The Buffalo Bills have dominated the New England Patriots over the past four seasons, marking a significant shift from the two decades where the Patriots held sway over the AFC East, often relegating the Bills to a secondary role. However, with the tables now turned in Buffalo’s favor, the dynamics between the two teams have notably changed.
Heading into a full rebuild, the Patriots are expected to perform poorly in the 2024 season, potentially ranking among the bottom three teams. With Jerod Mayo taking over as head coach, the focus is on developing new talent, particularly quarterback Drake Maye, whom the Patriots drafted third overall. Despite speculation that the Patriots should have traded down to gather future draft picks, they stood firm, notably rejecting a substantial offer from the New York Giants.
General manager Joe Schoen of the Giants attempted to trade up into the top three picks but found the Patriots’ asking price—a combination of 2024 and 2025 draft picks—exorbitant. This decision underscores the Patriots’ commitment to their current draft strategy and rebuilding efforts under new leadership.
The Bills should be ecstatic that the Patriots chose to draft Drake Maye with the third overall pick.
Hours before the Draft, the @Giants made a last-minute try to trade up with the Patriots 👀
New episode of #HardKnocks Offseason with the @Giants airs tonight at 9pm ET on @StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/YY63UG7pE3
— NFL (@NFL) July 23, 2024
This critique isn’t directed at Maye, who possesses considerable talent but still faces a significant learning curve transitioning from college to the pros. The Buffalo Bills have reason to be pleased because the Patriots currently boast a below-average roster that doesn’t set Maye up for immediate success. While 2024 may serve as a developmental year for Maye, he will likely see playing time, albeit with limited support from his teammates.
The Patriots have struggled to assemble a roster with impactful playmakers beyond Rhamondre Stevenson. Their decision to reject the Giants’ trade offer means they missed out on acquiring substantial draft capital for next year, placing them at a considerable disadvantage moving forward.
