What's next for the New England Patriots?

After a tough showing in Super Bowl LX, New England has a big offseason ahead.

The New England Patriots found themselves watching as the confetti fell around them, neon green and navy dusting the field as the Seattle Seahawks started celebrating their victory. It was a disappointing finish for a team that had come so far in such a short amount of time. After all, this was Head Coach Mike Vrabel's first full year in New England trying to rebuild a program that had won eight total games in two years, and had whiffed on multiple drafts. It's hard to win the in the NFL and it's even harder if you can't hit on any draft picks AND strike out on free agency. That had been the story in New England for a few years now.

In came Mike Vrabel and his staff along with OC Josh McDaniels who coached Tom Brady on the way to his six Super Bowl victories. A team that was expected to win eight or nine games and possibly fight for a Wild Card spot found its way to a 14-3 regular season record and a Super Bowl appearance. Not too shabby.

Vrabel and company hit on their first draft with rookies Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson, Jared Wilson and Kyle Williams playing important roles throughout the season. Meanwhile, free agent acquisitions Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, Stefon Diggs and Carlton Davis III showed their value to help elevate this team to kings of the AFC once again.

So what happens now?

Well, first of all, rest. An NFL season doesn't seem long to audiences (it's truly only September to early February). However, for the players it's mentally and physically grueling, especially for rookies who aren't used to such a tedious schedule. The Patriots are a young team with a ton of cap space this spring that they'll be looking to utilize so they can get back to a Super Bowl and finish the job.

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Defense

The defense kept Super Bowl LX from getting out of hand and shouldn't need too much work this offseason. Remember, Vrabel adopted a roster and did his best to overhaul it but that can't all be done in one offseason. This team wasn't 100% built in his vision, but in the coming months that will change as additions are made now that New England is once again a destination.

The defense needs a real EDGE. K'Lavon Chaisson had fantastic moments in the playoffs but he showed he can't get the quarterback and be that threat consistently enough. A player like Maxx Crosby who has reportedly told the Raiders he won't play for them again would be a huge addition to the defense. Regardless of who ends up going to New England, the organization has to address this need.

Linebacker should be upgraded as well. Spillane was great when healthy but there's no reason the team can't get quicker and a bit younger on that side. Expect the team to look at the draft for this need as Executive VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf has talked about building through the draft in the past.

Offense

This is where the real work begins. The Offensive Line needs more work and offensive linemen don't just grow on trees. Look for New England to be aggressive updating this part of the roster (a la Chicago last season). Giving Maye more time in the pocket only leads to good things and this has to be a priority. A stronger Oline also gives the running game a real opportunity to be a threat, without a true running game this season we saw Drake Maye having to do more for the offense than he should have to.

Wide Receiver remains an issue with the team as it did even in the Tom Brady years. Mack Hollins, Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas have been great all year but the playoffs showed how important it is to be able to have a receiver who can separate. A true WR1 to pair with Diggs and Boutte would open the offense up and give Josh McDaniels more flexibility.

Finally, they truly need a Tight End. Hunter Henry has been great in his time in New England and a true security blanket for Maye. However, he isn't getting younger and you need a more dynamic player at that position that can really make an impact when the offense needs him.

Overall, New England has the pieces to get to another Super Bowl in the next few seasons. Their core players (Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez and Milton Williams) are all under contract and the team has flexibility to keep adding to its young base. There are great reasons to look forward to next season for the New England Patriots.