Part 2/8:
Entering the season, expectations were low for the Patriots, especially after the departure of legendary head coach Bill Belichick and All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady. The franchise was clearly in a rebuilding phase. Mayo inherited a troubled roster with minimal talent, which proved to be a daunting challenge.
After a rocky start, including a shocking win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Patriots couldn't maintain momentum. They managed to grab only two wins in their next 11 games, prompting questions about the team's ability to compete in a tough AFC East. Despite some flashes of talent, particularly from rookie quarterback Drake May, the overall performance was lackluster at best.