Heading into the post-Tom Brady era, Bill Belichick is faced with a bunch of challenges. Some will be strategic challenges, some will be positional challenges. Many of the challenges will be involving personnel. However, there is no doubt that he will be tasked with one of his toughest seasons as head coach of the New England Patriots.
Belichick will be leading a younger Patriots team. As a result, some growing pains may occur. However, Belichick is a coach that has been through and seen it all. He will truly be put to the test. Undoubtedly, some tough decisions are ahead. As coach and general manager, all of the decisions rest in his hands. We take a look at three biggest challenges for Bill Belichick heading into this offseason.
Finding a playmaking tight end
Finding a playmaking tight end is one of the biggest challenges for Bill Belichick this offseason. Heading into the draft, the Patriots are missing a playmaking tight end. It was apparent in 2019 how much they missed Rob Gronkowski. Now, the challenge is on how to fill the void, and make the tight end position a source of production moving forward.
Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo are currently the two veteran tight ends on the roster. The organization needs more production there. LaCosse caught 13 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown last season. Izzo grabbed six catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. New England needs more production from the position over the course of the season.
When you look back in Patriots history and think about how they have used the tight end, the position has been valued greatly in the offense. A younger Ben Watson, Daniel Graham, and Gronkowski are all examples of that. Particularly when you think about the fact that New England is going to put a quarterback with less experience behind center, the tight end position is key.
The challenge for New England will be to either find a playmaking tight end in the draft, or try to see what they could get out of Izzo or LaCosse. Either way, Bill Belichick needs to make sure that the tight end is ready to be a focal point of the offense in 2020.