The 2023 season was the New England Patriots' 54th in the National Football League (NFL), their 64th overall, their 22nd playing home games at Gillette Stadium and their 24th and final under head coach Bill Belichick.
The Patriots started 1–5 for the first time since 1995. Following their Week 12 loss to the New York Giants, the Patriots failed to improve on their 8–9 record from 2022. This was the first time the Patriots had back-to-back losing seasons since 1992–1993. The Patriots missed the postseason for the second consecutive year (and third in four seasons). Following a Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots finished last in the AFC East for the first time since 2000. The 4–13 record marked Belichick's worst-ever season as an NFL head coach, and the Patriots' worst season since 1992.
The team's offense finished last in scoring (tied with the Panthers). They were also shutout twice, failed to score 10 or more points in six games, failed to score 20 or more points in 12 games, and failed to score 30 or more points for the first time since 1991. The Patriots also failed to win consecutive games for the first time since 1990. Belichick and the Patriots mutually agreed to part ways following the season's conclusion.
Roster changes
Free agency
Unrestricted PositionPlayer2023 teamDate signedContractWRNelson AgholorBaltimore RavensMarch 29, 20231 year, $3.25 millionOTMarcus CannonLSJoe CardonaNew England PatriotsMarch 21, 20234 years, $6.3 millionDTCarl DavisNew England PatriotsMarch 13, 20231 year, $1.3175 millionFSCody DavisNew England PatriotsMarch 21, 20231 year, $2.2 millionDTDaniel EkualeNew England PatriotsMarch 23, 20232 years, $3.4 millionRBDamien HarrisBuffalo BillsMarch 21, 20231 year, $1.77 millionCBJonathan JonesNew England PatriotsMarch 13, 20232 years, $19 millionWRJakobi MeyersLas Vegas RaidersMarch 16, 20233 years, $33 millionPMichael PalardySSJabrill PeppersNew England PatriotsMarch 17, 20232 years, $9 millionCBJoejuan WilliamsMinnesota VikingsApril 17, 20231 year, $1.1 millionOLBMack WilsonNew England PatriotsMarch 20, 20231 year, $1.6 millionOT Isaiah WynnMiami DolphinsMay 14, 20231 year, $2.3 million
Restricted PositionPlayer2023 teamDate signedContractCBMyles BryantNew England PatriotsApril 17, 20231 year, $2.627 millionOTYodny CajusteNew England PatriotsApril 5, 20231 year, $2.743 million
Signings/waiver claims
PlayerPositionPrevious teamDate signedContractCalvin AndersonOTDenver BroncosMarch 16, 20232 years, $7 millionJames RobinsonRBNew York JetsMarch 17, 20232 years, $4 millionJuju Smith-SchusterWRKansas City Chiefs3 years, $25.5 millionMike GesickiTEMiami DolphinsMarch 20, 20231 year, $4.5 millionRiley ReiffOTChicago Bears1 year, $5 millionChris BoardLBDetroit LionsMarch 22, 20232 years, $5 millionCorliss WaitmanPDenver BroncosMarch 23, 20231 year, $990,000Trace McSorleyQBArizona CardinalsApril 13, 20231 year, $1.08 millionAnthony FirkserTEAtlanta FalconsMay 25, 20231 year, $1.08 millionEzekiel ElliottRBDallas CowboysAugust 16, 20231 year, $3 millionMarquan McCallDTCarolina PanthersAugust 22, 20233 years, $2.575 millionMatt CorralQBCarolina PanthersAugust 31, 20234 years, $5.094 millionBailey ZappeQBNew England PatriotsSeptember 9, 20231 year, $870,000Ty Montgomery IIRBNew England Patriots1 year, $1.165 millionWill GrierQBCincinnati BengalsSeptember 21, 20231 year, $370,800Malik CunninghamQBNew England PatriotsOctober 14, 20233 years, $2.725 millionJalen ReagorWRNew England PatriotsOctober 26, 20231 year, $1.01 millionAlex AustinCBHouston TexansNovember 2, 20231 year, $750,000Jeremiah Pharms Jr.DTNew England PatriotsNovember 4, 20231 year, $750,000JaMycal HastyRBJacksonville JaguarsNovember 13, 20232 years, $2.9 millionConor McDermottOTNew England PatriotsNovember 25, 20231 year, $1.08 millionChristian EllissLBPhiladelphia EaglesDecember 8, 20232 years, $1.575 millionNathan RourkeQBJacksonville JaguarsDecember 18, 20231 year, $750,000Kevin HarrisRBNew England PatriotsDecember 19, 20231 year, $705,000James FerentzCNew England PatriotsDecember 23, 20231 year, $1.08 millionMarco WilsonCBArizona CardinalsDecember 27, 20234 years, $4.13 millionLa'Michael PettwayTENew England PatriotsJanuary 6, 2024
Releases/waivers PositionPlayerDate released/waivedQBBrian HoyerMarch 16, 2023WRLynn Bowden Jr.May 10, 2023OTYodny CajusteMay 18, 2023WRTre NixonAugust 22, 2023DTMarquan McCallAugust 23, 2023DTCarl Davis Jr.August 26, 2023CBQuandre MoselyLBDiego FagotAugust 27, 2023SBrad Hawkins Jr.TEJohnny LumpkinRBC. J. MarableDBRodney Randle Jr.DTJustus TavaiOTMicah VanterpoolTEScotty WashingtonLBCarson WellsQBTrace McSorleyAugust 28, 2023PCorliss WaitmanSJoshuah BledsoeAugust 29, 2023QBMalik CunninghamCJames FerentzTEAnthony FirkserLBJoe Giles-HarrisRBKevin HarrisGChasen HinesRBTy Montgomery IILBCalvin MunsonGBill MurrayLBRonnie PerkinsDTJeremiah Pharms Jr.WRThyrick PittsCKody RusseyTEMatt SokolGAndrew StueberRBJ. J. TaylorWRRaleigh WebbQBBailey ZappeQBIan BookSeptember 18, 2023QBMatt CorralPCorliss WaitmanOctober 4, 2023CBAmeer SpeedOctober 19, 2023QBMalik CunninghamOctober 24, 2023DETrey FlowersCBJack JonesNovember 13, 2023QBWill GrierNovember 25, 2023RBTy Montgomery IIDecember 8, 2023
Trades
March 16 – Tight end Jonnu Smith was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2023 seventh-round selection (No. 245). August 27 – Running back Pierre Strong Jr. was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. August 27 – The Patriots traded a 2024 sixth-round selection to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for offensive tackle Vederian Lowe. August 29 – Kicker Nick Folk was traded to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round selection. October 5 – The Patriots traded a 2025 sixth-round selection to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for cornerback J. C. Jackson and a 2025 seventh-round selection.
Draft
+ 2023 New England Patriots draft selections Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 17 Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon From Pittsburgh 2 46 Keion White DE Georgia Tech 3 76 Marte Mapu MLB Sacramento State From Carolina 4 107 Jake Andrews C Troy From Rams 112 Chad Ryland K Maryland From Jets 117 Sidy Sow G Eastern Michigan 5 144 Atonio Mafi G UCLA From Falcons via Raiders 6 187 Kayshon Boutte WR LSU From Panthers 192 Bryce Baringer P Michigan State 210 Demario Douglas WR Liberty Compensatory pick 214 Ameer Speed CB Michigan State Compensatory pick; from Raiders 7 245 Isaiah Bolden CB Jackson State From Bills via Falcons
+ 2023 New England Patriots undrafted free agents Name Position College Ref. Malik Cunningham QB Louisville Jourdan Heilig LB Appalachian State Johnny Lumpkin TE Louisiana
Draft trades
Staff
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Houston Texans L 9–20 0–1 Gillette Stadium Recap 2 at Green Bay Packers W 21–17 1–1 Lambeau Field Recap 3 at Tennessee Titans L 7–23 1–2 Nissan Stadium Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 10 Philadelphia Eagles L 20–25 0–1 Gillette Stadium Recap 2 September 17 Miami Dolphins L 17–24 0–2 Gillette Stadium Recap 3 September 24 at New York Jets W 15–10 1–2 MetLife Stadium Recap 4 October 1 at Dallas Cowboys L 3–38 1–3 AT&T Stadium Recap 5 October 8 New Orleans Saints L 0–34 1–4 Gillette Stadium Recap 6 October 15 at Las Vegas Raiders L 17–21 1–5 Allegiant Stadium Recap 7 October 22 Buffalo Bills W 29–25 2–5 Gillette Stadium Recap 8 October 29 at Miami Dolphins L 17–31 2–6 Hard Rock Stadium Recap 9 November 5 Washington Commanders L 17–20 2–7 Gillette Stadium Recap 10 November 12 Indianapolis Colts L 6–10 2–8 Deutsche Bank Park Recap 11 Bye 12 November 26 at New York Giants L 7–10 2–9 MetLife Stadium Recap 13 December 3 Los Angeles Chargers L 0–6 2–10 Gillette Stadium Recap 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 21–18 3–10 Acrisure Stadium Recap 15 December 17 Kansas City Chiefs L 17–27 3–11 Gillette Stadium Recap 16 December 24 at Denver Broncos W 26–23 4–11 Empower Field at Mile High Recap 17 December 31 at Buffalo Bills L 21–27 4–12 Highmark Stadium Recap 18 January 7 New York Jets L 3–17 4–13 Gillette Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
In the Patriots season opener, they hosted the Eagles. On a day where the team honored longtime quarterback Tom Brady in their halftime ceremony, it was spoiled by an Eagles victory. The loss was the team's third consecutive season where they lost their season opener. The Patriots started off the season 0–1.
Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins
With the loss, the Patriots started 0-2 for the first time since 2001.
Week 3: at New York Jets
The Patriots picked up their first win of the season, improving to 1–2. Additionally, this win marked the team's 15th straight victory over the Jets in their rivalry, dating back to 2016.
Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys
Bill Belichick endured his worst loss ever as a head coach. Two defensive touchdowns by the Cowboys sealed the defeat. The Patriots dropped to 1–3 after this game.
Week 5: vs. New Orleans Saints
For the second straight week, the Patriots failed to score a touchdown. This was the team's first shutout loss since 2016. They dropped to 1–4.
Week 6: at Las Vegas Raiders
The Patriots lost to the Raiders for the second year in a row, and had their worst start in the Bill Belichick era. They dropped to 1–5 for the first time since 1995.
Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills
This win, their first in three games, as well as their first against the Bills in two years, marks Bill Belichick's 300th in his head coaching career. This would end up being the Patriots' only win at home this season.
Week 8: at Miami Dolphins
For the second time in three years, the Patriots got swept by the Dolphins.
Week 9: vs. Washington Commanders
With their first loss to Washington since 2003, the Patriots fell to 2-7. This was also their first home loss to the Commanders since 1996.
Week 10: vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL Germany games
This was the Patriots' first-ever regular season game in Germany and were the designated home team; this was their first "home" loss to the Colts since 2006. The Patriots would enter their Week 11 bye at 2-8.
Week 12: at New York Giants
Chad Ryland missing a game-tying field goal with 6 seconds left would result in the Patriots dropping to 2-9 with their first road loss against the Giants since 1987. As a result, New England was swept by the NFC East and finished 0-5 against the NFC. This would also be the last time that Mac Jones would serve as the starting quarterback of the Patriots.
Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Patriots fell to 2–10, securing their first season with 10 or more losses since 2000, which was Belichick's first season coaching the team. This was the Patriots' first five-game losing streak since 1995. Plus, this was the first time in franchise history that the Patriots were shut out at home twice in a season. Also, the Patriots became the first team since the 1938 Cardinals to allow 10 or fewer points in three consecutive games and lose all of them. In addition it was their first loss to the Chargers since 2008.How Patriots Made Unfortunate NFL History In Loss To Chargers, NESN, December 3, 2023
Week 14: at Pittsburgh Steelers
The win not only snapped the Patriots' five-game losing streak but also marked their 3rd win over Pittsburgh since 2019. On top of that, the Patriots scored more points in this game than in their previous three games combined. However, the Patriots were eliminated from postseason contention when the Bengals defeated the Colts the following Sunday.Patriots eliminated from playoff contention for just the sixth time of Bill Belichick era, CBS Boston, December 11, 2023
Week 15: vs. Kansas City Chiefs This marked the 3rd time the Patriots lost to the Chiefs since 2019, having not won against them since the 2018 playoffs.
Week 16: at Denver Broncos