New England Patriots

New England Patriots
Current season
Established November 16, 1959 (November 16, 1959) Play in and headquartered in Gillette Stadium Foxborough, Massachusetts
New England Patriots logo New England Patriots wordmark Logo Wordmark
League/conference affiliations
American Football League (1960–1969) Eastern Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC East (1970–present)
Current uniform
250px
Team colors	Nautical blue, red, new century silver, white
Fight song	"I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
Mascot	Pat Patriot
Personnel
Owner(s)	Robert Kraft
Chairman	Robert Kraft
CEO	Robert Kraft
President	Jonathan Kraft
General manager	Bill Belichick (de facto)
Head coach	Bill Belichick
Team history
Boston Patriots (1960–1970) New England Patriots (1971–present)
Team nicknames
The Pats The Evil Empire The Boston TE Party (offensive TE corps; 2010–2012) The Boogeymen (defensive LB corps; 2019)
Championships
League championships (6) Super Bowl championships (6) 2001 (XXXVI), 2003 (XXXVIII), 2004 (XXXIX), 2014 (XLIX), 2016 (LI), 2018 (LIII)
Conference championships (11) AFC: 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
Division championships (22) AFL East: 1963 AFC East: 1978, 1986, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Playoff appearances (28)
AFL: 1963 NFL: 1976, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Home fields
Nickerson Field (1960–1962) Fenway Park (1963–1968) Alumni Stadium (1969) Harvard Stadium (1970) Foxboro Stadium (1971–2001) Gillette Stadium (2002–present)

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The Patriots play home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is 22 miles (35 km) southwest of downtown Boston. The franchise is owned by Robert Kraft, who purchased the team in 1994. Since then, the Patriots have become one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, and have sold out every preseason, regular season, and playoff home game. As of 2022, the Patriots are the ninth most valuable sports team in the world.

Founded in 1959 by Boston businessman Billy Sullivan as the Boston Patriots, the team was a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) before joining the NFL in 1970 through the AFL–NFL merger. The Patriots played their home games at various stadiums throughout Boston until the franchise moved to Foxborough in 1971. As part of the move, the team changed its name to the New England Patriots. Home games were played at Foxboro Stadium until 2002 when the stadium was demolished alongside the opening of Gillette Stadium. The team began utilizing Gillette Stadium for home games the same year.

The Patriots hold the records for most Super Bowl wins (6, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers), appearances (11), and losses (5, tied with the Denver Broncos). Generally unsuccessful prior to the 21st century, the franchise enjoyed a period of dominance under head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady from 2001 to 2019. The Brady–Belichick era, regarded as one of the greatest sports dynasties, would see the Patriots claim numerous league records (regular and postseason) as well as nearly every major Super Bowl record. NFL records held by the franchise include the most playoff wins (37), the most wins in a 10-year period (126 from 2003 to 2012), the longest winning streak of regular season and playoff games (21 from October 2003 to October 2004), the most consecutive winning seasons (19 from 2001 to 2019), the most consecutive conference championship appearances (8 from 2011 to 2018), the most consecutive division titles (11 from 2009 to 2019), the only undefeated 16-game regular season (2007), and the highest postseason winning percentage (.638).

Franchise history

Main article: History of the New England Patriots

Billy Sullivan era (1960–1987)

File:Minuteman statue 2 - Old North Bridge.jpg

The Patriots were named after the colonists who rebelled against British control during the Revolutionary War, which was locally relevant due to the colony of Massachusetts playing a pivotal role in American independence. (Image: Minute Man statue in Concord, Massachusetts)

On November 16, 1959, Boston business executive Billy Sullivan was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League (AFL). In addition to William and Joseph Sullivan, other initial investors in the team were John Ames, a lawyer, Dean Boylan, president of Boston Sand & Gravel, George Sargent, an insurance executive, Dom DiMaggio, former Boston Red Sox center fielder, Dan Marr, president of Marr Scaffolding Co, Ed McMann, president of the Northeast Packing Co, Paul Sonnabend, vice president of Hotel Corporation of America, and Edgar Turner, president of the 7-Up Distributors Corp. Each of the founders invested $25,000 to capitalize the team.

After the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, the league required that all teams reside in stadiums with at least 50,000 seats. Prior to 1970, The Patriots didn't have a regular home stadium. Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Alumni Stadium, served as home fields during their time in the American Football League. None of the four stadiums the Patriots had used up to that point qualified, and there was little room in Boston for a new stadium. Due to this, discussions about a possible relocation to Tampa, Florida occurred.

In 1971, the Patriots moved into a new stadium in suburban Foxborough, Massachusetts,built on land granted by the Bay State Raceway. The team was renamed the New England Patriots on March 22, 1971, to reflect its new location. The original choice, Bay State Patriots was rejected by the NFL. The stadium, to be known as Schaefer Stadium, was built at a cost of about $6.2 million in only 327 days. The stadium was one of the first stadiums in the country to be named after a corporate sponsor, as the Schaefer Brewing Company paid $1 million for naming rights.

Chuck Fairbanks years (1973–1978)

In 1973, the team drafted guard John Hannah in the 1973 NFL draft, who would become a perennial Pro Bowler and All-Pro for the franchise for the next 12 years. They also hired Chuck Fairbanks, who had been head coach at the University of Oklahoma, as head coach. Fairbanks was a marquee hire at the time, he was highly successful at Oklahoma. The Patriots improved in Fairbanks's second season, 1974, finishing 7–7. During the 1975 season, QB Plunkett was injured and the team ended the season 3–11. Following the 1975 season, Plunkett was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, and eventually would win two Super Bowls with the Oakland Raiders.

The draft picks acquired in the Plunkett trade were used to select defensive backs Mike Haynes and Tim Fox. The Patriots finished the 1976 season 11–3, their best record in team history to that point, and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1963 as a wild card-berth.

The Patriots played the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the playoffs. Late in the game, the Patriots were leading the Raiders, 21–17. On a 3rd-down play late in the 4th quarter, Patriots defensive tackle Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton sacked Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler, which would have forced the Raiders into a 4th-down situation. However, referee Ben Dreith called a roughing the passer penalty on Hamilton, nullifying the sack and giving the Raiders an automatic 1st down. The penalty was debated later, but gave the Raiders the opportunity to score. Stabler scored on a short touchdown run with less than a minute left, and the Raiders held on for a 24–21 win.

The 1977 season was a disappointing one for the Patriots, due in part to contract holdouts by offensive linemen John Hannah and Leon Gray. The Patriots finished 9–5, one game out of first place in the AFC East, and out of the playoffs.

In a 1978 preseason game against the Raiders, wide receiver Darryl Stingley was paralyzed from the neck down from a tackle by Oakland's Jack Tatum. The Patriots finished 11–5 for their first post-merger AFC East championship. However, hours before the final game of the regular season, coach Chuck Fairbanks announced he would be leaving the team to become head coach at the University of Colorado. Owner Billy Sullivan immediately suspended Fairbanks, and offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt and defensive coordinator Hank Bullough were left to coach the final game without a head coach. Fairbanks was reinstated for the playoffs, but the team lost its divisional playoff game 31–14 to the Houston Oilers, which also was the first Patriots post-season game at Schaefer Stadium.

For the next two years, the Patriots would suffer late-season losses that denied them return trips to the playoffs. In 1979, after starting 7–3, the team lost five out of their last eight games, to finish 9–7 and out of the playoffs. In 1980, with running back Sam Cunningham holding out all season, the Patriots started 6–1 but finished 10–6, again out of the playoffs. The Patriots continued to slide in 1981, finishing 2–14.

Following the 1981 season, Erhardt was fired and replaced by Ron Meyer, who had been the head coach at Southern Methodist University. The Patriots had the top draft pick overall in the 1982 NFL Draft and selected Kenneth Sims, a defensive end from the University of Texas at Austin.

In the strike-shortened 1982 season, the highlight of the Patriots' campaign was the "Snow Plow Game", a controversial 3–0 late-season win over the Miami Dolphins. The controversy came in the 4th quarter when the Patriots were preparing for a field goal attempt. Mark Henderson, a convict on work release, used a tractor to clear a swath of field to aid the Patriots. Kicker John Smith's 33-yard attempt was good, and they were the only points scored by either team that afternoon. The win helped put the Patriots in the playoffs, but the first-round rematch in Miami was won by the Dolphins.

In 1983, the naming-rights deal for the stadium with Schaefer expired, and the stadium was renamed Sullivan Stadium. Also in 1983, quarterback Tony Eason was drafted in the first round. Eason played sparingly in 1983, but became the Patriots' starting quarterback in 1984. The team ended the season 8-8.

Raymond Berry years (1984–1989)

The Patriots, with the top pick in the 1984 NFL Draft, selected Irving Fryar, a wide receiver from the University of Nebraska. With Tony Eason starting at quarterback, the Patriots got off to a 5–2 start. However, after a few losses, the Patriots fired head coach Ron Meyer and replaced him with former Baltimore Colts wide receiver Raymond Berry. The team won three of their first four games under Berry. The team lost several games late in the 1984 season, and finished out of the playoffs at 9–7.

After struggling to start the 1985 season, the team won six straight games and finished 11–5. They then beat the New York Jets 26–14, earning a wild card berth to the playoffs. In the divisional playoff against the Los Angeles Raiders, the Patriots forced six turnovers and won 27–20. Dawson started the game with a touchdown, then when the Patriots were kicking off in the 4th quarter, a fumble by the Raiders resulted in a touchdown for Jim Bowman. After beating the Raiders, the Patriots were set to play the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship. Days before the championship game, Irving Fryar was injured in a domestic incident and had to have his hand cast. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 31–14. Eason threw touchdowns to running back Tony Collins and tight end Derrick Ramsey early in the game. Later, a touchdown by Mosi Tatupu won the Patriots the AFC Championship of 1985. They went on to the Super Bowl XX, where they faced the Chicago Bears.

In the Super Bowl, the Patriots took an early 3–0 lead after Walter Payton fumbled in the 1st quarter, resulting a field goal by Tony Franklin. The Bears would scored 44 points, including a touchdown by rookie defensive lineman William "The Refrigerator" Perry. The Patriots made one touchdown, at the end to make the final score 46–10.

In 1986, the Patriots' strength was their passing game, led by Eason and receiver Stanley Morgan, who gained nearly 1,500 yards receiving. The Patriots led the AFC East with an 11–5 record and traveled to Denver to take on the Broncos in the divisional playoffs. A 4th-quarter touchdown pass from John Elway to Vance Johnson won the game for Denver.

In 1987, the Patriots acquired Doug Flutie from Natick, Massachusetts, who won the Heisman Trophy for Boston College in 1984. He was acquired by the Patriots during the 1987 players' strike and crossed the picket line to play his first game for the Patriots. However, late-season injuries put the Patriots out of playoff contention at 8–7. In 1988, the Patriots finished the season 9–7, narrowly missed the playoffs.

Sullivan sought to sell 50 percent of the team's shares to the public. The NFL turned down this request out of hand. Instead, it appointed a four-man committee vested with what amounted to "wartime powers" to resolve the Patriots' finances by any means necessary–up to and including selling the team. However, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle made clear that it would be untenable for the Patriots to remain under the Sullivans' control. For all intents and purposes, the Sullivan era was over.

Klam/Orthwein era (1988–1993)

The team was sold to Remington Products magnate Victor Kiam in 1988 for $90 million. In 1988, the Patriots missed the playoffs by one game. The 1989 season was bad for the team. Three of the team's defense players, Andre Tippett, Garin Veris and Ronnie Lippett, were injured in the same preseason game. The team rotated the quarterback job throughout the season. The Patriots waived Eason during the season and he was picked up by the Jets. The Patriots finished the season 5–11.

Following the season, Flutie left for the Canadian Football League, and general manager Dick Steinberg left to take a job with the New York Jets. Berry was fired and replaced by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Rod Rust for 1990. The Patriots finished with the worst season in franchise history in 1990 – a 1–15 record.

After the 1990 season, the Patriots changed their front office. Rust was fired and replaced by Dick MacPherson, who had been the coach at Syracuse University. Additionally, Sam Jankovich, who had been athletic director at the University of Miami and oversaw the improvement of their athletic program, was brought on as CEO of the Patriots.

The Patriots improved in 1991. Hugh Millen took over as quarterback partway through the season. The Patriots ended the season at 6–10 with several upsets over playoff teams, including wins against the Minnesota Vikings and future AFC Champion Buffalo Bills.

In May 1992, St. Louis businessman James Orthwein purchased Kiam's majority ownership of the Patriots. Rumors of a possible move of the Patriots to St. Louis, Missouri occurred given Orthwein's desired to bring an NFL team to his hometown of St. Louis. The Patriots finished the 1992 season, 2–14, leading to the departures of MacPherson and Jankovich.

Robert Kraft era (1994–present)

Bill Parcells years (1993–1996)

In 1993, the Patriots hired Bill Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl winner, as head coach. Also in 1993, the uniforms and logo were changed. The old "Pat Patriot" logo was retired and replaced with a Patriot head, that many fans would eventually call "Flying Elvis". The team's primary color changed from red to blue, and the helmets from white to silver. The 1993 season began with a 1–11 record, but ended the season by winning their last four games in a row, over Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and over Miami in overtime in the finale, eliminating the Dolphins from the playoffs.

Throughout the 1993 season, rumors continued that the team was going to move to St. Louis. In the 1993 off-season, the issue reached its climax. Orthwein offered Robert Kraft, the team's landlord since 1988, $75 million to break the lease on Foxboro Stadium, which bound the team to continue playing there until at least 2002, however Kraft refused. Orthwein was not willing to continue operating the team in New England, and put it up for sale. Kraft knew that the terms of the operating covenant required any potential buyer to deal with him, and made an offer to buy the team himself for a then-NFL record $160 million in 1994.

Halfway through the 1994 season, the Patriots were 3–6 and had lost 4 straight games when they faced the Minnesota Vikings for Week 10. Drew Bledsoe started a second-half comeback by switching to a no-huddle offense. Bledsoe set single-game records for pass attempts and completions, and the Patriots won the game 26–20 in overtime. The Patriots won their last seven games of the regular season, finishing 10–6 and making the playoffs as a wild card. In the first round of the playoffs, the Patriots were beaten by the Cleveland Browns 20–13.

The Patriots won their opening day match against the Browns. Martin had a good season as a rookie, winning the conference rushing title and was named Rookie of the Year. Bledsoe struggled with injuries, the team struggled with inconsistency, and the Patriots finished 6–10.

During the 1995, the Patriots had their first home appearance on Monday Night Football since 1981. During the Patriots' last appearance on the program, a number of fans in attendance proved to be rowdy and uncontrollable, and there were over 60 arrests at the game. As a result of this behavior, the Town of Foxborough and the NFL refused to schedule Monday night home games in New England. During 1995, Robert Kraft lobbied for the Town of Foxborough and the NFL to schedule the Patriots on a Monday night. The NFL granted Kraft's request, scheduling the Patriots on Monday, October 23, in a game against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots won the game, 27–14, and the crowd was peaceful and orderly, with only a handful of isolated disturbances and arrests.

The Patriots started out lackluster in 1996. After an early-season loss to the Redskins at home dropped the Patriots to 3–3, the Patriots won their next four games, and finished the season 11–5. The Patriots won the AFC East and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs as the #2 seed. The Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 28–3 in a divisional playoff game. They then beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 20–6 in the first AFC Championship game played in Foxboro. The team advanced to Super Bowl XXXI against the Green Bay Packers.

In the months and years after Kraft's purchase of the Patriots, relations between Kraft and Parcells were increasingly strained. This was primarily due to a struggle over Parcells' authority over football operations as Kraft wanted Parcells to yield some of his authority over personnel moves to a separate general manager. The conflict climaxed in the days leading up to the Super Bowl, with rumors that Parcells would leave the Patriots after the season to take the vacant head coaching job with the New York Jets. During the game the Patriots were close to the Packers for much of the game, and took the lead briefly in the 2nd quarter. However, two long Brett Favre touchdown passes and a Super Bowl record 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by MVP Desmond Howard gave the Packers their 12th title. The final score was 35–21.

Pete Carroll years (1997–1999)

After the Super Bowl, Parcells resigned from the Patriots. Robert Kraft hired Pete Carroll as the new head coach of the Patriots. In 1997, the Patriots won the AFC East with a 10–6 record, but some key losses meant the team had to play in the wild card round in the playoffs. After beating the Miami Dolphins 17–3 in Foxboro, the Patriots played the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. A late fumble won the game for Pittsburgh, 7–6.

During the 1998 offseason, the Patriots offered restricted free agent running back Curtis Martin a $1.153 million contract. However, the Jets signed Martin, and per restricted free agency rules, ceded their 1st- and 3rd-round picks in the 1998 NFL Draft to the Patriots. With the 1st-round pick, the Patriots selected running back, Robert Edwards.

Their game against the Buffalo Bills on November 29, 1998 was controversial due to a series of questionable calls. With under a minute to go and down by four points, the Patriots played a long drive. However, the Buffalo defense appeared to stop the Patriots on 4th down with a juggled catch out of bounds. The referees needed to determine whether receiver Shawn Jefferson was inbounds, caught the ball, and achieved first down yardage. The referee on the sideline signaled first down after a conference with other officials. Several Bills claimed one said "just give it to them" in the huddle. Television instant replays showed that Jefferson was short of first down yardage, but the NFL had discontinued use of instant replay after the 1991 season. This call was followed by a questionable pass interference decision made in the end zone on what would have been the game's final play. Bledsoe hit tight end Ben Coates for a touchdown on the final untimed play of the game. In protest, the Bills left the field.

Drew Bledsoe and Terry Glenn were both injured later the season, and the Patriots got the last playoff spot with a 9–7 record. The Patriots lost 25–10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first playoff game.

The Patriots opened the 1999 season with a 30–28 victory over the New York Jets, followed by hosting the Indianapolis Colts and second-year quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning raced the Colts to a 28–7 halftime lead, but was limited to just 13 second-half passing yards as Drew Bledsoe threw three touchdowns. After an Edgerrin James fumble, Adam Vinatieri kicked the winning field goal in a 31–28 final. After a 27–3 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Coates went to the media to protest that he was not being thrown to enough. After this, the team stumbled and finished 8–8 and out of the playoffs. Following the season, Carroll was fired.

Bill Belichick years (2000–present)

See also: Brady-Belichick era

File:Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.jpg

Quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick both arrived with the Patriots in 2000, over the next 20 years they would cement themselves into being widely regarded as one of the greatest QB-HC duos of all time.

Robert Kraft attempted to hire Jets assistant head coach Bill Belichick for the Patriots' head coaching position. Belichick had been an assistant coach under Parcells with the Patriots in 1996, but followed Parcells to the Jets. After the 1999 season, Parcells resigned as head coach of the Jets and retired from NFL coaching. Belichick succeeded him as head coach, but resigned at a press conference the following day, citing the uncertainty over the Jets' ownership after the death of Leon Hess as his reason. The Jets denied Belichick permission to speak with other teams and the NFL upheld Belichick's contractual obligations to the Jets. Belichick filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. After negotiations, the Patriots and Jets agreed to a compensation package that allowed Belichick to become the Patriots' head coach. The deal had the Patriots send their first round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft and fourth and seventh round picks in the 2001 Draft to the Jets, while receiving the Jets' fifth round selection in 2001 and seventh round pick in 2002. Belichick restructured the team's personnel department in the offseason. The Patriots finished the 2000 season 5–11 and missing the playoffs.

In 2001, Drew Bledsoe signed a 10-year contract extension and offensive tackle Bruce Armstrong retired. Wide receiver Terry Glenn didn't show up to training camp in August and was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the season due to violating substance abuse policies. During the training camp, quarterbacks coach Dick Rehbein died of cardiac arrest on August 6 at the age of 45.

Super Bowl XXXVI champions (2001)

The Patriots lost their opener to the Cincinnati Bengals, and in the first post-9/11 game, against the Jets, Bledsoe was injured, shearing a blood vessel in his chest after being tackled by Jets linebacker Mo Lewis. Tom Brady, a sixth round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, took over for Bledsoe. He remained the team's starting quarterback after Bledsoe was cleared to play two months later. During the season, first-round draft pick Richard Seymour anchored the defensive line and Antowain Smith, a free agent signed from Buffalo, ran over 1,000 yards. The Patriots won their final six games to capture the AFC East with an 11–5 record. The Patriots won a first-round bye as the #2 seed in the playoffs.

In the final game played at Foxboro Stadium, the Patriots hosted the Oakland Raiders in a snowstorm. This game became known as the "Tuck Rule Game", when a play originally ruled to be a Brady fumble was reversed by referee Walt Coleman as an incomplete pass based upon the obscure "tuck rule." After review, Coleman ruled that, because Brady's arm was moving forward when he lost the ball, he was deemed to have been in the act of throwing when he lost control of the ball. Had the original ruling stood, the Raiders would have clinched the win. Instead, the Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri tied the game with a 45-yard field goal in the final 30 seconds. The Raiders did not attempt to run a play at the end of regulation and, after losing the coin toss to start overtime, didn't get the ball again. The Patriots drove downfield on their opening possession and won the game, 16–13.

The Patriots faced the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. After Brady injured his ankle in the second quarter, Bledsoe came off the sideline and led the team to their only offensive touchdown of the game. In the second half, with two special teams touchdowns and two fourth-quarter interceptions of passes thrown by Pittsburgh's Kordell Stewart, the Patriots upset the Steelers 24–17 to advance to Super Bowl XXXVI.

Quarterback Tom Brady led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins and nine Super Bowl appearances in his 19–year tenure with Patriots. Along with his Patriots franchise records, Brady also holds many NFL league records and has multiple awards. He is generally known as the greatest Patriot of all time.

In the Super Bowl, the Patriots faced the St. Louis Rams, led by league MVP Kurt Warner. During the game, Bill Belichick used a defensive game plan that used the blitz sparingly, but chipped the Rams receivers and running back Marshall Faulk as they went into their patterns. This plan forced three turnovers.

Belichick's defense held the Rams off until the 4th quarter, but after trailing 17–3 early in the quarter, St. Louis scored two touchdowns to tie the game at 17–17. With 1:30 to go and no time-outs, Brady led New England's offense downfield to the Rams' 30-yard line, setting up Adam Vinatieri, who won the game with a 48-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Patriots their first Super Bowl win. Brady was selected Super Bowl MVP.

The Patriots' victory parade in Boston was attended by approximately 1.2 million fans. During the offseason, Brady signed a long-term contract with the team and Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills for a 1st-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.

Following their victory in Super Bowl XXXVI, the Patriots won their first game in the new Gillette Stadium in the NFL's prime-time Monday Night Football opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. After three wins to begin the season, including a 44–7 road win against the division rival New York Jets, the team lost five of its next seven games. In the final week of the season, the Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins on an overtime Adam Vinatieri field goal to give both teams a 9–7 record. The Jets also finished with a 9–7 record after a win over the Green Bay Packers. Due to their record, the Jets won the tiebreaker for the division title, which eliminated the Patriots and Dolphins from the playoffs.

Super Bowl XXXVIII champions (2003)

The Patriots had the NFL's best record at 14–2 and earned the top seed in the AFC 2003–04 playoffs, earning home-field advantage. Their opponent in the divisional playoffs was the Tennessee Titans. Played in a temperature of 8 °F (−13 °C), the Patriots and Titans played close until Adam Vinatieri kicked the go-ahead field goal with 4 minutes left. An incomplete Steve McNair pass on 4th down with 1:40 left won the game 17–14 for New England. The Patriots faced the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC Championship and won 24–14. The Patriots returned to the Super Bowl, facing the Carolina Panthers.

The first half of Super Bowl XXXVIII was a defensive battle between the teams. The teams traded touchdowns late in the 2nd quarter, then more quick strikes by both teams made the score 14–10 Patriots at halftime. The 3rd quarter was scoreless, but running back Antowain Smith scored on the first play of the 4th quarter to make it 21–10. Carolina scored two more touchdowns, but failed to convert on both to take a 22–21 lead. The Patriots played a trick pass to linebacker Mike Vrabel, followed by Kevin Faulk's run for a two-point conversion that put the Patriots up 29–22 with 2:51 left to play. The Panthers drove downfield and Ricky Proehl's late touchdown catch tied the game, 29–29 with 1:08 to play. Brady led the Patriots on a drive and Vinatieri kicked a 41-yard field goal with four seconds left. The Patriots won their second Super Bowl, 32–29, and Brady was once again named MVP.

Super Bowl XXXIX champions (2004)

Following their Super Bowl win, the Patriots traded a second-round draft pick for Cincinnati Bengals' running back Corey Dillon, who replaced Antowain Smith. The Patriots set the NFL record for consecutive regular season victories after winning their first six games of the season. During a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 31, cornerback Ty Law was injured. Combined with the loss of other starting cornerback Tyrone Poole two weeks earlier, the Patriots completed the regular season and playoffs with second-year cornerback Asante Samuel, undrafted free agent Randall Gay, and wide receiver Troy Brown at cornerback.

File:Patriots n bush.jpg

President George W. Bush poses with the New England Patriots during a ceremony honoring the Super Bowl XXXIX champions in the Rose Garden.

With a 14–2 record and the second seed in the AFC playoffs, the Patriots defeated the Colts at home in the playoffs. The Patriots then defeated the top-seeded Steelers on the road, 41–27, in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots' defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX 24–21 in their second straight Super Bowl victory. As of 2021, the 2003–2004 New England Patriots are the most recent team to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

Two weeks after winning Super Bowl XXXIX, linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a stroke. Also during the off-season cornerback Ty Law was released. During Week 3, Rodney Harrison was injured and didn't play for the rest of the season. Beginning the season with a 4–4 record, the Patriots lost their first game at home since 2002 against the San Diego Chargers in Week 4. Bruschi returned to the field against the Buffalo Bills on October 31. The team ended the season on a 5–1 run to finish 10–6, earning their third straight AFC East title. With the #4 seed in the AFC playoffs, the Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 28–3 in the Wild Card round. The Patriots fell to the Denver Broncos 27–13 on the road in the Divisional Playoffs, committing five turnovers in the game.

The Patriots entered the 2006 season without their two starting wide receivers from 2005; David Givens left in free agency and Deion Branch was traded to Seattle after a contract hold out. They were replaced by Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney. Losses in November ended the team's streak of 57 games without consecutive losses, three games shy of the NFL record. With a 12–4 record and their fourth straight division title, the Patriots entered the playoffs as the #4 seed, defeating the New York Jets 37–16 in the Wild Card game of the playoffs. A 24–21 win over the top-seeded San Diego Chargers on the road set the Patriots up to face the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship. Despite a 21–3 lead in the 2nd quarter, the Patriots stumbled down the stretch and the Colts emerged with a 38–34 victory.

In 2007, the Patriots added Donte' Stallworth, a free agent, and traded for Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Welker led the NFL in receptions in 2007, and Moss set an NFL record with 23 touchdown catches. In September, head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots were penalized by the NFL for videotaping opponents' defensive signals from an unauthorized location during their Week 1 game against the New York Jets. The press called this situation Spygate. Belichick was fined $500,000, the maximum allowed under league rules, and the Patriots were fined $250,000 and required to forfeit their first round pick in the 2008 draft. The Patriots won the AFC East before their eleventh game, the fourth time since the NFL introduced the 16-game schedule in 1978 that a team won a division title by its eleventh game. The Patriots finished the regular season with the first 16–0 record in NFL history. During the game, Brady and Moss connected on two touchdown passes, with Moss setting his 23-touchdown record and Brady setting a then-NFL record with 50 touchdown passes on the season. It was the first undefeated regular season in the NFL since the 1972 Miami Dolphins finished 14–0. Tom Brady earned his first NFL MVP award, while the Patriots' offense broke multiple records, including those for points scored and total touchdowns.

With the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs, the Patriots defeated both the Jacksonville Jaguars 31–20 and San Diego Chargers 21–12 before advancing to Super Bowl XLII. The Patriots had the chance for a perfect 19–0 season with a victory over the New York Giants and analysts saw the 2007 Patriots as being the greatest team in NFL history.

Despite being Super Bowl favorites, the Patriots faltered against a Giants drive late in the fourth quarter. A dramatic pass from Eli Manning to David Tyree put the Giants deep in Patriots territory, and a Manning touchdown pass to Plaxico Buress gave the Giants a 17–14 lead with 35 seconds left.

In the 2008 season opener, quarterback Tom Brady suffered a serious knee injury and missed the remainder of the season. Backup quarterback Matt Cassel replaced Brady. During Cassel's first start in Week 2 he led the Patriots to a win, which extended the team's regular-season winning streak record to 21 games.

The Dolphins, Ravens and Patriots all finished the season with identical 11–5 records. Miami qualified for the playoffs by winning the AFC East division over the Patriots on the fourth divisional tiebreaker. Baltimore qualified for the playoffs as a wild card team, defeating the Patriots on the second wild card tiebreaker.

In the 2009 season opener on Monday Night Football, the Patriots celebrated their 50th season with an American Football League "legacy game" against the Buffalo Bills. Down 11 points late in the 4th quarter, the Patriots scored two touchdowns, winning the game. It was also Brady's first game back after his injury in the 2008 opener. In November, the 6–2 Patriots traveled to face the undefeated Indianapolis Colts; with a six-point lead late in the 4th quarter, the Patriots tried to convert a 4th and 2 situation inside their own 30-yard line but failed, setting up a Colts touchdown and the Patriots' third loss of the season. After losing two of their next three games, the Patriots went on to win three in a row to secure a division title. With the #3 seed in the AFC playoffs, the Patriots faced the Baltimore Ravens at home in the Wild Card Playoffs. The Ravens opened up a 24–0 lead in the 1st quarter, and the Patriots ended their season with a 33–14 loss.

The Patriots went into 2010 without either a named offensive or defensive coordinator following the departure of defensive coordinator Dean Pees. After beating Cincinnati in the season opener, they lost 28–14 to the Jets. They finished the season 14–2. By defeating the Bills in Week 16, New England swept that team for the sixth consecutive season, along with earning another AFC East title and the #1 seed. Tom Brady finished the regular season with an NFL-record 335 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, while the Patriots committed an NFL-record low 10 turnovers on the season. The Patriots were favored to go make the Suoer Bowl, but lost to the New York Jets in the divisional round of the playoffs.

In the first game of the 2011 season, the Patriots played the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football, and New England won 38–24. Brady set a personal single-game record with 517 passing yards, highlighted by an NFL record-tying 99-yard touchdown reception by Wes Welker. They beat the San Diego Chargers in Week 2 in their home opener, but their 15-game win streak against the Buffalo Bills ended when Tom Brady threw four interceptions, and the Patriots lost 34–31 on a last-second field goal. The team then won three games in a row. During the Patriots' bye in Week 7, an incident occurred where tight end Rob Gronkowski was seen in a photo with an adult film actress wearing his game shirt. Following a 25–17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, wide receiver Julian Edelman was arrested for indecent assault following an incident in a Back Bay nightclub on Halloween. The Patriots won their last eight games to take the top seed in the AFC playoffs.

After defeating the Denver Broncos 45–10 in the Divisional Game, the Patriots won the AFC Championship Game over the Baltimore Ravens 23–20, after Ravens receiver Lee Evans dropped a potential touchdown and kicker Billy Cundiff missed a game-tying 31-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds. The Patriots lost to the NFC champion New York Giants 21–17 in Super Bowl XLVI.

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Tight end Rob Gronkowski was a staple of the 2010s offense, fortifying what is widely known as the greatest QB-TE tandem of all-time with Tom Brady. Gronkowski, nicknamed "Gronk", holds many Patriots records, including most receiving touchdowns (79) in franchise history. Gronkowski also set the all–time single–season touchdowns record for tight ends in 2011 (receiving and total, 17 receiving and 1 rushing).

In their 2012 season opener, the Patriots defeated the Tennessee Titans before losing at home to the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 3, New England lost to the Baltimore Ravens 30–28 on a last-second field goal. The first three games of the season were officiated by replacement referees, as the regular referees were locked out during a contract dispute. The replacement referees were criticized, and at the end of the Ravens game, Bill Belichick made contact with a referee as he was leaving the field to argue a call, which the league fined him for. In Week 4, the Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 52–28. After that, the Patriots went on the defeat the Denver Broncos 31–21, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks 24–23 the following week. The Patriots then defeated the New York Jets in overtime, 29–26, and continued on a seven-game win streak. The Patriots ended the season as the #2 seed in the AFC. The Patriots were given a bye week before they had to face the Houston Texans, who they defeated 41–28. They then had faced the Baltimore Ravens and lost 28–13.

The 2013 season saw turnover on the offensive side, as Wes Welker, signed a contract with the Denver Broncos, and tight end Aaron Hernandez was released from the team due to legal issues. The Patriots opened the season 4–0 before losing to the Cincinnati Bengals 13–6 in Week 5. After a home win against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, the Patriots fell to the rival New York Jets 30–27 on a converted Nick Folk field goal following an unsportsmanlike penalty to rookie Chris Jones. The team then had a pair of wins against the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers, but lost 24–20 on Monday Night Football to the Carolina Panthers following the bye week on a controversial end-game interception by Luke Kuechly. New England finished as the AFC East champions, earning the No. 2 seed and a first round bye. The Patriots were able to defeat the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round 43-22, however would fall to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game 26-16.

Super Bowl XLIX champions (2014)

In 2014, the Patriots finished 12–4 and won their sixth straight AFC East title. They were the top seed, had a first round bye and had home field advantage for the AFC playoffs. The Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 35–31 in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. They then defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45–7 to advance to Super Bowl XLIX against the defending Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks. After a scoreless first quarter, both teams exchanged two touchdowns to make it 14–14 at halftime. Seattle then scored a field goal and a touchdown to take a 10-point lead going into the final quarter. The Patriots rallied, scoring two touchdowns to take a 28–24 lead with 2:02 remaining. After the Seahawks drove all the way to the 1 yard line with under a minute to go, rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler caught an interception on Seattle's final offensive play, winning the game for the Patriots. Brady won his third Super Bowl MVP award.

The Patriots started the year 10–0, before losing on Sunday Night Football to the Denver Broncos, 30–24 in overtime. During the season, multiple players were injured; at one point nineteen players were placed on injured reserve. At the end of the season, they earned a first round bye, with the second seed in the AFC.

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Patriots defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 27–20. Advancing to the AFC Championship game, the Patriots were matched up against the top-seeded Broncos. The final game in the Tom Brady–Peyton Manning rivalry was a defensive struggle. The Broncos beat the Patriots 20–18 and advanced to Super Bowl 50.

Super Bowl LI champions (2016)

Due to sanctions on the team stemming from Deflategate, Tom Brady didn't play in the first four games of the 2016 season. The Patriots used quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who helped the Patriots win their opening night game against the Arizona Cardinals. After a shoulder injury to Garoppolo in the second game of the season against the Miami Dolphins, rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett entered the game and helped the Patriots win. On Thursday Night Football, Brissett helped the Patriots secure a 27–0 shutout victory against the Houston Texans. The Patriots lost their fourth game at home in a shutout to the Buffalo Bills. Brady returned the following week and helped the Patriots win four games. The Patriots closed the regular season winning seven straight games, along with their eighth consecutive division title and the #1 seed overall in the AFC.

In the playoffs, the Patriots hosted the Texans in the Divisional Round. The first half was tight, but the Patriots pulled away from Houston, winning 34–16. In the AFC Championship game, the Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36–17 and advanced to the Super Bowl.

On February 5, 2017, the Patriots faced the Atlanta Falcons, which included NFL MVP Matt Ryan, in Super Bowl LI. Three bad quarters resulted in the Patriots being down 28–3. The Patriots made a comeback with Tom Brady going 43-for-62 with 466 yards, two touchdowns and one interception to help the Patriots tie the score 28–28 in the closing minutes of the game. In the first overtime in Super Bowl history, the Patriots won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. Brady led the Patriots down the field, to the 1-yard line of the Falcons. Running back James White ran a toss into the end zone, giving the Patriots a 34–28 comeback victory and their second league title in three seasons. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for a record fourth time and surpassed Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw with his fifth Super Bowl victory as a quarterback, the most all-time.

The Patriots lost several players during the offseason, including halfback LeGarrette Blount and cornerback Logan Ryan. To fill these vacancies, the Patriots signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore and running backs Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead. They also traded a second round draft pick to the Carolina Panthers for defensive end Kony Ealy.

During their first game versus the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chiefs beat them at home 42–27. During the game, the Patriots' defense allowed 537 total yards. The Patriots then beat the Saints and Texans. After their loss at home to the Carolina Panthers, the Patriots went 11–1 for the rest of the season, finishing 13–3. In Week 15 at Pittsburgh, the Patriots came back in the fourth quarter to take the lead, 27–24. On the ensuing drive by the Steelers, a short pass from Ben Roethlisberger to wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster turned into a gain, leading the Steelers to the 10-yard line with 34 seconds left. On Roethelisberger's next throw, tight end Jesse James caught a potential game-winning touchdown, but it was overturned after a review where officials ruled that James lost control as the ball hit the ground. The Patriots won 27–24, winning another AFC East title and #1 seed.

After beating the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round, the Patriots faced the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the fourth quarter, Brady led the team back from a ten-point deficit to take the lead, 24–20 and win the game . The Patriots would face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, with Brady setting a Super Bowl record with 505 yards passing. Brady tried to lead a comeback to win the game in the fourth quarter, but defensive end Brandon Graham strip-sacked Brady, and the ball was recovered by the Eagles. Along with a failed last-second Hail Mary pass, resulted in the Patriots losing 41–33. Both teams would set an NFL record for most combined yards in a single game with 1,151.

Super Bowl LIII champions (2018)

During the offseason, the Patriots lost left tackle Nate Solder, right tackle Cameron Fleming, wide receiver Brandin Cooks, starting running back Dion Lewis, and cornerback Malcolm Butler. Also during the offseason, they added left tackle Trent Brown, Bengals running back Jeremy Hill, and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. The Patriots also drafted left tackle Isaiah Wynn and running back Sony Michel in the first round.

In September, the Patriots signed Josh Gordon. During the Patriots week 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts Brady became the third Quarterback to throw 500 touchdowns in his career. The Patriots had a six-game winning streak until losing at the Tennessee Titans in Week 10. In weeks 14 and 15, the team had back-to-back losses against the Dolphins and Steelers, both on the road. In late December, the Patriots lost Gordon, who left due to health reasons. They finished the season with an 11–5 record and a first-round bye.

The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the divisional round, routing them 41–28, with rookie Sony Michel scoring 3 times on rushing touchdowns. In the AFC Championship, they faced the Chiefs on the road. The Patriots had a 14–0 lead at halftime. Mahomes was able to rally back the Chiefs to a 21–17 lead in the 4th. The score went back and forth until the Chiefs kicked a field goal, sending the game to overtime at 31–31. The Patriots won the coin toss and Brady drove the Patriots down the field to score a Rex Burkhead rushing touchdown resulting in a 37–31 victory.

In Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, the Patriots faced off against the Los Angeles Rams. The game remained tied 3–3 until the 4th quarter, when Brady and Gronkowski completed two long passes to put the Patriots inside the Rams 5 yard line, where Sony Michel would score the game's only touchdown, winning the game 13–3. Wide receiver Julian Edelman was named Super Bowl MVP, with 10 catches for 141 yards. The sixth Super Bowl victory tied the Patriots with the Steelers for most all time.

On September 9, 2019, the Patriots signed Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown, whom was released by the Oakland Raiders following several off-the-field controversies, and a signing which some compared to the Randy Moss trade in 2007. Brown would last only one game with New England, getting released on September 22, 2019 due to more off-the-field issues. New England started the season with an 8–0 record. The streak ended with a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The team won its 11th consecutive AFC East division title after a 24–17 win against the Buffalo Bills in Week 16, but New England didn't get a first-round bye for the playoffs.

The Patriots were the #3 seed in the AFC playoffs, but lost to the Titans at home during the wild card round 20–13. This was Tom Brady's last game with the Patriots.

On March 17, 2020, Brady announced that he would not re-sign with the Patriots. On March 20, 2020, Brady signed a two-year, $50-million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On April 21, 2020, the Patriots traded the rights to retired tight end Rob Gronkowski to the Buccaneers along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Prior to the 2020 season, the Patriots announced a uniform change, opting to go with their former NFL Color Rush jerseys as their new home uniforms with a corresponding white uniform with blue pants as their road outfits. Both uniforms featured truncated shoulder striping as a nod to the "Pat Patriot" uniforms. Former Carolina Panthers quarterback, 2011 NFL draft first overall pick, and 2015 NFL season MVP Cam Newton was announced as New England's new starting quarterback prior to the season. In addition, several veteran players such as Patrick Chung, Brandon Bolden, Marcus Cannon, and Dont'a Hightower opted out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the Buffalo Bills beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 14, the Patriots were out of contention for the AFC East championship. They were also eliminated from playoff contention with the loss to the Dolphins in week 15. This was only the 4th time since 2000 the Patriots had missed the playoffs and failed to win the division. In addition, their streak of 10+ win seasons that dated back to their 2003 Super Bowl-winning season, which was an NFL record, was also snapped.

On August 31, 2021, the Patriots released quarterback Cam Newton during final preseason roster cuts. As a result, rookie Mac Jones became the starting quarterback for the team. The Patriots started the season 2–4, but went on to win seven consecutive games, battling Buffalo for the division crown throughout the season. New England finished the season 10–7 in the first NFL season with 17 games, clinching the #6 seed in the playoffs, their first without Brady since 1998. They would lose to the Bills 47–17 in the Wild Card round, their worst playoff loss under Belichick. Despite the playoff loss, Jones broke several rookie quarterback records for the team.

Logos and uniforms

Logos

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The "Pat Patriot" logo was the primary logo of the franchise through from 1961 to 1992. Today, it is used as a throwback/alternate logo.

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The Patriots' helmet since 2000 (displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame)

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The Patriots' dynasty era uniforms from 2000–2019 (displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame)

New England Patriots past wordmarks

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The Patriots' wordmark used in the Sullivan era between 1960 and 1992

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The Patriots' wordmark used from 1993 to 2013, the blue was darkened in 2000. A version with the "Flying Elvis" attached to the top was commonly seen

The Patriots original helmet logo was a simple tricorne hat, used only for the 1960 season. From 1961 to 1992, the Patriots used a logo of a Revolutionary War minuteman hiking a football. The Patriots wordmark logo during this time consisted of a western-style font. The minuteman logo became known as the "Pat Patriot" logo, which later became the name of the team's mascot.

In 1979, the Patriots worked with NFL Properties to design a new, streamlined logo, to replace the complex Pat Patriot logo. The new logo featured the blue and white profile of a minuteman in a tricorne hat set against a flag showing three red stripes separated by two white stripes. Team owner Billy Sullivan decided to put the new logo up to a vote against Pat Patriot with the fans at the September 23 home game against the San Diego Chargers, using a sound level meter to judge the crowd's reaction. The new logo was decidedly rejected by the crowd in favor of Pat, and the concept was shelved.

In 1993, a new logo was unveiled involving the gray face of a minuteman wearing a red, white and blue hat that begins as a tricorne and transitions into a flowing banner-like design. It became popularly known as the "Flying Elvis" due to many observing its resemblance to the profile of a young Elvis Presley. A new script logo was introduced as well in tandem with the "Flying Elvis", utilizing a cursive font.

In 2000, the blue color on the "Flying Elvis" head and the cursive wordmark was switched from royal blue to nautical blue to concide with the uniform change in the new millennium.

On July 3, 2013, the Patriots unveiled a new wordmark to compliment the "Flying Elvis", which replaced the script of their cursive typeface previous one with modernized block letters (colored in blue or white depending on the background), and modified the "Flying Elvis" to be underneath instead of flowing up-top. While appearing everywhere else, it was not applied on the uniforms until the 2015 season due to NFL uniform policies.

1960–1992

The uniforms worn by the Patriots in the Sullivan era from 1960 to 1992, with minor variations in the striping throughout the years. The club's primary uniforms remained largely unchanged from the franchises' inaugural season until 1993. The face mask color was gray from 1960–1981, white from 1982–1989 and red from 1990–1992.

The Patriots originally wore red jerseys with white block numbering at home, and white jerseys with red block numbering on the road. Both uniforms used white pants and white helmets, first with the hat logo over the player's number, then with the "Pat Patriot" logo starting in 1961. A blue stripe was added to the two red helmet stripes in 1964. The numbers on both the home and away jerseys gained a blue outline in 1973. In 1979, the Patriots began the first of many sporadic runs of wearing red pants with the white jerseys. The red pants were dropped in 1981, but returned in 1984. After being dropped again in 1988, they were used again from 1990 to 1992.

1993–1999

The uniforms worn by the Patriots in the early Kraft era from 1993 to 1999, with alterations specifically in the numbers, shoulders, and stripes between 1993–1995 before settling on a look until 2000. The face mask color also changed from silver to red in 1994.

The Patriots underwent a complete identity overhaul before the 1993 season, starting with the introduction of the aforementioned "Flying Elvis" logo. The new uniforms consisted of a royal blue home jersey and a white away jersey. The helmet was silver with the Flying Elvis logo and no additional striping. Both uniforms used silver pants, originally with stripes designed to look like those flowing from the Flying Elvis, but these were changed to simple red and blue stripes after one season. When they debuted, both the home and away jerseys used red block numbers with a blue and white outline, but after one season the home uniforms switched to the now-familiar white with a red outline.

In 1995, the Patriots switched the block numbers to a more modern rounded number font with a dropshadow. The Patriots were one of the first adopters of custom numbers, a trend that would grow drastically over the next 20 years.

2000–2019

The primary uniforms worn by the Patriots in the dynasty era from 2000 to 2019, including a red throwback version released in 2002, then not seen again until 2010. The pictured red throwback had minor differences from each variation from 2002, 2010–2012 before being shelved due to NFL helmet policies. The Patriots also wore red AFL-patched throwback jerseys (for the 50th anniversary of the AFL) in 2009 along with the other original AFL franchises, however those jerseys were more based off the 1961 season specific appearance.

In 2000, the Patriots then became one of the few teams at the time to drop the rounded numbers and switch back to block numbers. The shade of blue was switched for the first time in the franchises' history, from royal to nautical blue. The jerseys once again had the number on the shoulders while the logo moved back to the sleeves. "New Century" silver stripes were also added to the home jersey, with nautical blue stripes appearing on the away jersey. The Patriots, unsatisfied with the 1990s white-on-silver road look, also took the opportunity to introduce blue pants to be worn with the white jersey, offering a better contrast. To better match the blue pants, the number on the white jersey was switched from red to blue.

Though the Patriots had generally worn silver pants with the blue jerseys, and navy pants with the white jerseys, they did wear an all-blue set during the 2002 season. On two consecutive home games that season, the Patriots wore blue tops with their road blue pants and white socks; they lost both games (Week 6 vs. the Packers, and Week 8 vs. the Broncos). The team would not wear an all-blue set again until the introduction of the Color Rush uniforms in 2016.

2020–present

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The primary uniforms worn by the Patriots in the post-dynasty era from 2020–present, with the red throwback returning for use starting in the 2022 season, due to the NFL reverting their helmet policies. It is the same version as the 2012 dynasty-era alternate.

For the 2020 season, the Patriots made some changes to their uniform. The all-blue "Color Rush" design became the primary home uniform, complete with updated block letters and numbers, and blue/red/white socks. A corresponding white uniform was also unveiled, also paired with the blue pants. Both uniforms featured truncated shoulder striping as a nod to the "Pat Patriot" uniforms. Coincidentally, the arrival of new jerseys conceded with the departure of long-time quarterback, Tom Brady, from the Patriots. Brady was in New England exactly between the last uniform change in 2000, and left before the 2020 uniform change in 2019.

Alternate uniforms

In 1994, the Patriots wore the "Pat Patriot" helmets and plain white striped pants from two seasons prior as alternates as part of the NFL's 75th-anniversary celebration. In 2002, NFL teams were allowed to add a permanent third jersey to be worn in a maximum of two games. The Patriots reintroduced a red jersey as their alternate, complemented with the old-style "Pat Patriot" helmet. In 2003, the Patriots changed their alternate to a silver jersey with blue pants. For this uniform, the "Flying Elvis" helmet was used. The uniform was identical to the white jersey with any areas of white replaced by silver. These uniforms were dropped after 2007. No alternate uniform was used in 2008. In 2009, the red alternate was reintroduced, again accompanied by the "Pat Patriot" helmet. An alternate white road jersey was also worn with the older helmet for one game, using red numbers, in tribute to the 50th anniversary of the AFL. The red alternate gained a blue outline around the numbers in 2010 and this was worn through 2012. The Patriots temporarily retired their alternate red uniforms in 2013, thanks to a new NFL rule outlawing throwback alternate helmets, and restricting teams to one helmet shell only. However, after the NFL reinstated the use of alternate helmets in 2022, the Patriots brought back the throwback red uniforms.

In 2016, the Patriots took part in the NFL's Color Rush program, wearing monochrome navy uniforms on September 22 against the Houston Texans. The uniform tops were patterned after the 1980s Pat Patriot-era uniforms, while the pants featured thick white stripes with red accents. They have worn them a total of four times since 2016. In 2017, an all-white Color Rush uniform was introduced and used for the Patriots' Thursday night road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Facilities

Stadium and headquarters

Main article: Gillette Stadium

Foxboro Stadium, where the Patriots played for their first 31 seasons in Foxborough

Gillette Stadium, the current home of the Patriots in Foxborough

The Patriots Hall of Fame outside of Gillette Stadium, pictured in 2008. Renovations have been made in the years since. It is the home to the legacy of every Patriots Hall of Fame inductee, historical memorabilia, years of game-worn gear ranging from the inaugural season as well as countless trophies (including the six Super Bowl trophies) and awards.

Since 2002, the Patriots' home stadium has been Gillette Stadium, a $350 million facility privately financed by Kraft, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts. It houses the team's practice facilities, the team’s administrative offices, as well as its owning entity’s, The Kraft Group, along with the Kraft-owned Major League Soccer team, the New England Revolution. The field, which was originally natural grass, was replaced with a FieldTurf surface during the 2006 season. Despite not being around for more than 20 years, Gillette Stadium is home to the second most postseason games ever, Candlestick Park being first with 27 total. The Patriots have a 20–4 playoff record in this stadium as of the conclusion of the 2019 NFL season, the AFC playoffs consistently had the Patriots playing from home in 2001–2019. The area around the stadium was developed, beginning in 2007, into a $375 million "lifestyle and entertainment center" called Patriot Place; among its largest structures is a multi-floor restaurant and bar called CBS Scene.

Prior to 2002, the Patriots played in Foxboro Stadium dating back to 1971, the team's second year in the NFL after the AFL–NFL merger, and this venue was also privately funded. The final game in this stadium was the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game which was a 16–13 overtime win over the visiting Oakland Raiders, known for the raging snowstorm and the "tuck rule" call.

During the team's days in the American Football League and its first year in the NFL, the Boston Patriots were hosted by a number of fields in or around Boston – they played at Nickerson Field (1960–62), Fenway Park (1963–68), Alumni Stadium (1969), and Harvard Stadium (1970).

Training camp and practice

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Patriots players during training camp in 2009

The Patriots hold training camp and practices just outside of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with twin practice fields available for team use.

Prior to 2003, the Patriots held training camp and practice at numerous locations. From 1976 to 2002, the team held training camp at Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island. From 1960 to 1961, then from 1969 to 1975, the Patriots held training camp at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Between 1962 and 1968, the Patriots held training camp at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.

From 1971 until 2001, the Patriots would simply practice at Foxboro Stadium whenever the field was available, otherwise they would use the public football fields that were available in Foxborough.

Aircraft

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One of the two Patriots 767s taxiing at Logan International Airport

In 2017, the Patriots purchased two Boeing 767-300ERs for use as team planes, with one serving as the backup, which were ready in time for the 2017 NFL season. This made them the first team in league history to own their own planes. At the time it was getting more difficult for professional sports teams to book private charter flights, with eight teams being dropped that season, as major commercial airlines were instead focusing on more profitable scheduled flights. The two jet airliners, N366AA and N39367, were previously operated by American Airlines from 1991 to 2016. The planes are known affectionately as "AirKrafts" after team owner Robert Kraft. Kraft has lent one of the planes to transport students to the March for Our Lives demonstration in Washington, D.C. Both planes are currently operating for the American airline, Eastern Airlines, LLC.

Rivalries

In terms of number of games played, the Patriots have competed most against other teams in the AFC East division: the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets, who were all a part of the AFC East division since the AFL-NFL Merger, as well as the former AFL Eastern division. The Patriots also share rivalries with several teams outside of their division, including the Indianapolis Colts, who were members of the AFC East from 1970 to 2001, the Baltimore Ravens, the Denver Broncos, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders. Outside of the AFC, the Patriots also had a memorable rivalry with the New York Giants.

Divisional rivals

New York Jets

Main article: Jets–Patriots rivalry

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Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick resigned from the Jets before ever coaching a game and was "traded" from the Jets to the Patriots in 2000 for a first round pick, which turned out to be one of the most notorious transactions in NFL history.

The closest rivalry geographically has been that with the New York Jets. The Patriots and Jets have been in the same division (what is now the AFC East) since both teams' foundings in 1960, and have played each other at least twice a year since then. The rivalry between the Jets and Patriots has escalated since 1996, when Patriots head coach Bill Parcells left the Patriots under controversy to become the head coach of the Jets; he was replaced by former Jets coach Pete Carroll. Four years later, Carroll was fired, and Parcells's assistant, Bill Belichick, resigned the day he was named the Jets' head coach to become the head coach of the Patriots. Six years after that, Eric Mangini, an assistant under Belichick, became the head coach of the Jets.

Bill Belichick achieved his 200th career head coaching win (regular season and playoffs) on November 22, 2012, defeating the Jets 49–19; it was his 163rd such win as Patriots coach.

Buffalo Bills

Main article: Bills–Patriots rivalry

Patriots defensive tackle Ty Warren takes down Bills QB J. P. Losman for a safety in 2006.

The Patriots and the Bills were both charter members of the AFL, and even competed with each other in an AFL playoff game. They have remained divisional rivals since the NFL-AFL merger. Prior to the rise of Tom Brady, the two teams shared a mellow, yet occasionally competitive rivalry, featuring highlights from players such as O. J. Simpson, Steve Grogan, Joe Ferguson, Jim Kelly, and Drew Bledsoe. However, Brady dominated the Bills during his tenure as the Patriots' franchise quarterback, holding a 32–3 regular-season record over them. Though Patriots fans usually felt apathetic towards the Bills during the Brady era, Bills fans came to despise the Patriots more than any other rival. With the departure of Tom Brady after the 2019 season, the Bills swept the Pats in 2020, including a 38–9 Monday Night Football win that stands as the worst home loss of the Belichick era. It was their first time doing so since 1999, Belichick's first year as head coach and the year before Brady was drafted. In the 2021–22 NFL playoffs, the Bills defeated the Patriots 47–17 in the rivalry's first playoff matchup in nearly 60 years, with the Bills scoring seven consecutive touchdowns and never punting or attempting a field goal against the Pats defense, making for the NFL's first "perfect offensive game" in history and the worst playoff loss of Belichick's career.

Miami Dolphins

Main article: Dolphins–Patriots rivalry

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Craig James rushes the ball past the Dolphins' defense in the 1985 AFC Championship game.

The Patriots first played the Miami Dolphins in 1966 in the AFL, when Miami was one of two expansion teams to debut that year in that league. The Dolphins dominated the Patriots in the 1970s and 1990s, but the two teams remained competitive with each other for years before the rise of Tom Brady. Brady, however, struggled occasionally against the Dolphins in the 2000s before reasserting dominance in the 2010s. The Patriots and Dolphins are the only two teams in the Super Bowl era to post undefeated regular season records, with Miami going 14–0 in 1972 and the Patriots going 16–0 in 2007. Notable moments between the clubs include the Snowplow Game, three playoff matchups, the Dolphins revealing their Wildcat offense against the Patriots, and the Miracle in Miami.

Conference rivals

Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts

Main article: Colts–Patriots rivalry

See also: Tom Brady–Peyton Manning rivalry

The Patriots rivalry with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts ran through the two clubs' tenure together in the AFC East (1970–2001). The two clubs clashed in several close games, such as on December 19, 1971, as a late Patriots touchdown decided a 21–17 New England win; on September 18, 1978, the Colts rallied to defeat the Patriots 34–27 on Monday Night Football on a virtual one-man scoring rampage by running back Joe Washington; on September 4, 1983, the Colts defeated the Patriots in overtime 29–23 in their final season in Baltimore. The Patriots defeated the Colts in back-to-back overtime games, 23–17 on December 8, 1991, and 37–34 on November 15, 1992.

The Pats facing the Colts in 2011

Even though the two clubs were placed in separate divisions in the NFL's 2002 divisional realignment, their rivalry did not diminish. At that time, both teams were among the best in the AFC, and both were led by likely Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Peyton Manning (for the Colts) and Tom Brady (for the Patriots). The teams met three times in four years (2003, 2004, 2006) in the playoffs, with the winner going on to win that season's Super Bowl each time. The Manning portion of the rivalry began in Manning's rookie season, 1998; in 1999 Manning suffered a bitter 31–28 loss in September as the Patriots behind Drew Bledsoe erased a 28–7 Colts lead, then defeated the Patriots 20–15 in Indianapolis on December 12. The Brady–Manning portion of the rivalry began on September 30, 2001, as Brady made his first NFL start in a 44–13 Patriots win at Foxboro; on October 21 the Patriots defeated the Colts at the RCA Dome 38–17.

After the Colts left the AFC East in 2002, they first met on November 30, 2003, in a 38–34 Patriots win decided on a last-second goal line stand by the Patriots. The Colts broke a six-game Patriot winning streak in the rivalry in November 2005, then won twice in 2006; in the AFC Championship Game the Colts erased a 21–6 halftime lead; the game lead tied or changed seven times in the second half before a late touchdown led to a 38–34 Colts win. The November 4, 2007, meeting involved both teams being unbeaten to that point; the 8–0 Patriots and the 7–0 Colts. The Patriots rallied to win 24–20. The Colts won again in 2008 and then erased a large Patriots lead in 2009's 4th and 2 game. Manning's final meeting with the Patriots as a Colt came in November 2010; a late interception sealed a 31–28 Patriots win. In 2012, the Patriots faced the Colts, quarterbacked now by Andrew Luck, on November 18; the Patriots defeated the Colts 59–24. The Patriots also beat the Colts on January 12, 2014, 43–22. The Patriots played the Colts in the playoffs again on January 18, 2015, in the AFC title game, winning 45–7.

Baltimore Ravens

Main article: Ravens–Patriots rivalry

The Ravens first met the New England Patriots in 1996, but the rivalry truly started in 2007 when the Ravens suffered a bitter 27–24 loss in the Patriots' quest for perfection. The rivalry began to escalate in 2009 when the Ravens lost to the Patriots 27–21 in a game that involved a confrontation between Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. Both players would go on to take verbal shots at each other through the media after the game. The Ravens defeated the Patriots in the 2009 AFC Wild Card playoff game, 33–14. This was the first time the Ravens had ever defeated the Patriots. The Ravens faced the Patriots in week six of the 2010 season. The Patriots ended up winning 23–20 in overtime; the game caused controversy from a hit to the helmet of tight end Todd Heap by Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather.

Tom Brady had a career record of 8–4 (regular & postseason) against the Ravens with the Patriots.

The Ravens played the Patriots for the third consecutive season in the 2011 AFC Championship Game, which the Ravens lost 23–20. The rivalry reached a new level of friction with this, the second career playoff game between the two clubs. The Ravens clawed to a 20–16 lead in the fourth quarter, but Patriots quarterback Tom Brady dove into the end zone to make the score 23–20 with around 11 minutes remaining; this proved to be the winning touchdown. On the Ravens' last possession of the game, quarterback Joe Flacco threw a pass to wide receiver Lee Evans in the corner of the end zone which looked to be the game-winning touchdown, before a last-second strip by Sterling Moore forced the ball from the hands of Evans, forcing the game to be decided on a last-minute field goal by Ravens placekicker Billy Cundiff. With 11 seconds remaining on the clock, the kicker missed the 32-yard field goal attempt, allowing the Patriots to kill the clock on their way to Super Bowl XLVI for a rematch with the New York Giants.

The Ravens' first regular-season win over the Patriots came on September 23, 2012. The game was emotional as receiver Torrey Smith was competing following the death of his brother in a motorcycle accident just the night before. Smith caught two touchdowns in a back and forth game; the Ravens erased a 13–0 lead in the first half and led 14–13, but the Patriots scored at the end of the second quarter for a 20–14 lead. The lead changed twice in the third quarter and the Patriots led 30–21 in the fourth, but the Ravens scored on Smith's second touchdown catch. The Ravens were stopped on fourth down but the Patriots had to punt; in the final two minutes a pass interference penalty on Devin McCourty put the ball at the Patriots 7-yard line; new Ravens kicker Justin Tucker booted a 27-yard field goal on the final play; the ball sailed directly over the upright and was ruled good; the quality of officiating by replacement referees caused controversy as Bill Belichick angrily reached for one of the referees as they were leaving the field, leading to a $50,000 fine later that week.

The two teams met again on January 20, 2013, in the AFC Championship, where the Ravens won 28–13. The Patriots led at halftime, 13–7, but the Ravens defense gave up no points in the 2nd half. It was the first time ever that Tom Brady lost a game at home after leading at halftime, and the first time a road team beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship.

The two teams met once again at Gillette Stadium in the playoffs on January 10, 2015. The Patriots trailed by as much as 14 twice, before beating the Ravens 35–31 to advance to the AFC Championship.

The two teams met with Lamar Jackson as the Ravens quarterback for the first time on Sunday Night Football on November 3, 2019. The 8–0 Patriots were favored over the 5–2 Ravens before the game, but the Ravens won in a blowout, 37–20.

Denver Broncos

Main article: Broncos–Patriots rivalry

See also: Tom Brady–Peyton Manning rivalry

The Broncos and Patriots met twice annually during the American Football League (AFL) years from 1960 to 1969, and played in the first-ever AFL game on September 9, 1960. Since 1995, the two teams have met frequently during the regular season, including nine consecutive seasons from 1995 to 2003. As of the end of the 2015 season, the two teams have met in the playoffs five times, with the Broncos owning a 4–1 record. The teams' first playoff match on January 4, 1987 was John Elway's first career playoff win, while the teams' second playoff match on January 14, 2006 game was the Broncos' first playoff win since Elway's retirement after the 1998 season. The game was also notable for Champ Bailey's 100-yard interception that resulted in a touchdown-saving tackle by Benjamin Watson at the 1-yard line. On October 11, 2009, the two teams met with former Patriots' offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels as the Broncos' head coach. Both teams wore their AFL 50th anniversary jerseys. The game featured a 98-yard drive in the fourth quarter, with a game-tying touchdown pass from Kyle Orton to Brandon Marshall, followed by an overtime drive led by Orton that resulted in a 41-yard game-winning field goal by Matt Prater. The two teams met in the Divisional round of the 2011 playoffs, with the Patriots blowing out Tim Tebow and the Broncos by a score of 45–10. The Broncos' rivalry with the Patriots later intensified when longtime Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning became the Broncos' starting quarterback from 2012 to 2015. Manning and Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady maintained a legendary rivalry from 2001 until Manning's retirement after the 2015 season. Though Brady dominated Manning in regular season play, winning nine of twelve meetings, Manning won three of five playoff meetings, including the Broncos' 26–16 win in the 2013 AFC Championship and the Broncos' 20–18 win in the 2015 AFC Championship.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Main article: Patriots–Steelers rivalry

The Pittsburgh Steelers emerged as a prominent rival in league circles when the Patriots upset the Steelers in the 2001 AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field, though the two teams had met in the postseason twice before; the Patriots defeated the Steelers in 1996 28–3 while the Steelers won 7–6 in 1997; both times, the Patriots fielded players with Pittsburgh-area roots in Ty Law and Curtis Martin. Martin's final game with the Patriots was in the 1997 playoffs before he departed to the rival New York Jets. Following the 2001 AFC title upset, the Patriots defeated the Steelers 30–14 at the start of the 2002 season. Pittsburgh did not exact revenge for the two losses until ending the Patriots' record-setting 21-game winning streak in week 6 of the 2004 NFL season. Later that season, the Steelers lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots in the AFC Championship game after a 15–1 regular season.

The Patriots won six of seven meetings over a ten-year period (1998–2007) before the Steelers broke through with a 33–10 victory at Foxborough in 2008, after Matt Cassel turned the ball over five times. The Patriots in 2013 then made history by becoming the first opponent to score 55 points on the Steelers, winning 55–31. The Patriots won again in 2015 (28–21) and 2016's regular season (27–16), and then won 36–17 in the 2016 AFC Championship Game. They also won in 2017 when a go-ahead touchdown reception by Steelers' tight end Jesse James was controversially called back. Though they ultimately missed the playoffs, the Steelers defeated the Patriots by a score of 17–10 on December 16, 2018, in Pittsburgh.

In the postseason, the Patriots have outscored the Steelers 135–75, with the Patriots maintaining a 4–1 record. The only other franchises with winning AFC playoff records against Steelers include the Los Angeles Chargers (2–1), the Jacksonville Jaguars (2–0), and the Broncos (5–3). The Steelers have an all-time regular-season record of 15–13 against the Patriots. In the Bill Belichick era, the main period of the rivalry, the Patriots have a 12–4 record against the Steelers. In their last matchup, the Patriots beat the Steelers 33–3 on Sunday Night Football.

Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders

The rivalry between the Patriots and the Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders dates to their time in the AFL, but was intensified during a 1978 preseason game, when Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley was permanently paralyzed after a vicious hit delivered by Raiders free safety Jack Tatum. Before that, the Patriots also lost a playoff game in 1976 to the Raiders; the game is unofficially known as "The Ben Dreith Game" due to a controversial penalty by head referee Dreith. While based in Los Angeles, the Raiders hosted the Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs in 1986. The game was won by the Patriots and marred by a chaotic rumble between the teams in the end zone as players were leaving the field after the game. The brawl was especially notable for Raiders linebacker Matt Millen attacking GM Patrick Sullivan, son of owner Billy Sullivan, with his helmet. The two teams met in a divisional-round playoff game in 2002, which became known as the "Tuck Rule Game". Late in the game, an incomplete pass, ruled a fumble, by quarterback Tom Brady was overturned, and the Patriots went on to win in overtime and eventually won the Super Bowl against the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. Since that game, the Patriots have won five of the last six regular-season contests between the two teams. The first contest being the following year during the 2002 season in Oakland, with the Raiders winning 27–20; they met in the 2005 season opener in New England with the Patriots ruining Randy Moss' debut as a Raider 30–20; the Patriots defeated the Raiders 49–26 in December 2008 in Bill Belichick's 100th regular-season win as Patriots coach; a Patriots 31–19 win during the 2011 season; a scrappy 16–9 Patriots win in the third week of the 2014 season, and the Patriots' 33–8 win in Mexico City in 2017.

Inter-conference rivals

New York Giants

Main article: Giants–Patriots rivalry

The two teams rarely played each other given they were on opposite conferences, but the rivalry gained notoriety in the late 2000s thanks to some close contests and memorable moments between Tom Brady and Eli Manning. In the 2007 season, the Patriots defeated the Giants 38–35 to clinch a perfect 16–0 regular season, but could not finish a perfect 19–0 season in Super Bowl XLII following a 17–14 defeat. That game featured the now-iconic Helmet Catch from David Tyree. The Giants also defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, a 21–17 victory.

Strategy and influence

Further information: New England Patriots strategy

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LB Willie McGinest (left), LB Tedy Bruschi (middle), and LB Mike Vrabel (right) are three New England Patriots credited for instilling and defining what is described the "Patriot Way" throughout the dynasty from 2001–2019. Each of them were members of the Patriots' strong defense during the first three Super Bowl wins. McGinest also holds the NFL playoff record of most career postseason sacks (16.0) and most postseason sacks in a single game (4.5 in 2005). Other players that were known for their involvement in upholding the "Patriot Way" include 3x Super Bowl champion WR Troy Brown (not pictured) and Super Bowl champion SS Lawyer Milloy (not pictured).

Under head coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots have employed specific on-field and off-field strategies. On the field, the Patriots have typically used an "Erhardt–Perkins" offense and a "Fairbanks–Bullough" 3–4 defense, referred to commonly as a two-gap 3–4 defensive system. Under Erhardt's, Perkin’s and Bullough’s stints as coordinators and head coaches across the league after developing the scheme in collaboration with head coach Chuck Fairbanks, the systems developed in New England in the 1970s would begin to see historic use. Influence spread, especially under their coaching tree in Bill Parcells’ schemes as head coach of the New York Giants in the mid-to-late 1980s, after serving as a linebacker coach for the Patriots in 1980. Parcells would come back to New England as head coach in 1993 and re-install the system used in the 1970s and 1980s, re-uniting with Ray Perkins as WR coach. Parcells own coaching tree would use the scheme created in New England as well, especially Belichick, once he was named as head coach after years of being an assistant to Parcells with the New York Giants, the Patriots, and the New York Jets.

Since 2000, the philosophy in making personnel decisions and in game planning has focused on the "team" concept, stressing preparation, strong work ethic, versatility, and lack of individual ego. This approach, which has led to six Super Bowl victories under Belichick, has been analyzed in media such as the 2004 book Patriot Reign, as well as the 2021 documentary miniseries Man in the Arena.

The New England Patriots are noted for the following characteristics under coach Belichick's tenure, dubbed as the "Patriot Way":

• Their self-critical, perfectionist, and militaristic approach
• Their emphasis on team, equality among players and lack of individual ego
• Their strong work ethic, intelligence and high level of focus and preparation for each individual game
• Their versatile players, able to play multiple positions
• Their multiple schemes intended to take advantage of their opponent's weaknesses

Championships

Super Bowl banners for the Patriots’ first three league championships at Gillette Stadium, they have since added three more.

File:Super Bowl LIII Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg

The Patriots' sixth Super Bowl ring from Super Bowl LIII (2018).

Super Bowl championships

The New England Patriots have won six Super Bowls, the league championship of the NFL. They are tied for the most all-time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They repeated as champions in the 2003 and 2004 NFL seasons, the last team to do so among the seven franchises who have accomplished it (Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers (twice), San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and the Denver Broncos).

A Super Bowl hero, CB Malcolm Butler made one of the greatest plays in NFL history with a game-clinching interception at the goal line in Super Bowl XLIX, ensuring the Patriots' victory in the final seconds of the game.

File:James White (running back).JPG

RB James White tallied one of the most impressive Super Bowl performances of all time in Super Bowl LI, with 139 yards from scrimmage (29 rushing, 110 receiving), as well as holding multiple Super Bowl records such as most receptions, most receiving yards by a running back, and most points scored in regulation and overtime (20, and 6).

File:Dont'a Hightower Patriots.jpg

LB Dont'a Hightower had two memorable plays in two of the Patriots’ Super Bowl wins that were crucial to the eventual victories. In Super Bowl XLIX, he had a last second tackle on Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch at the one–yard line in the final minute of the game, forcing the Seahawks to have to call another play to reach the end zone. The Seahawks would throw the game–losing interception to Butler the next play, sealing the Patriots' fourth Super Bowl win. In Super Bowl LI, his strip sack on Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan was what turned out to be the catalyst that helped led to the Patriots' historical comeback down 28–3.

Year	Coach	Super Bowl	Location	Opponent	Score	Record
2001	Bill Belichick	XXXVI	Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans)	St. Louis Rams	20–17	11–5
2003		XXXVIII	Reliant Stadium (Houston)	Carolina Panthers	32–29	14–2
2004		XXXIX	Alltel Stadium (Jacksonville)	Philadelphia Eagles	24–21	14–2
2014		XLIX	University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale)	Seattle Seahawks	28–24	12–4
2016		LI	NRG Stadium (Houston)	Atlanta Falcons	34–28 (OT)	14–2
2018		LIII	Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)	Los Angeles Rams	13–3	11–5
Total Super Bowls won:					6

AFC championships

The New England Patriots have won eleven AFC Championships, the record for the most conference championships all-time in the NFL.

Year	Coach	Location	Opponent	Score	Record
1985	Raymond Berry	Miami, FL	Miami Dolphins	31–14	11–5
1996	Bill Parcells	Foxborough, MA	Jacksonville Jaguars	20–6	11–5
2001	Bill Belichick	Pittsburgh, PA	Pittsburgh Steelers	24–17	11–5
2003		Foxborough, MA	Indianapolis Colts	23–20	14–2
2004		Pittsburgh, PA	Pittsburgh Steelers	41–27	14–2
2007		Foxborough, MA	San Diego Chargers	21–12	16–0
2011			Baltimore Ravens	23–20	13–3
2014			Indianapolis Colts	45–7	12–4
2016			Pittsburgh Steelers	36–17	14–2
2017			Jacksonville Jaguars	24–20	13–3
2018		Kansas City, MO	Kansas City Chiefs	37–31 (OT)	11–5
Total AFC Championships won:				11

Division championships

The New England Patriots have won 22 Division Championships, which is second place for the most all-time behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys, who are tied in first with 24. One of these divisional titles was won in the AFL in the AFL East (1963), the rest were won in the AFC East of the NFL.

Year	Coach	Record
1963	Mike Holovak	7–6–1
1978	Chuck Fairbanks	11–5
1986	Raymond Berry	11–5
1996	Bill Parcells	11–5
1997	Pete Carroll	10–6
2001	Bill Belichick	11–5
2003		14–2
2004		14–2
2005		10–6
2006		12–4
2007		16–0
2009		10–6
2010		14–2
2011		13–3
2012		12–4
2013		12–4
2014		12–4
2015		12–4
2016		14–2
2017		13–3
2018		11–5
2019		12–4
Total Division Championships won:		22

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Deion Branch (left) and Julian Edelman (right) are the two Patriots wide receivers that have won the Super Bowl MVP award, each doing so in Super Bowl XXXIX and Super Bowl LIII, respectively. They are known as two of the franchise's most prolific postseason performers.

Seasons, statistics, and accomplishments

Season-by-season results

This is a partial list of the Patriots' last five completed seasons. For the full season-by-season franchise results, see List of New England Patriots seasons.

Note: The Finish, Wins, Losses, and Ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play.

Super Bowl champions

Conference champions

Division champions

Wild Card berth

As of January 15, 2022

Season	Team	League	Conference	Division	Regular season				Postseason results	Awards
					Finish	Wins	Losses	Ties
2017	2017	NFL	AFC	East	1st	13	3	0	Won Divisional Playoffs (Titans) 35–14 Won AFC Championship (Jaguars) 24–20 Lost Super Bowl LII (Eagles) 41–33	Tom Brady (MVP)
2018	2018	NFL	AFC	East	1st	11	5	0	Won Divisional Playoffs (Chargers) 41–28 Won AFC Championship (Chiefs) 37–31(OT) Won Super Bowl LIII (Rams) 13–3	Julian Edelman (SB MVP)
2019	2019	NFL	AFC	East	1st	12	4	0	Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Titans) 20–13	Stephon Gilmore (DPOY)
2020	2020	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	7	9	0	—	—
2021	2021	NFL	AFC	East	2nd	10	7	0	Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Bills) 47–17	—

Record vs. opponents

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties

Team	W	L	T	Percent	Last result	Last date	Last locale	Postseason
Jacksonville Jaguars	8	1	0	.889	W 50–10	January 2, 2022	Foxborough, Massachusetts	4–1 postseason
Baltimore Ravens	9	2	0	.818	W 9–0	November 15, 2020	Foxborough, Massachusetts	2–2 postseason
Chicago Bears	10	3	0	.769	W 38–31	October 21, 2018	Chicago, Illinois	0–1 postseason
Houston Texans	9	3	0	.750	W 34–7	October 10, 2021	Houston, Texas	2–0 postseason
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	7	3	0	.700	L 19–17	October 3, 2021	Foxborough, Massachusetts
Minnesota Vikings	9	4	0	.692	W 24–10	December 2, 2018	Foxborough, Massachusetts
New Orleans Saints	10	5	0	.667	L 28–13	September 26, 2021	Foxborough, Massachusetts
Cincinnati Bengals	17	9	0	.654	W 31–28	December 15, 2019	Foxborough, Massachusetts
New York Giants	7	4	0	.636	W 35–14	October 10, 2019	Foxborough, Massachusetts	0–2 postseason
San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers	24	14	2	.625	W 27–24	October 31, 2021	Inglewood, California	3–1 postseason
Baltimore / Indianapolis Colts	48	29	0	.623	L 27–17	December 18, 2021	Indianapolis, Indiana	4–1 postseason
Buffalo Bills	76	46	1	.622	L 33–21	December 26, 2021	Foxborough, Massachusetts	1–1 postseason
Atlanta Falcons	9	6	0	.600	W 25–0	November 18, 2021	Atlanta, Georgia	1–0 postseason
Houston Oilers / Tennessee Titans	24	16	1	.598	W 36–13	November 28, 2021	Foxborough, Massachusetts	2–2 postseason
Detroit Lions	7	5	0	.583	L 26–10	September 23, 2018	Detroit, Michigan
New York Jets	69	53	1	.565	W 24–34	October 24, 2021	Foxborough, Massachusetts	2–1 postseason
Oakland / Los Angeles / Las Vegas Raiders	18	14	1	.561	W 36–20	September 27, 2020	Foxborough, Massachusetts	2–1 postseason
Green Bay Packers	6	5	0	.545	W 31–17	November 4, 2018	Foxborough, Massachusetts	0–1 postseason
St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams	7	6	0	.538	L 24–3	December 10, 2020	Inglewood, California	2–0 postseason
St. Louis / Phoenix / Arizona Cardinals	8	7	0	.533	W 20–17	November 29, 2020	Foxborough, Massachusetts
Cleveland Browns	13	12	0	.520	W 45–7	November 14, 2021	Foxborough, Massachusetts	0–1 postseason
Miami Dolphins	52	58	0	.473	L 33–24	January 9, 2022	Miami Gardens, Florida	2–1 postseason
Pittsburgh Steelers	13	15	0	.464	W 33–3	September 8, 2019	Foxborough, Massachusetts	4–1 postseason
Philadelphia Eagles	6	7	0	.462	W 17–10	November 17, 2019	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	1–1 postseason
Washington Commanders	5	6	0	.455	W 33–7	October 6, 2019	Washington, D.C.
Denver Broncos	22	27	0	.449	L 18–12	October 18, 2020	Denver, Colorado	1–4 postseason
Seattle Seahawks	8	10	0	.444	L 35–30	September 20, 2020	Seattle, Washington	1–0 postseason
Carolina Panthers	3	4	0	.429	W 24–6	November 7, 2021	Charlotte, North Carolina	1–0 postseason
Dallas Cowboys	6	8	0	.429	L 35–29	October 17, 2021	Foxborough, Massachusetts
Kansas City Chiefs	14	20	3	.419	L 26–10	October 5, 2020	Kansas City, Missouri	2–0 postseason
San Francisco 49ers	5	9	0	.357	L 33–6	October 25, 2020	Foxborough, Massachusetts
Total	529	411	9	.562
Total including playoffs	566	433	9	.566

All-time leaders

File:Tom Brady 2016.JPG

Tom Brady holds nearly every record in career, single-season, and single-game (regular season and playoffs) passing statistics for the Patriots, as well as total games played.

A career Patriot and a 3x Super Bowl champion, Kevin Faulk is the franchise's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (receiving, rushing, and return yards combined) with 12,340 total yards.

File:Stephen Gostkowski 2015.JPG

3x Super Bowl champion Stephen Gostkowski is the team's all-time leader in points scored with 1,775 total points. He also holds the single-season points record with 158 in 2013.

All-time Patriots leaders
Leader	Person	Record number	Years with Patriots
Passing	Tom Brady	74,571 passing yards	2000–2019
Rushing	Sam Cunningham	5,453 rushing yards	1973–1982
Receiving	Stanley Morgan	10,352 receiving yards	1977–1989
Scoring	Stephen Gostkowski	1,775 points	2006–2019
Sacks	Andre Tippett	100.0 sacks	1982–1993
Interceptions	Raymond Clayborn Ty Law	36 interceptions	1977–1989 1995–2004
Coaching wins	Bill Belichick	254 wins	2000–present

Statistics

Career leaders

• Passing yards: 74,571 Tom Brady (2000–2019)
• Pass completions: 6,377 Tom Brady (2000–2019)
• Passing touchdowns: 541 Tom Brady (2000–2019)
• Rushing yards: 5,453 Sam Cunningham (1973–1982)
• Rushing touchdowns: 45 Jim Nance (1965–1971)
• Receptions: 672 Wes Welker (2007–2012)
• Receiving yards: 10,352 Stanley Morgan (1977–1989)
• Receiving touchdowns: 79 Rob Gronkowski (2010–2018)
• All-purpose yards: 12,340 Kevin Faulk (1999–2011)
• Points scored: 1,775 Stephen Gostkowski (2006–2019)
• Field goals made: 374 Stephen Gostkowski (2006–2018)
• Total punt yardage: 19,922 Rich Camarillo (1981–1987)
• Punting average (min. 250 punts): 45.3 Ryan Allen (2013–2018)
• Kickoff return yards: 4,098 Kevin Faulk (1999–2011)
• Punt Return yards: 2,625 Troy Brown (1993–2007)
• Pass interceptions: 36 Raymond Clayborn (1977–1989)/Ty Law (1995–2004)
• Sacks: 100.0 Andre Tippett (1982–1993)
• Forced fumbles: 17 Tedy Bruschi (1996–2008)

Single-season leaders

• Passing yards: 5,235 Tom Brady (2011)
• Passing touchdowns: 50 Tom Brady (2007)
• Rushing yards: 1,635 Corey Dillon (2004)
• Rushing touchdowns: 18 LeGarrette Blount (2016)
• Receptions: 123 Wes Welker (2009)
• Receiving yards: 1,569 Wes Welker (2011)
• Receiving touchdowns: 23 Randy Moss (2007)
• Points: 158 Stephen Gostkowski (2013)
• Field goals made: 38 Stephen Gostkowski (2013)
• Total punt yardage: 4,227 Shawn McCarthy (1992)
• Punting average: 48.7 Jake Bailey (2020)
• Kickoff return yards: 1,281 Ellis Hobbs (2008)
• Punt return yards: 608 Mike Haynes (1976)
• Pass interceptions: 11 Ron Hall (1964)
• Sacks: 18.5 Andre Tippett (1984)

Individual awards

File:Tom Brady with Vince Lombardi trophy.jpg

A four-time Super Bowl MVP with the Patriots, former quarterback Tom Brady is seen celebrating the Patriots' dramatic comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI

These awards are specifically from the Associated Press, except for two cases: The NFL in the case of the Super Bowl MVP and the Pro Football Writers of America in the case of the Executive of the Year award. Seasons in which the AFL counterparts of the awards were won (1960–1969) are labeled.

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

NFL MVP
Season	Player	Position
1964 (AFL)	Gino Cappelletti	FL/K
1966 (AFL)	Jim Nance	FB
2007	Tom Brady	QB
2010
2017

NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Season	Player	Position
2007	Tom Brady	QB
2010

NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Season	Player	Position
2019	Stephon Gilmore	CB

Super Bowl MVP
Super Bowl	Player	Position
XXXVI	Tom Brady	QB
XXXVIII
XXXIX	Deion Branch	WR
XLIX	Tom Brady	QB
LI
LIII	Julian Edelman	WR

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Season	Player	Position
1969 (AFL)	Carl Garrett	RB
1988	John Stephens	RB
1991	Leonard Russell	RB
1995	Curtis Martin	RB

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Season	Player	Position
1976	Mike Haynes	CB
2008	Jerod Mayo	LB

NFL Comeback Player of the Year
Season	Player	Position
1966 (AFL)	Vito "Babe" Parilli	QB
1969 (AFL)	Jim Nance	FB
2005	Tedy Bruschi	LB
2009	Tom Brady	QB
2014	Rob Gronkowski	TE

NFL Coach of the Year
Season	Coach
1994	Bill Parcells
2003	Bill Belichick
2007
2010

NFL Executive of the Year
Season	Executive
2003	Scott Pioli
2007
2010
2021	Bill Belichick

Players of note

Further information: List of New England Patriots players, List of New England Patriots starting quarterbacks, and List of New England Patriots first-round draft picks

Roster

New England Patriots roster
Quarterbacks 12 Tom Brady 10 Jimmy Garoppolo Running backs 38 Brandon Bolden 39 Steven Jackson 28 James White Wide receivers 80 Danny Amendola PR 11 Julian Edelman 14 Chris Harper 19 Brandon LaFell 82 Keshawn Martin KR 18 Matthew Slater Tight ends 88 Scott Chandler 87 Rob Gronkowski 85 Michael Williams		Offensive linemen 60 David Andrews C 61 Marcus Cannon T 71 Cameron Fleming T 63 Tre' Jackson G 67 Josh Kline G 69 Shaq Mason G 66 Bryan Stork C 76 Sebastian Vollmer T 68 LaAdrian Waddle T Defensive linemen 97 Alan Branch DT 90 Malcom Brown DT 92 Geneo Grissom DE 72 Akiem Hicks DT 95 Chandler Jones DE 70 Ishmaa'ily Kitchen DT 50 Rob Ninkovich DE 93 Jabaal Sheard DE 96 Sealver Siliga DT		Linebackers 58 Jon Bostic MLB 91 Jamie Collins OLB 53 Darius Fleming OLB 55 Jonathan Freeny OLB 54 Dont'a Hightower OLB 51 Jerod Mayo MLB 52 Dekoda Watson OLB Defensive backs 21 Malcolm Butler CB 23 Patrick Chung SS 22 Justin Coleman CB 43 Nate Ebner SS 30 Duron Harmon FS 34 Leonard Johnson CB 36 Brandon King SS 32 Devin McCourty FS 37 Jordan Richards SS 26 Logan Ryan CB 27 Tavon Wilson SS Special teams  6 Ryan Allen P 49 Joe Cardona LS  3 Stephen Gostkowski K				Reserve lists 29 LeGarrette Blount RB (IR) 10px 25 Tarell Brown CB (IR) 10px 86 A. J. Derby TE (IR) 10px 46 James Develin FB (IR) 10px 17 Aaron Dobson WR (IR) 10px 99 Dominique Easley DT (IR) 10px -- Dane Fletcher MLB (PUP) 10px 98 Trey Flowers DE (IR) 10px -- Tyler Gaffney RB (IR) 10px 13 Brandon Gibson WR (IR) 10px 59 Rufus Johnson DE (NF-Ill.) 10px 94 Chris Jones DT (PUP) 10px 33 Dion Lewis RB (IR) 10px -- Eric Martin OLB (IR) 10px -- Darryl Roberts CB (IR) 10px 77 Nate Solder T (IR) 10px 84 Brian Tyms WR (IR) 10px 62 Ryan Wendell G (IR) 10px Practice squad 31 Montee Ball RB 64 Chris Barker G 83 DeAndre Carter WR 47 Joey Iosefa FB 24 Rashaan Melvin CB 74 Keavon Milton T 45 Kevin Snyder MLB 41 Cedric Thompson FS 35 Brock Vereen FS 15 J. J. Worton WR Rookies in italics Roster updated January 12, 2016 Depth Chart • Transactions 53 Active, 18 Inactive, 10 Practice Squad → AFC rosters → NFC rosters
AFC East BUF MIA NE NYJ North BAL CIN CLE PIT South HOU IND JAX TEN West DEN KC OAK SD NFC East DAL NYG PHI WAS North CHI DET GB MIN South ATL CAR NO TB West ARI LA SF SEA

File:John Hannah New England Patriots press photo 1976-1980.jpg

Pro Football Hall of Fame & Patriots Hall of Fame LG John Hannah, known as one of the greatest offensive linemen in history. Spending his entire illustrious career with the Patriots, Hannah achieved many accolades and awards, and is a franchise icon.

Pro Football Hall of Fame & Patriots Hall of Fame CB, 3x Super Bowl champion Ty Law (pictured with Denver Broncos). Law is tied for the record of most interceptions in the franchise's history (36). Law also had one of the most memorable moments in franchise history, with a 47-yard pick-six in Super Bowl XXXVI.

File:Richard Seymour water bottle.jpg

Pro Football Hall of Fame & Patriots Hall of Fame DE, 3x Super Bowl champion Richard Seymour. Seymour was considered one of the most versatile defensive lineman in the NFL.

Pro Football Hall of Fame & Patriots Hall of Fame LB Andre Tippett, the all-time Patriots sack leader (100.0).

Pro Football Hall of Fame WR Randy Moss, who caught a NFL-record (still standing) 23 touchdowns in the historic undefeated 16–0 2007 season as a New England Patriot.

Pro Football Hall of Famers

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has inducted 6 players who made their primary contribution to professional football while with the Patriots. The Patriots' total number of Pro Football Hall of Famers is 11, 9 players and 2 coaches.

Notes:

• Hall of Famers who made the major part of their primary contribution for the Patriots are listed in bold.
• Hall of Famers who spent only a minor portion of their career with the Patriots are listed in normal font.

New England Patriots in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Players
No.	Name	Position(s)	Tenure	Inducted
73	John Hannah	G	1973–1985	1991
40	Mike Haynes	CB	1976–1982	1997
85	Nick Buoniconti	LB	1962–1968	2001
56	Andre Tippett	LB	1982–1993	2008
28	Curtis Martin	RB	1995–1997	2012
55	Junior Seau	LB	2006–2009	2015
81	Randy Moss	WR	2007–2010	2018
24	Ty Law	CB	1995–2004	2019
93	Richard Seymour	DE	2001–2008	2022
Coaches and Executives
Name		Position(s)	Tenure	Inducted
Raymond Berry		Head coach	1984–1989	1973
Bill Parcells		Head coach	1993–1996	2013

• Raymond Berry was inducted for his tenure as a player (outside of New England), not as a head coach.

Retired numbers

The Patriots have officially retired seven uniform numbers. They have not retired any jerseys since 2000, likely to keep a healthy amount of numbers available to the 53-man roster. However, number 12 has been kept of circulation as of 2020, while other important numbers in the franchise's history (such as 87 or 24) have stayed in circulation.

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

New England Patriots retired numbers
No.	Player	Position	Tenure	Retired
20	Gino Cappelletti	FL/K	1960–1970	1971
40	Mike Haynes	CB	1976–1982	1996
57	Steve Nelson	LB	1974–1987	July 11, 1988
73	John Hannah	G	1973–1985	1990
78	Bruce Armstrong	T	1987–2000	2000
79	Jim Lee Hunt	DL	1960–1970	1971
89	Bob Dee	DL	1960–1967	1968

Patriots Hall of Fame

The Patriots Hall of Fame features 28 former players and three contributors as a part of the franchise's own hall of fame, founded to independently honor significant members of the organization within the club's history. It was established in 1991, with John Hannah being the inaugural member.

The physical Patriots Hall of Fame building opened in 2008 outside of the stadium at Patriot Place, presented by Raytheon Technologies. It has featured numerous renovations and additions since, and it is updated yearly. It is described as a modern, interactive “museum”.

A committee of media and staff selected 11 players for enshrinement between 1991 and 2001, before a six-year span of no selections. In 2007, in advance of the grand opening of the physical Patriots Hall of Fame in 2008, the club introduced a new nomination committee to select three candidates, with the winner of an internet fan vote being enshrined in the hall of fame. In order to be eligible, players and coaches must be retired for at least four years. Beginning in 2011, and meeting every five years, a senior selection committee has the option of voting a player who has been retired for at least 25 seasons into the hall of fame.

Starting in 2009, contributors have been allowed to be periodically voted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Former team founder and owner Billy Sullivan was posthumously inducted by owner Robert Kraft in March 2009, before the Patriots' 50th season, as the first contributor inducted.

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Patriots Hall of Fame
No.	Name	Position	Tenure	Inducted
73	John Hannah	G	1973–1985	1991
85	Nick Buoniconti	LB	1962–1968	1992
20	Gino Cappelletti	FL/K Broadcaster	1960–1970 1972–1978, 1988–2012	1992
89	Bob Dee	DL	1960–1967	1993
79	Jim Lee Hunt	DT	1960–1971	1993
57	Steve Nelson	LB	1974–1987	1993
15	Vito "Babe" Parilli	QB	1961–1967	1993
40	Mike Haynes	CB	1976–1982	1994
14	Steve Grogan	QB	1975–1990	1995
56	Andre Tippett	LB Front Office	1982–1993 2007–present	1999
78	Bruce Armstrong	T	1987–2000	2001
86	Stanley Morgan	WR	1977–1989	2007
87	Ben Coates	TE	1991–1999	2008
35	Jim Nance	FB	1965–1971	2009
–	Billy Sullivan	Founder/Owner	1960–1988	2009
39	Sam Cunningham	RB	1973–1982	2010
11	Drew Bledsoe	QB	1993–2001	2011
56	Jon Morris	C	1964–1974	2011
80	Troy Brown	WR/PR/CB WR/KR Coach	1993–2007 2020–present	2012
54	Tedy Bruschi	LB	1996–2008	2013
–	Gil Santos	Broadcaster	1972–1979 1991–2012	2013
24	Ty Law	CB	1995–2004	2014
55	Willie McGinest	LB/DE	1994–2005	2015
65	Houston Antwine	DL	1961–1971	2015
33	Kevin Faulk	RB	1999–2011	2016
26	Raymond Clayborn	CB	1977–1989	2017
72	Matt Light	T	2001–2011	2018
37	Rodney Harrison	S	2003–2008	2019
70	Leon Gray	T	1973–1978	2019
93	Richard Seymour	DL	2001–2008	2020
–	Tracy Sormanti	Cheerleading Director	1983–2020	2021
75	Vince Wilfork	DT	2004–2014	2022

NFL All-Decade & Anniversary teams

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QB Tom Brady, G John Hannah, and HC Bill Belichick are among the rare list of people to have been named to multiple NFL All-Decade Teams. Each were also named to the prestigious NFL 100th Anniversary Team, mostly for their time with the Patriots. Hannah was also selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary Team.

The following Patriots were named to the AFL All-Time Team (1960–1969), as well any NFL All-Decade Team after the AFL–NFL merger in 1970 (and NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams, selected in 1994 and 2019, respectively). Only those who spent time with New England during the respective decades are listed.

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

AFL All-Time Team (1960–1969)
No.	Player	Position	Tenure
56	Jon Morris	C	1964–74
65	Houston Antwine	DT	1961–71
85	Nick Buoniconti	MLB	1962–68
46	Bob Scarpitto	P	1968

NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
No.	Player	Position	Tenure
73	John Hannah	G	1973–85

NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
No.	Player	Position	Tenure
73	John Hannah	G	1973–85
56	Andre Tippett	LB	1982–93
40	Mike Haynes	CB	1976–82

NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
No.	Player	Position	Tenure
73	John Hannah	G	1973–85
40	Mike Haynes	CB	1976–82

NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
No.	Player	Position	Tenure
87	Ben Coates	TE	1991–99
Bill Parcells		Coach	1993–96

NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
No.	Player	Position	Tenure
12	Tom Brady	QB	2000–19
81	Randy Moss	WR	2007–10
93	Richard Seymour	DE	2001–08
24	Ty Law	CB	1995–2004
4	Adam Vinatieri	K	1996–2005
Bill Belichick		Coach	2000–present

NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
No.	Player	Position	Tenure
12	Tom Brady	QB	2000–19
81	Randy Moss	WR	2007–10
87	Rob Gronkowski	TE	2010–18
73	John Hannah	G	1973–85
55	Junior Seau	LB	2006–09
40	Mike Haynes	CB	1976–82
4	Adam Vinatieri	K	1996–2005
Bill Belichick		Coach	2000–present

NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
No.	Player	Position	Tenure
12	Tom Brady	QB	2000–19
17	Antonio Brown	WR	2019
87	Rob Gronkowski	TE	2010–18
70	Logan Mankins	G	2005–13
95	Chandler Jones	DE	2012–15
24	Darrelle Revis	CB	2014
3	Stephen Gostkowski	K	2006–19
84	Cordarrelle Patterson	KR	2018
Bill Belichick		Coach	2000–present

Patriots All-Decade teams

1960s (AFL)

In November 1971, fans voted on a 10-year Patriots anniversary team, which coincided with the team's 10 years in the then-defunct American Football League: Additional selections for returner, special teamer, and coach were added in 2009:

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Known affectionately as "Mr. Patriot", Gino Cappelletti was one of the franchise’s first star players, playing from the inaugural season until the 1970 season. He then remained close to the team as broadcaster until 2012.

Boston Patriots All-1960s Team (1971)
Unit	Position	Players & Coach
Offense	Quarterback	Vito "Babe" Parilli (QB) 1961–1967
	Running Back	Jim Nance (FB) 1965–1971 Larry Garron (RB) 1960–1968
	Wide Receiver	Jim Colclough (WR) 1960–1968 Art Graham (WR) 1963–1968
	Tight End	Jim Whalen (TE) 1965–1969
	Offensive Line	Charlie Long (T) 1961–1969 Tom Neville (T) 1965–1977 Billy Neighbors (G) 1962–1965 Len St. Jean (G) 1964–1973 Jon Morris (C) 1964–1974
Defense	Defensive Line	Bob Dee (DE) 1960–1967 Larry Eisenhauer (DE) 1961–1969 Houston Antwine (DT) 1961–1971 Jim Lee Hunt (DT) 1960–1970
	Linebacker	Tom Addison (OLB) 1960–1967 Ed Philpott (OLB) 1967–1971 Nick Buoniconti (MLB) 1962–1968
	Cornerback	Chuck Shonta (CB) 1960–1967 Daryl Johnson (CB) 1968–1970
	Safety	Don Webb (SS) 1961–1971 Ron Hall (FS) 1961–1967
Special Teams	Kicker/Punter	Gino Cappelletti (K) 1960–1970 Tom Yewcic (P) 1961–1966
	Returner	Larry Garron 1960–1968
	Coverage	Don Webb 1961–1971
Coach	Coach	Mike Holovak 1961–1968

1970s

In March 2009, as part of the Patriots' 50th anniversary, a group of local media and other team figures selected all-decade teams for the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s:

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sam "Bam" Cunningham is the franchise’s all-time rushing yards leader. He was the leading rusher of the historical 1978 team, in which the Patriots achieved an NFL record 3,165 total rushing yards as a team. This league record stood until 2019, when the Baltimore Ravens surpassed the record.

New England Patriots All-1970s Team (2009)
Unit	Position	Players & Coach
Offense	Quarterback	Steve Grogan (QB) 1975–1990
	Running Back	Sam Cunningham (RB) 1973–1982 Andy Johnson (RB) 1974–1982
	Wide Receiver	Stanley Morgan (WR) 1977–1989 Randy Vataha (WR) 1971–1976
	Tight End	Russ Francis (TE) 1975–1980, 1987–1989
	Offensive Line	Leon Gray (T) 1973–1978 Tom Neville (T) 1965–1977 John Hannah (G) 1973–1985 Sam Adams Sr. (G) 1972–1980 Bill Lenkaitis (C) 1971–1981
Defense	Defensive Line	Julius Adams (DE) 1971–1985, 1987 Tony McGee (DE) 1974–1981 Ray Hamilton (DT) 1973–1981
	Linebacker	Steve Zabel (OLB) 1975–1978 Steve King (OLB) 1973–1981 Steve Nelson (ILB) 1974–1987 Sam Hunt (ILB) 1974–1979
	Cornerback	Raymond Clayborn (CB) 1977–1989 Mike Haynes (CB) 1976–1982
	Safety	Tim Fox (SS) 1976–1981 Prentice McCray (FS) 1974–1980
Special Teams	Kicker/Punter	John Smith (K) 1974–1983 Mike Patrick (P) 1975–1978
	Returner	Mack Herron 1973–1975
	Coverage	Mosi Tatupu 1978–1990
Coach	Coach	Chuck Fairbanks 1973–1978

1980s

In March 2009, as part of the Patriots' 50th anniversary, a group of local media and other team figures selected all-decade teams for the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s:

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

File:Steve Grogan (18806447086) (cropped).jpg

Steve Grogan's 16 seasons with the Patriots is second only to Tom Brady. He was known as one of the toughest players of his era, with his willingness to scramble out of the pocket as well as his prowess to come back from multiple injuries sustained in an era with much less player safety.

New England Patriots All-1980s Team (2009)
Unit	Position	Players & Coach
Offense	Quarterback	Steve Grogan (QB) 1975–1990
	Running Back	Tony Collins (RB) 1981–1987 Craig James (RB) 1984–1988
	Wide Receiver	Stanley Morgan (WR) 1977–1989 Irving Fryar (WR) 1984–1992
	Tight End	Lin Dawson (TE) 1981–1990
	Offensive Line	Bruce Armstrong (T) 1987–2000 Brian Holloway (T) 1981–1986 John Hannah (G) 1973–1985 Ron Wooten (G) 1981–1988 Pete Brock (C) 1976–1987
Defense	Defensive Line	Julius Adams (DE) 1971–1985, 1987 Garin Veris (DE) 1985–1991 Richard Bishop (DT) 1976–1981
	Linebacker	Andre Tippett (OLB) 1982–1993 Don Blackmon (OLB) 1981–1987 Steve Nelson (ILB) 1974–1987 Johnny Rembert (ILB) 1983–1992
	Cornerback	Raymond Clayborn (CB) 1977–1989 Ronnie Lippett (CB) 1983–1991
	Safety	Roland James (SS) 1980–1990 Fred Marion (FS) 1982–1991
Special Teams	Kicker/Punter	Tony Franklin (K) 1984–1987 Rich Camarillo (P) 1981–1987
	Returner	Irving Fryar 1984–1992
	Coverage	Mosi Tatupu 1978–1990
Coach	Coach	Raymond Berry 1984–1989

1990s

In March 2009, as part of the Patriots' 50th anniversary, a group of local media and other team figures selected all-decade teams for the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s:

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Adam Vinatieri began his long and storied career as a kicker with the New England Patriots, kicking multiple, franchise-defining kicks to help the Patriots reach and win three Super Bowls. Vinatieri kicked two famous field goals in the Tuck Rule Game in blizzard-like conditions, as well as the game-winning field goals in the Patriots' first two Super Bowls.

New England Patriots All-1990s Team (2009)
Unit	Position	Players & Coach
Offense	Quarterback	Drew Bledsoe (QB) 1993–2001
	Running Back	Curtis Martin (RB) 1995–1997 Leonard Russell (RB) 1991–1993
	Wide Receiver	Terry Glenn (WR) 1996–2001 Shawn Jefferson (WR) 1996–1999
	Tight End	Ben Coates (TE) 1991–1999
	Offensive Line	Bruce Armstrong (T) 1987–2000 Pat Harlow (T) 1991–1995 Todd Rucci (G) 1993–1999 Max Lane (G) 1994–2000 Dave Wohlabaugh (C) 1995–1998
Defense	Defensive Line	Willie McGinest (DE) 1994–2005 Brent Williams (DE) 1986–1993 Tim Goad (DT) 1988–1994
	Linebacker	Andre Tippett (OLB) 1982–1993 Chris Slade (OLB) 1993–2000 Vincent Brown (ILB) 1988–1995 Ted Johnson (ILB) 1995–2004
	Cornerback	Maurice Hurst (CB) 1989–1995 Ty Law (CB) 1995–2004
	Safety	Willie Clay (SS) 1996–1998 Lawyer Milloy (SS) 1996–2002
Special Teams	Kicker/Punter	Adam Vinatieri (K) 1996–2005 Tom Tupa (P) 1996–1998
	Returner	Dave Meggett 1995–1997
	Coverage	Larry Whigham 1994–2000
Coach	Coach	Bill Parcells 1993–1996

2000s

On March 16, 2010, the Patriots Hall of Fame selection committee selected an all-decade team for the 2000s:

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Wes Welker, even though being undrafted and undersized, broke barriers and re-defined the slot receiver position in the NFL. He holds the franchise's career receptions record (672), single-season receptions record (123 in 2009), and single-season receiving yards record (1,569 yards in 2011).

New England Patriots All-2000s Team (2010)
Unit	Position	Players & Coach
Offense	Quarterback	Tom Brady (QB) 2000–2019
	Running Back	Corey Dillon (RB) 2004–2006
	Wide Receiver	Randy Moss (WR) 2007–2010 Wes Welker (WR) 2007–2012 Troy Brown (WR) 1993–2007
	Tight End	Daniel Graham (TE) 2002–2006
	Offensive Line	Matt Light (T) 2001–2011 Nick Kaczur (T) 2005–2010 Joe Andruzzi (G) 2000–2004 Logan Mankins (G) 2005–2013 Dan Koppen (C) 2003–2011
Defense	Defensive Line	Richard Seymour (DE) 2001–2008 Ty Warren (DE) 2003–2010 Vince Wilfork (DT) 2004–2014
	Linebacker	Willie McGinest (OLB) 1994–2005 Mike Vrabel (OLB) 2001–2008 Tedy Bruschi (ILB) 1996–2008 Roman Phifer (ILB) 2001–2004
	Cornerback	Ty Law (CB) 1995–2004 Asante Samuel (CB) 2003–2007
	Safety	Lawyer Milloy (SS) 1996–2002 Rodney Harrison (SS) 2003–2008
Special Teams	Kicker/Punter	Adam Vinatieri (K) 1996–2005 Josh Miller (P) 2004–2006
	Returner	Kevin Faulk 1999–2011
	Coverage	Larry Izzo 2001–2008
Coach	Coach	Bill Belichick 2000–present

2010s

On April 29, 2020, the Patriots Hall of Fame selection committee selected an all-decade team for the 2010s:

File:Devin McCourty.JPG

Rutgers product Devin McCourty, one of the defensive back-bones of the 2010s teams. A long-time Patriot, McCourty is considered one of the greatest leaders to ever don a Patriots uniform, he has been named a team captain every year of his career since after his rookie season. His contributions have led to his role in three Super Bowl championships.

New England Patriots All-2010s Team (2020)
Unit	Position	Players & Coach
Offense	Quarterback	Tom Brady (QB) 2000–2019
	Running Back	James White (RB) 2014–2021 James Develin (FB) 2012–2019
	Wide Receiver	Wes Welker (WR) 2007–2012 Julian Edelman (WR) 2009–2020 Danny Amendola (Flex) 2013–2017
	Tight End	Rob Gronkowski (TE) 2010–2018
	Offensive Line	Sebastian Vollmer (T) 2009–2016 Nate Solder (T) 2011–2017 Joe Thuney (G) 2016–2020 Logan Mankins (G) 2005–2013 David Andrews (C) 2015–present
Defense	Defensive Line	Chandler Jones (DE) 2012–2015 Trey Flowers (DE) 2015–2018 Vince Wilfork (DT) 2004–2014 Lawrence Guy (DT) 2017–present
	Linebacker	Rob Ninkovich (OLB) 2009–2016 Kyle Van Noy (OLB) 2016–2019, 2021 Jerod Mayo (ILB) 2008–2015 Dont'a Hightower (ILB) 2012–2021
	Cornerback	Malcolm Butler (CB) 2014–2017, 2022–present Stephon Gilmore (CB) 2017–2020
	Safety	Patrick Chung (SS) 2009–2012, 2014–2019 Devin McCourty (FS) 2010–present
Special Teams	Kicker/Punter	Stephen Gostkowski (K) 2006–2019 Ryan Allen (P) 2013–2018
	Returner	Julian Edelman 2009–2020
	Coverage	Matthew Slater 2008–present
Coach	Coach	Bill Belichick 2000–present

Patriots Anniversary teams

35th Anniversary team (1994)

In 1994, a group of local media selected a 35th anniversary team:

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

File:Steve Nelson (18005928355) (cropped).jpg

Steve Nelson was a defensive anchor for the Patriots for 14 seasons at linebacker. He led the Patriots in tackles in eight of his 14 seasons, including an unofficial team record of 207 in 1984.

New England Patriots 35th Anniversary Team (1994)
Unit	Position	Players
Offense	Quarterback	Steve Grogan (QB) 1975–1990
	Running Back	Jim Nance (FB) 1965–1971 Sam Cunningham (HB) 1973–1982
	Wide Receiver	Stanley Morgan (WR) 1977–1989 Gino Cappelletti (WR) 1960–1970
	Tight End	Russ Francis (TE) 1975–1980, 1987–1989
	Offensive Line	Bruce Armstrong (T) 1987–2000 Tom Neville (T) 1965–1977 John Hannah (G) 1973–1985 Sam Adams Sr. (G) 1972–1980 Jon Morris (C) 1964–1974
Defense	Defensive Line	Julius Adams (DE) 1971–1985, 1987 Larry Eisenhauer (DE) 1961–1969 Houston Antwine (DT) 1961–1971 Jim Lee Hunt (DT) 1960–1970
	Linebacker	Andre Tippett (LB) 1982–1993 Nick Buoniconti (LB) 1962–1968 Steve Nelson (LB) 1974–1987 Sam Hunt (LB) 1974–1979
	Cornerback	Mike Haynes (CB) 1976–1982 Raymond Clayborn (CB) 1977–1989
	Safety	Ron Hall (SS) 1961–1967 Fred Marion (FS) 1982–1991
Special Teams	Kicker/Punter	Gino Cappelletti (K) 1960–1970 Rich Camarillo (P) 1981-1987
	Coverage	Mosi Tatupu 1978–1990

50th Anniversary team (2009)

In 2009, the Patriots Hall of Fame selection committee selected a 50th anniversary team:

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

File:Rodney Harrison.jpg

Rodney Harrison joined the team after the Patriots failed to repeat as champions in the 2002. His mental toughness and work ethic was a perfect fit and led to Harrison having a big role in the Patriots winning back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 2003 and 2004.

New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team (2009)
Unit	Position	Players & Coach
Offense	Quarterback	Tom Brady (QB) 2000–2019
	Running Back	Jim Nance (FB) 1965–1971 Sam Cunningham (RB) 1973–1982
	Wide Receiver	Stanley Morgan (WR) 1977–1989 Troy Brown (WR) 1993–2007 Irving Fryar (WR) 1984–1992
	Tight End	Ben Coates (TE) 1991–1999
	Offensive Line	Bruce Armstrong (T) 1987–2000 Matt Light (T) 2001–2011 John Hannah (G) 1973–1985 Logan Mankins (G) 2005–2013 Jon Morris (C) 1964–1974
Defense	Defensive Line	Julius Adams (DE) 1971–1985, 1987 Richard Seymour (DE) 2001–2008 Houston Antwine (DT) 1961–1971 Vince Wilfork (DT) 2004–2014
	Linebacker	Andre Tippett (OLB) 1982–1993 Mike Vrabel (OLB) 2001–2008 Steve Nelson (ILB) 1974–1987 Nick Buoniconti (ILB) 1962–1968
	Cornerback	Mike Haynes (CB) 1976–1982 Ty Law (CB) 1995–2004
	Safety	Rodney Harrison (SS) 2003–2008 Fred Marion (FS) 1982–1991
Special Teams	Kicker/Punter	Adam Vinatieri (K) 1996–2005 Rich Camarillo (P) 1981-1987
	Returner	Kevin Faulk 1999–2011
	Coverage	Mosi Tatupu 1978–1990
Captains	Captains	Gino Cappelletti (Offense) 1960–1970 Tedy Bruschi (Defense) 1996–2008
Coach	Coach	Bill Belichick 2000–present

All-Dynasty team (2001–2019)

On October 22, 2020, the Patriots Hall of Fame selection committee selected an "All–Dynasty team" to celebrate the greatest members of the team during the Patriots dynasty from 2001–2019:

Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Vince Wilfork was drafted in the 2004 NFL draft and contributed immediately. Wilfork is known as one of the greatest nose tackles in NFL history, and was a favorite amongst teammates and fans alike. A member of two Super Bowl winning teams, Wilfork was the only Patriots player besides Tom Brady to have won in both halves of the dynasty (2004 and 2014).

New England Patriots All–Dynasty Team (2001–2019)
Unit	Position	Players & Coach
Offense	Quarterback	Tom Brady (QB) 2000–2019
	Running Back	Kevin Faulk (RB) 1999–2011 Corey Dillon (RB) 2004–2006 James White (RB) 2014–2021 James Develin (FB) 2012–2019
	Wide Receiver	Troy Brown (WR) 1993–2007 Wes Welker (WR) 2007–2012 Randy Moss (WR) 2007–2010 Julian Edelman (WR) 2009–2020
	Tight End	Daniel Graham (TE) 2002–2006 Rob Gronkowski (TE) 2010–2018
	Offensive Line	Matt Light (T) 2001–2011 Sebastian Vollmer (T) 2009–2016 Nate Solder (T) 2011–2017 Joe Andruzzi (G) 2000–2004 Logan Mankins (G) 2005–2013 Joe Thuney (G) 2016–2020 Dan Koppen (C) 2003–2011
Defense	Defensive Line	Richard Seymour (DE) 2001–2008 Ty Warren (DE) 2003–2010 Vince Wilfork (DT) 2004–2014
	Linebacker	Willie McGinest (OLB) 1994–2005 Mike Vrabel (OLB) 2001–2008 Rob Ninkovich (OLB) 2009–2016 Tedy Bruschi (ILB) 1996–2008 Roman Phifer (ILB) 2001–2004 Dont'a Hightower (ILB) 2012–2021
	Cornerback	Ty Law (CB) 1995–2004 Asante Samuel (CB) 2003–2007 Stephon Gilmore (CB) 2017–2020
	Safety	Rodney Harrison (SS) 2003–2008 Devin McCourty (FS) 2010–present Patrick Chung (SS) 2009–2012
Special Teams	Kicker/Punter	Adam Vinatieri (K) 1996–2005 Ryan Allen (P) 2013-2018
	Returner	Bethel Johnson 2003–2005 Ellis Hobbs 2005–2008 Julian Edelman 2009–2020
	Coverage	Larry Izzo 2001–2008 Matthew Slater 2008–present
Long snapper	Long snapper	Lonie Paxton 2000–2008 Joe Cardona 2015–present
Coach	Coach	Bill Belichick 2000–present

Pro Bowl players

The following Patriots players have been named to the Pro Bowl (or the AFL All-Star game prior to 1970):

Only one Patriot has been named Pro Bowl MVP, Ty Law was co-MVP at the 1999 Pro Bowl.

File:Matthew Slater 2019.jpg

Special teams gunner Matthew Slater, known as one of the greatest special teams players ever, holds the record for most Pro Bowls selections of any special teams player with 10.

• QB Tom Brady (14), Drew Bledsoe, Vito "Babe" Parilli (3) (AFL), Mac Jones, Mike Taliaferro
• FB Larry Garron (4) (AFL), Jim Nance (2) (AFL), Sam Cunningham, James Develin
• HB Curtis Martin (2), Tony Collins, Corey Dillon, John Stephens, Craig James, Carl Garrett (AFL)
• LT Bruce Armstrong (6), Matt Light, Brian Holloway (3), Leon Gray (2), Don Oakes (AFL)
• LG John Hannah (9), Logan Mankins (6), Charley Long (2) (AFL), Charley Leo (AFL)
• C Jon Morris (7) (AFL), Damien Woody, Dan Koppen
• RG Billy Neighbors (AFL), Len St. Jean (AFL), Brian Waters
• RT Tom Neville (AFL), Dick Klein (AFL)
• TE Rob Gronkowski, Ben Coates (5), Russ Francis (3), Marv Cook (2)
• WR Wes Welker, Gino Cappelletti (5) (AFL), Stanley Morgan (4), Randy Moss, Troy Brown, Terry Glenn, Irving Fryar, Ron Sellers (AFL), Jim Colclough (AFL)
• DE Richard Seymour (5), Bob Dee (4) (AFL), Larry Eisenhauer (4) (AFL), Julius Adams, Andre Carter, Chandler Jones
• DT Houston Antwine (6) (AFL), Vince Wilfork (5), Jim Lee Hunt (4) (AFL)
• LB Andre Tippett, Nick Buoniconti (5) (AFL), Tom Addison (4) (AFL), Steve Nelson (3), Johnny Rembert, Willie McGinest, Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower (2), Chris Slade, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Jamie Collins, Matthew Judon
• CB Mike Haynes (6), Ty Law (4), Stephon Gilmore (3), Dick Felt (AFL), Chuck Shonta (AFL), Leroy Mitchell (AFL), Asante Samuel, Devin McCourty, Aqib Talib, Darrelle Revis, Malcolm Butler, J.C. Jackson
• SS Lawyer Milloy (4), Fred Bruney (2) (AFL), Ron Hall (AFL),
• FS Brandon Meriweather (2), Don Webb (AFL), Fred Marion, Devin McCourty
• PK Stephen Gostkowski (4), Adam Vinatieri (2), John Smith, Tony Franklin
• P Rich Camarillo, Jake Bailey
• ST Matthew Slater (10), Raymond Clayborn (3), Larry Izzo (2), Mosi Tatupu, Dave Meggett

All-Pro selections

The following Patriots players have been named AP First Team All-Pro (or All-AFL prior to 1970):

File:Stephon Gilmore 2019.jpg

Former cornerback Stephon Gilmore was an integral member of the Patriot's late 2010s defense, achieving 2x First Team All-Pro honors and the franchise's first NFL DPOY recipient in 2019.

• QB Tom Brady (3), Vito "Babe" Parilli (AFL)
• FB Jim Nance (AFL) (2)
• LT Leon Gray (3), Matt Light
• LG John Hannah (7), Logan Mankins
• C Jon Morris (AFL)
• RG Billy Neighbors (AFL)
• TE Rob Gronkowski (4), Ben Coates (2), Marv Cook, Jim Whalen (AFL)
• WR Wes Welker (2), Randy Moss
• DE Richard Seymour, Larry Eisenhauer (AFL) (3)
• DT Houston Antwine (AFL), Vince Wilfork
• LB Nick Buoniconti (4) (AFL), Andre Tippett (2), Tom Addison (AFL), Mike Vrabel, Jerod Mayo
• CB Ty Law, Stephon Gilmore (2), Asante Samuel, Darrelle Revis
• SS Ron Hall (AFL), Lawyer Milloy, Rodney Harrison
• PK Adam Vinatieri, Stephen Gostkowski (2)
• P Jake Bailey
• ST Matthew Slater (2), Gunner Olszewski

All-time first-round draft picks

Main article: List of New England Patriots first-round draft picks

Administration and personnel

File:RobertKraftPatriots (cropped).jpg

Robert Kraft, a Massachusetts native and a Patriots fanatic before purchasing the team, purchased the Patriots in 1994.

Ownership

The Patriots have had four owners since becoming a franchise, the first being Massachusetts native Billy Sullivan from 1959 to 1988. During Sullivan's 28 seasons of owning the club, the Patriots tallied 14 winning records, made six playoff appearances, played in the 1963 AFL Championship Game and represented the AFC in Super Bowl XX. However, he was also notoriously cheap, and would cause friction with some his high-profile players who were seeking to be respected and paid what they were worth, causing some like future Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Haynes to seek an owner who was team first.

Following his bankruptcy, Sullivan sold the team to Remington Products owner Victor Kiam in 1988. The sale did not include Foxboro Stadium, which Sullivan lost in a bankruptcy sale to paper magnate Robert Kraft, and Kiam lost money on the deal. In 1990, Lisa Olson, a Boston Herald reporter, sued Kiam and the Patriots when Zeke Mowatt allegedly exposed himself and made lewd comments to her in the team change room. The incident stirred debate over female reporters in the locker room. Kiam became the center of the controversy when he came to the defense of the players' actions.

In his later career, Kiam's business interests moved on from the Patriots, so he sold them in 1992 to St. Louis businessman James Orthwein. During his ownership, Orthwein hired Bill Parcells as head coach and oversaw the drafting of first-overall draft pick quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who helped to return the moribund franchise to respectability. He planned to relocate the Patriots franchise to St. Louis, renaming the team the St. Louis Stallions. However, those plans were derailed when Boston paper magnate Robert Kraft, owner of Foxboro Stadium, refused to accept a buyout of the lease. Kraft used his ownership of the stadium to stage a hostile takeover, offering to pay $175 million for the Patriots franchise knowing that Orthwein no longer wanted the team if he could not move it to St. Louis. Although future St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke offered to buy the team for $200 million and move it to St. Louis, Orthwein would have been saddled with all moving expenses. He also would have been responsible for any legal expenses as well, and Kraft had already made it clear that he would go to court to enforce the lease. With no other choice, Orthwein accepted Kraft's bid on January 21, 1994.

Kraft had been a life-long fan (he was a season ticket holder since 1971) before he purchased the team and intended to support them much more than all of the previous owners did, making multiple moves that have turned New England into an admirable franchise since. The Patriots under Kraft have been the NFL's most successful franchise since 1994. Since then, the Patriots have appeared in ten Super Bowls, have won six, and had numerous league records established by the franchise.

Name	Tenure	Record			Titles
		W	L	T
Billy Sullivan	1960–1987	193	202	9
Victor Kiam	1988–1991	21	43	0
James Orthwein	1992–1993	7	25	0
Robert Kraft	1994–present	308	141	0	6

Head Coaches

Main article: List of New England Patriots head coaches

Bill Belichick, head coach since 2000, has led the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles. He is widely known as one of the greatest coaches of all time by many publications, and is generally known as the greatest Patriots coach of all time.

The Patriots have had 14 head coaches throughout their history as a franchise. Bill Belichick has the longest tenure as head coach (23 seasons) with the Patriots, and has been coach since 2000. He has been widely considered one of the greatest coaches of all time, and was named a member of the NFL 100th All-Time Anniversary Team, due to his countless accomplishments with the Patriots. He has specifically led the Patriots to 17 AFC East division titles, 13 appearances in the AFC Championship Game, and nine Super Bowl appearances, with a record six wins.

Belichick is the NFL's longest-tenured active head coach, as well as the first all-time in playoff coaching wins with 31 and third in regular season coaching wins in the NFL with 290. He is one of only three head coaches who have won six NFL titles. He was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year for the 2003, 2007, and 2010 seasons. Belichick has led the team for more regular season games (336), post-season games (41) and more complete seasons (22) than any other head coach. His 254 wins with the Patriots are far and away the most in franchise history, more than three times those of runner-up Mike Holovak.

Belichick was acquired in a "trade" with the rival New York Jets. Belichick did not want to be under Bill Parcells' authority there in 2000, with uncertainty of his role once their owner, Leon Hess, died. The initial promise was that Belichick would've been granted extreme authority over all of the Jets executive decisions, but when Hess passed away Parcells overruled the stipulation with loopholes, so he would remain in control as GM, leading to Belichick's infamous resignation in 2000. Parcells, a two winning Super Bowl champion coach with the New York Giants (also was an assistant with the Patriots in the early 1980s), had joined New England's staff for the 1993 season to help resurrect the franchise from its dark early 1990s days but had conflicted interests with owner Robert Kraft. In his last year with the Patriots in 1996, Parcells brought in his assistant head coach from his Giants days, Belichick, after being dismissed from coaching five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Here, Kraft would plant the seeds of a bond between he and Belichick, as Belichick would often mediate issues between Kraft and Parcells. Although Belichick left in 1997 to once again be Parcells assistant in their Jets regime, cold feet about his long-term role there brought him back after negotiating with Kraft, even though he was still under contract with the Jets. The Patriots had technically "tampered" in communicating with Belichick. For compensation, the Patriots gave the Jets their first round pick in the 2000 NFL draft, where even without their first round pick, the Patriots would coincidentally draft Tom Brady in the sixth round, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time and the NFL's greatest draft steal.

While Belichick led the team to nine of their eleven Super Bowl appearances, winning six of them, before him the Patriots saw some championship game appearances. Holovak, Raymond Berry and Parcells all led the Patriots to league championship games, with only one coach failing to reach the Super Bowl. Five Patriots head coaches, Holovak, Chuck Fairbanks, Berry, Parcells, and Belichick, have been named coach of the year by at least one major news organization. The first head coach in franchise history was Lou Saban, who coached them to a 7–12–0 record in the 1960/1961 season. Additionally, Raymond Berry is a member (as a player) of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 1973, eleven years before he became the Patriots' head coach.

Name	Tenure	Record			Titles
		W	L	T
Lou Saban	1960–1961	7	12	0
Mike Holovak	1961–1968	52	49	9
Clive Rush	1969–1970	5	16	0
John Mazur	1971–1972	9	21	0
Phil Bengtson*	1972	1	4	0
Chuck Fairbanks	1973–1978	46	39	0
Ron Erhardt	1979–1981	21	28	0
Ron Meyer	1982–1984	18	15	0
Raymond Berry	1984–1989	48	39	0
Rod Rust	1990	1	15	0
Dick MacPherson	1991–1992	8	24	0
Bill Parcells	1993–1996	32	32	0
Pete Carroll	1997–1999	27	21	0
Bill Belichick	2000–present	254	99	0	6

*Interim head coaches

New England Patriots staff
	Front office Chairman/CEO – Robert Kraft President – Jonathan Kraft Director of player personnel – Nick Caserio Director of college scouting – Monti Ossenfort Director of scouting administration – Nancy Meier Director of pro scouting – Bob Quinn Assistant director of pro scouting – Dave Ziegler Football research director – Ernie Adams Assistant to the coaching staff – Michael Lombardi Head coaches Head coach-general manager – Bill Belichick Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator-quarterbacks – Josh McDaniels Running backs – Ivan Fears Wide receivers – Chad O'Shea Tight ends – Brian Daboll Offensive line – Dave DeGuglielmo			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Matt Patricia Linebackers – Patrick Graham Cornerbacks – Josh Boyer Safeties – Brian Flores Defensive line-assistant – Brendan Daly Special teams coaches Special teams – Joe Judge Assistant special teams - Raymond Ventrone Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Harold Nash Assistant strength and conditioning – Moses Cabrera Coaching assistants Steve Belichick Jerry Schuplinski → Coaching staff → Management → More NFL staffs
AFC East BUF MIA NE NYJ North BAL CIN CLE PIT South HOU IND JAX TEN West DEN KC OAK SD NFC East DAL NYG PHI WAS North CHI DET GB MIN South ATL CAR NO TB West ARI LA SF SEA

Offensive coordinator history

Source:

Years	Name
2012–2021	Josh McDaniels
2011	Bill O'Brien
2006–2008	Josh McDaniels
2000–2004	Charlie Weis
1998–1999	Ernie Zampese
1997	Larry Kennan
1993–1996	Ray Perkins
1991–1992	Dick Coury
1990	Jimmy Raye II
1982–1984	Lew Erber
1977–1978	Ron Erhardt
1973–1976	Red Miller

Defensive coordinator history

Source:

Years	Name
2012–2017	Matt Patricia
2006–2009	Dean Pees
2005	Eric Mangini
2001–2004	Romeo Crennel
1997–1999	Steve Sidwell
1993–1996	Al Groh
1991–1992	Joe Collier
1990	Charlie Sumner
1983–1987	Rod Rust
1982	Jim E. Mora
1980–1981	Fritz Shurmur
1973–1978	Hank Bullough

Culture

Patriots fans rally in front of Boston City Hall following the team's Super Bowl XXXVIII championship in 2003.

Cheerleaders

Main article: New England Patriots Cheerleaders

The team's cheerleading squad performing a routine in 2007

The Patriots' professional cheerleading squad is the New England Patriots Cheerleaders which represents the team in the NFL. Notable alumni of the cheerleading squad include wrestler Carmella and model Camille Kostek. Long-time cheerleading director Tracy Sormanti, who was the cheer director since 1994 and had been involved with the organization since 1983, passed away after a three-year battle with multiple myeloma in 2020. She was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2021 as a contributor.

Mascots

File:PatPatriot.jpg

Pat Patriot in 2009

The Patriots' official mascot since 1995 has been Pat Patriot, a revolutionary minuteman wearing a Patriots home jersey based off the original logo of the same name.

The Patriots also employ a corps known as the End Zone Militia, a group of American Revolutionary War reenactors founded in 1996 by Geoff Campbell, a reenactor for the 9th Massachusetts Regiment (26th Continental Regiment). Consisting of about 30 men and women, they dress 20 for each home game and split themselves into two groups of 10 lining the back of either end zone. When the Patriots score – whether it be a touchdown, field goal, point-after-touchdown or safety – the militia behind the opposite end zone fire a volley of blanks from flintlock muskets. Per an interview with the Loren & Wally Show on WROR 105.7 FM in and around the time of Super Bowl XLIX, said shots use double the load of black powder than a regular historical reenactor does, specifically 200 grains, in order to be heard throughout the stadium. ESPN writer Josh Pahigian named this one of the top ten celebrations in the league in 2007.

Entrance theme

Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" has become an unofficial theme song and entrance anthem for the Patriots at their home games and Super Bowls, starting when they hosted the NFL Kickoff at Gillette Stadium on September 8, 2005.

Radio and television

For a more comprehensive list, see List of New England Patriots broadcasters.

Map of New England Patriots radio affiliates

The Patriots' flagship radio station is WBZ-FM (98.5 FM, otherwise known as "The Sports Hub"), owned by Beasley Broadcast Group. The larger radio network is called the New England Patriots Radio Network, whose 37 affiliate stations span seven states. Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti were the longtime announcing team until their retirement following the conclusion of the 2012 NFL season. Santos was replaced by Bob Socci. Former Patriots QB Scott Zolak joined the radio team in the 2011 season as a sideline analyst, and in 2013, he replaced Cappelletti as color commentator.

Any preseason games not on national television are shown on CBS's O&O WBZ-TV, who also airs the bulk of Patriots regular-season games by virtue of CBS having the rights to most AFC games; CBS also has a presence at the nearby Patriot Place with the "CBS Scene" bar and restaurant. During the regular season whenever the Patriots host an NFC team, the games are aired on Fox affiliate WFXT-TV, and NBC Sunday Night Football games are carried by Boston NBC station WBTS-CD. Preseason games were broadcast on ABC affiliate WCVB-TV from 1995 until the change to WBZ in 2009 (WCVB continues to simulcast ESPN's Monday Night Football games featuring the Patriots). Don Criqui was play-by-play announcer for the 1995–2012 seasons, with Randy Cross as a color commentator and Mike Lynch as a sideline reporter. Lynch was replaced by WBZ reporter Steve Burton in 2009.

Controversies

See also: List of conspiracy theories § New England Patriots

"Spygate"

Main article: Spygate (NFL)

During the 2007 season, the New England Patriots were disciplined by the league for videotaping New York Jets' defensive coaches' signals from an unauthorized location during a September 9, 2007 game. Videotaping opposing coaches is not illegal in the NFL de jure, but there are designated areas allowed by the league to do such taping. After an investigation, the NFL fined Patriots head coach Bill Belichick $500,000 for his role in the incident, fined the Patriots $250,000, and docked the team their original first-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft which would have been the 31st pick of the draft.

"Deflategate"

Main article: Deflategate

During the 2015 AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts, allegations arose that the Patriots were using under-inflated footballs. It was even suggested that the Patriots' staff themselves deliberately deflated the footballs to give their team an unfair advantage during the playoffs. A lengthy investigation and heated debate commenced shortly afterwards, with a full report being published in May 2015. The Wells Report found that balls provided by the Patriots, who were the home team, indeed had less pressure on average than the balls provided by the Colts. Also notable was the findings of some suggestions of communication between Tom Brady and two Patriots locker room attendants, indicating Brady was likely "generally aware" of the situation and that the Patriots staff intentionally deflated the footballs. A later study by the American Enterprise Institute called the evidence and methodology of the Wells report "deeply flawed" and "unreliable".

In the aftermath of the incident, the NFL suspended Brady without pay for the first four games of the 2015 season, fined the Patriots $1 million, and forced them to forfeit their 2016 first round draft pick and 2017 fourth round draft pick. Brady appealed his suspension, which was eventually vacated by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, only for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to reinstate it a year later for the 2016 NFL season. Brady eventually agreed to serve the suspension in 2016, but led the Patriots to win Super Bowl LI in spite of it.

See also

• Forbes list of the most valuable sports teams
• List of Super Bowl records
• List of National Football League records (team)
• Active NFL playoff appearance streaks
• Sports in Massachusetts
• Sports in Boston

External links

• Official Patriots Hall of Fame website
• New England Patriots at the National Football League official website
• Works by or about New England Patriots in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
• "New England Patriots collected news and commentary" The New York Times

Preceded by Baltimore Ravens	Super Bowl champions 2001 (XXXVI)	Succeeded by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Preceded by Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Super Bowl champions 2003 (XXXVIII), 2004 (XXXIX)	Succeeded by Pittsburgh Steelers
Preceded by Seattle Seahawks	Super Bowl champions 2014 (XLIX)	Succeeded by Denver Broncos
Preceded by Denver Broncos	Super Bowl champions 2016 (LI)	Succeeded by Philadelphia Eagles
Preceded by Philadelphia Eagles	Super Bowl champions 2018 (LIII)	Succeeded by Kansas City Chiefs