Former Patriots coach Michael Lombardi retains no faith in New England's 2024 roster

The New England Patriots went through a ton of changes for the 2024 season. However, their former coach, Michael Lombardi, has no faith in the current roster.

Lombardi appeared on ‘VSiN’ and shared his take regarding the upcoming season of the Patriots with regards to their roster. The 64-year-old said:

“There's no doubt they should be the lowest team here, because they're coming off of a team that didn't have a very good kicker, they didn't address that.”

“Their quarterbacking situation: they're going to go with Brissett. Their offensive line is up in the air.” [03:24 – 03:36]

Lombardi was content that the best thing about the Patriots’ dismal performance last season was their defense. However, the three-time Super Bowl winner believes that the defense is not up to par this season. He continued:

“The strength of their team was their defense last year, it's not going to be this year, it's probably not going to be as good.” [03:43 – 03:47]

The Patriots are in a rebuilding phase with a new coach, a new GM, and a rookie QB in Drake Maye taking over the team. The fans would hope for a quick rebuild in this new phase for the Patriots.

Lombardi joined the Patriots in 2014 as an assistant to the coaching staff and stayed with the team till 2016, when he hung his cap in the NFL executive arena after 32 years in the NFL and transitioned into the analyst role.

Michael Lombardi worried about Bill Belichick-less Patriots

For the first time in 24 years, Bill Belichick is not going to command the Patriots. And Michael Lombardi suggests that Belichick’s absence is going to cost the team defensively. He said on VSiN’s show:

“If you think you can just let Belichick, walk out of the building and the defense is going to improve or stay the same you got another thing coming.”

The new head coach, Jerod Mayo, will have a lot of responsibilities and eyes on him as he takes the Patriots forward. And his journey begins on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 8 in the Patriots season opener game.