The Patriots’ coaching staff is considerably more experienced than last year’s, the defense is changing, and NFL fans are realizing the dynasty-era Patriots weren’t actually that annoying compared to the Chiefs.

Let’s answer some of your questions in this week’s Patriots mailbag.

There’s no need to complicate it. It’s because Mike Vrabel is better at attracting assistant coaches.

Jerod Mayo didn’t have any connections around the NFL. He had played for the Patriots, worked at Optum and then returned to the Patriots. So, he had no way to network and build out a staff the way that most head coaches can. So, he kept Evan Rothstein, DeMarcus Covington, Mike Pellegrino, Brian Belichick and Deron Mayo and then used connections from Eliot Wolf and Alex Van Pelt to build out the rest of the staff.

And let’s not forget that the Patriots had a hard time finding an offensive coordinator before Van Pelt took the job.

I’m sure the Patriots would have loved to hire experienced coaches under Mayo. But they couldn’t find people to take the job.

That’s now far different with Vrabel as the head coach. He’s worked at Ohio State and with the Texans, Titans and Browns. He’s had time to make connections around the league and work with a multitude of coaches. And that’s why he’s been able to hire people who know what they’re doing like Josh McDaniels, Terrell Williams, Tony Dews, Thomas Brown and Doug Marrone.

I think it’s worth a shot. As I laid out earlier this week, Vrabel liked to deploy smaller linebackers in his front seven during his time with the Titans. Some of those linebackers were listed under 230 pounds.

Mapu is listed at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. He’s primarily played safety with the Patriots, but he was viewed as more of a hybrid player who could line up at linebacker or safety in the NFL.

I could see the Patriots adding a smaller, experienced linebacker to ensure they have a player who can fit the mold of what Vrabel and Williams are looking for, but I absolutely think it’s worth trying Mapu closer to the line of scrimmage during training camp to see what kind of impact he can make.

He doesn’t necessarily have a linebacker’s frame, but he’s smart, rangy and good in coverage.

I think those fears were based on Vrabel being the head coach, but he’s already said the Titans were run-heavy because Derrick Henry was their best player, which makes sense.

I think McDaniels will play to the strength of his offense, and that should be 2024 first-round pick Drake Maye.

I’ve heard that Marrone brings an old-school mentality to the offensive line. I can understand some concerns, and we’ll see how it goes this season.

But with his experience, I still believe it will be an upgrade from what the Patriots had in offensive line coaches in 2022 (Matt Patricia), 2023 (Adrian Klemm) and 2024 (Scott Peters).

I think it’s pretty clear that you could point to slot receivers and tight ends being heavily utilized and highlighted in McDaniels’ offense with the Patriots.

So, as far as current players go, DeMario Douglas and Hunter Henry could see a boost in 2025. It’s also worth noting that Kendrick Bourne had his most successful season in 2021 with McDaniels as his offensive coordinator.

I’d like to see the Patriots add another tight end in the draft. I also think it’s worth continuing to target slot receivers in the draft, as well, to see if they can find an upgrade over Douglas. Miami’s Xavier Restrepo and Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel are players who come to mind.

My gut says the Patriots add offensive line help. But if Penn State’s Abdul Carter is available, I think he would be perfect in Vrabel and Williams’ scheme.

He could fit into the weak-side defensive end spot or as a strong-side linebacker on the other side of the formation.

Carter has the versatility to drop back into coverage and the ability to be a premier pass rusher.

That should change, yes. Harold Landry was a key piece of the Titans’ defense from the time Vrabel was hired in 2018.

I understand that’s a concern going from Bill Belichick’s two-gapping system to more of an attacking defense under Vrabel and Williams.

With that being said, weren’t weak coverages and undisciplined line play an issue for the Patriots last season anyway?

That’s coming from the front office right now.

I think the new regime is a double-edged sword for Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.

On the plus side, yes, they get clean slates under Vrabel, McDaniels, whoever is chosen as wide receivers coach, etc. So, there’s no baggage that carries over form 2024 into the 2025 season.

On the other hand, McDaniels and Vrabel had no part in picking either player, so there’s nothing personally invested in Polk or Baker by the coaching staff. They’re not “their guys,” so to say.

I still have some hope for Polk and Baker, but if new receivers are brought in, then their standing on the depth chart could get shaky. I’m certainly not saying they’ll get cut. I have no idea. It’s January. But Bourne, Douglas and Kayshon Boutte were already starting over them by the end of the 2024 season, and all three of those players are still under contract. If the Patriots draft a wide receiver and add a high-end veteran, then someone has to go.

I’ll take any pop punk/punk/music questions to finish off the mailbag. Picking between those two Blink-182 songs, I’ll take “Apple Shampoo.”