo/Wolf duo will get the offseason and the start of the 2025 campaign. However, if they have another bad offseason and start slowly next season, that won’t bode well.

Any chance Robert Kraft brings the band back together next year? Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels back, now that we have Drake Maye? (Not Bill the GM, though.)

— Dave, South Portland, Maine, via Bluesky

When it comes to the Patriots over the years, there have been so many wild stories that I’ve learned to never say never. That being said, I’d be stunned if that happened.

Vederian Lowe is clearly a problem. I can’t count how many opportunities that have been snuffed out by his poor play and costly penalties at crucial times. When does Jerod Mayo sit him down and try something else? He’s holding back the offense and making Mayo look bad in his first season as head coach.

— Scott Learnard, Jupiter, Fla. (via New Hampshire)

No argument, Scott. While Lowe has had some good moments — remember, he was the one who stepped in at left tackle following the abrupt departure of Chukwuma Okorafor and played reasonably well — Sunday was a bad game. I’d volley the question back into your court, however, and ask who you’d replace him with? While Lowe will never be confused with Jonathan Ogden, New England doesn’t have much tackle depth to speak of. Jalen McKenzie and Caleb Jones are offensive tackles on the practice squad, but I’m not sure they’d be any more competitive at this point.

I think an offseason issue for the Patriots will be all the money they spent this past offseason on their own players, which in many cases have turned into poor investments. This will inhibit their ability to sign quality free agents at year end. What do you think?

— Bob Carvin, Plymouth

The way most of the current contracts are structured, the Patriots have left themselves with plenty of financial flexibility heading into 2025. While reports vary, it’s safe to say New England will be among the league leaders in cap space this offseason. And based on the regression we saw last Sunday, Wolf might have to use every last cent.

The Patriots obviously need to protect Drake Maye moving forward. Which offensive linemen, if any, would you retain? Conversely, do you agree with me that offensive line is the Patriots’ biggest need in the draft?

— Greg, Arlington, via Bluesky

What’s that they say about great minds? Agree with you when it comes to putting a priority on the offensive line. Whether it’s in the draft or free agency, that’s got to be the first spot you target. (Game-breaking receiver is No. 2 on my list.) As for guys I’d keep, I’d build around Mike Onwenu, the best and most versatile offensive lineman on the roster. I’d also keep a locker open for David Andrews if he wants to return for 2025. I’d also find a spot for Cole Strange, keep Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson as depth pieces, and go from there.

What’s the realistic future for this team and Jonathan Jones? He’s been a good player for a long time. Is he still in the cards with the rebuild?

— Nick from Washington, D.C. (by way of Narragansett), via Bluesky

Great question, one that came up a lot at the trade deadline. He doesn’t have a captain’s “C” on his jersey, but right now I’d say Jones is their best leader, at least among active players. It’s important to keep a guy like that around. (That’s with the understanding that he’s lost a step.) Now, that being said, I still maintain he would make a great complementary cornerback for a playoff team that needs to build depth in the secondary. At the end of the day, if you can get a team to overpay a bit for him on draft weekend, that’s a deal I’d take a look at. (Providing you’ve addressed the cornerback depth in free agency or the draft.)

With talk of Cole Strange moving to center, do you think David Andrews is retiring? Should Caedan Wallace be tried out at left tackle when he returns, or right tackle to develop with Big Mike?

— Rick Lawson, Riverside, R.I., via Bluesky

I think Andrews comes back for one more year; I don’t think he wants to go out with these back-to-back seasons on his résumé. Strange will likely play some center this year, which could make him part of the mix for a variety of interior positions heading into 2025. As for Wallace, some of it hinges on the draft and free agency, but I think there’s value in seeing if he can be a swing tackle next season. One of the many things missing from this roster are guys who can play multiple spots in a pinch. Right now, Onwenu is the only guy who can hold up capably at two positions. If they can develop a couple more guys with positional flexibility, it’ll be a step in the right direction for the group for next year.

Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @cpriceglobe.