FRANKFURT, Germany – The cracks are showing, even abroad.
On the surface, the Patriots Week 10 matchup is fun for all. The team gets a chance to travel overseas and bond. This is the type of away game that could bring a group together. The Patriots left on Thursday, arrived in Frankfurt on Friday before they practiced, and will get a chance to enjoy some of the local sights on Saturday.
The trip to Germany is a much-needed distraction for a Patriots team struggling to find consistency amidst this disappointing 2-7 start. But even during a special international trip, it’s hard not to notice some of the dysfunction shining through with this franchise.
That was clear on Friday before anyone from the Patriots spoke to the media, but the point was hammered home by Matthew Slater. The longtime captain didn’t hold back when speaking about how difficult this season had been.
“I truly believe that adversity makes you not only as a professional, but better men. You can’t really grow unless you’re under tension, under pressure, under adversity,” Slater said. “We’ve experienced a lot of growth this year. It’s been uncomfortable. It’s been just flat out unenjoyable at times.
“Everyone, if they take the right mindset and approach here, has a lesson that they can learn to make themselves better professionally and personally. Hopefully, we don’t miss those lessons.”
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Problems started last weekend when Bill Belichick benched cornerbacks JC Jackson and Jack Jones for arriving late to the team hotel the day before their loss to the Washington Commanders. The issue for Jones seems to be resolved as he traveled with the Patriots to Frankfurt.
That wasn’t the case for Jackson or starting left tackle Trent Brown.
On Wednesday, the NFL Network reported that Jackson wouldn’t travel with the Patriots due to “reliability” concerns. The veteran cornerback wasn’t with the team this week and didn’t practice with his teammates leading up to the team’s flight on Thursday.
Brown missed practice on Wednesday due to “personal reasons.” The starting tackle was a limited participant on Thursday due to his ankle injury, but he also didn’t make the trip to Germany. The Patriots ruled Brown out with a unique designation of “personal reasons/ankle.”
Distractions happen in the NFL. All teams have them. It’s the good teams that cover them up. The Patriots of the past certainly had off-field distractions and locker-room drama. The truth is it was easier to hide and/or keep players in line due to their success. When the team’s locker room was full of veterans and the greatest quarterback of all time, distractions felt like a rarity and even when drama happened (DeflateGate, SpyGate, etc.) the team overcame the adversity with relative ease.
That’s no longer the case for Belichick’s squad. In the past week, two players were benched and then two were left behind as the team traveled abroad.
Slater said Belichick’s message has been consistent and as a captain, he’s tried to help navigate the rocky waters.
“All of us have 100% trust and confidence in coach to do what’s best for the football team,” Slater said. “He said it as soon as I got here and he’s held true to it. He’s going to do what’s in the best interest of the football team. Those decisions are not really up to the players. Once he does make a decision, it’s our job to support guys that are here, aren’t here. Try to support them however we can. Try to encourage the team to keep pushing toward the goal and stay positive.”
Jackson’s current situation is a good example of how times have changed for the Patriots.
From 2018-2021, Jackson developed into a Pro Bowl and All-Pro starting cornerback in New England. He had plenty of help from veterans such as Stephon Gilmore, Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, and Jason McCourty. That defensive back room was stocked with veterans and good examples.
That didn’t mean Jackson was perfect in New England. According to multiple sources, there were concerns and minor incidents involving the cornerback off the field during his time with the Patriots. That was one factor when it came to the team’s decision to not franchise tag him in 2022 when he ultimately signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
However, the situation with Jackson never reached a boiling point in New England during his first four seasons in New England. That wasn’t the case in Los Angeles, which is why the Chargers traded Jackson to the Patriots after one year.
It hasn’t been the case after five games for the cornerback in New England. Unlike his first period in Foxborough, there isn’t a core of older cornerbacks to help Jackson but more importantly, the team is struggling. As the losses add up, so do the Patriots’ problems.
The situation with Brown is also concerning. The tackle has had some issues in his other NFL stops and like Jackson, he was traded back to the Patriots after signing a massive four-year, $66 million deal with the Oakland Raiders. Under Belichick, however, Brown has been a good citizen during his time in New England. This season, the tackle has been great for the team’s struggling offensive line. Brown allowed two sacks in the first eight games.
Now in Germany, getting ready for an international matchup, the Patriots head into this game without a starting cornerback (Jackson) and starting left tackle (Brown) who they truly need.
During his first press conference in Frankfurt, Belichick fielded questions about both players. The Patriots coach said Brown wasn’t with the team due to “both” personal reasons and his ankle injury. Belichick noted he didn’t want “to get into it” for the reason of Jackson’s absence.
Seeing the team travel to a game without two starters due to “personal reasons” is a sign of the current times. The wheels are coming off and this Patriots team is breaking. That’s easy to see – even here in Frankfurt.
“In times like this, it’s very hard to stay positive with everything we’ve been through,” Slater said. “Being negative and tearing down guys is not going to help anybody here. Just building guys up is very important. Whatever the message is from coach, it’s our job to really that in our own fashion to our teammates so we can hopefully all buy into it.
“It goes without saying, it’s been challenging.”
Not even a fun trip to Germany can hide that.
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