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New England Patriots
Current season
New England Patriots logo
New England Patriots wordmark
Logo Wordmark
New England Patriots Uniforms 2024.png
Uniforms
Basic info
Established November 16, 1959; 65 years ago (November 16, 1959)
Stadium Gillette Stadium,
Foxborough, Massachusetts
Headquartered Gillette Stadium,
Foxborough, Massachusetts
Colors Nautical blue, red, new century silver, white
                   
Fight song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
Mascot Pat Patriot
Personnel
Owner(s) Kraft Group
Robert Kraft, Chairman
CEO Robert Kraft
President Jonathan Kraft
General manager Eliot Wolf
Head coach Mike Vrabel
Nicknames
  • The Pats
  • The Evil Empire
  • The Boston TE Party (tight ends; 2010–2012)
  • The Boogeymen (Linebackers; 2019)
Team history
  • Boston Patriots (1960–1970)
  • New England Patriots (1971–present)
Home fields
  • Boston University Field (1960–1962)
  • Fenway Park (1963–1968)
  • Alumni Stadium (1969)
  • Harvard Stadium (1970)
  • Foxboro Stadium (1971–2001)
  • Gillette Stadium (2002–present)
League / conference affiliations
American Football League (1960–1969)
  • Eastern Division (1960–1969)

National Football League (1970–present)

Championships
League championships: 6
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
Owner(s)
  • Billy Sullivan (1959–1988)
  • Victor Kiam (1988–1992)
  • James Orthwein (1992–1994)
  • Robert Kraft (1994–present)

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team. They are based near Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots play in the National Football League (NFL). They are part of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. Their home games are played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This stadium is about 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Boston. Robert Kraft has owned the team since 1994. As of 2024, the Patriots are one of the most valuable sports teams in the world. They have sold out every home game since 1994.

The team started in 1959 as the Boston Patriots. They were a founding member of the American Football League (AFL). They joined the NFL in 1970 when the AFL and NFL merged. The Patriots played in different stadiums around Boston. This included Fenway Park from 1963 to 1969. In 1971, the team moved to Foxborough. They changed their name to the New England Patriots. They played at Foxboro Stadium until 2002. That's when Gillette Stadium opened.

The Patriots were not very successful until Robert Kraft bought them. In 2001, they had amazing success. This was under head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. This started a period where they dominated the league until 2019. This time, known as the Brady–Belichick era, is one of the greatest sports dynasties. The Patriots hold many Super Bowl records. They are tied for the most Super Bowl wins (6) with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They also have the most Super Bowl appearances (11) and losses (5).

The team also holds other NFL records. These include the most wins in a 10-year period (126 from 2003 to 2012). They also have the longest winning streak (21 games from 2003 to 2004). They had the most consecutive winning seasons (19 from 2001 to 2019). They also made the most consecutive conference championship appearances (8 from 2011 to 2018). The Patriots also won the most consecutive division titles (11 from 2009 to 2019). They are the only team to have an undefeated 16-game regular season (2007). They also have the highest winning percentage in the postseason (.638).

Team History and Evolution

Founding the Boston Patriots

Billy Sullivan (American football) 1985
Billy Sullivan founded the Patriots in 1959. He brought professional football back to Massachusetts.
Minuteman statue 2 - Old North Bridge
The Patriots are named after the colonists who fought in the American Revolutionary War. This war was important in Massachusetts.

On November 16, 1959, Boston businessman Billy Sullivan got the eighth and final team for the new American Football League (AFL). People in Boston suggested names for the team. The most popular choice was the "Boston Patriots." This name honored the colonists who fought for American independence. The state of Massachusetts played a big part in the American Revolution. Soon after, artist Phil Bissell created the "Pat Patriot" logo.

The Patriots did not have one main home stadium in the AFL. They played at different fields in Boston. These included Boston University Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Boston College's Alumni Stadium. In the 1963 season, they won their first playoff game against Buffalo. They then lost the AFL championship game to the San Diego Chargers 51–10. They did not reach the playoffs again for 13 years.

Joining the NFL and Moving to Foxborough

When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, the Patriots joined the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. They still play in this division today. In 1971, the Patriots moved to a new stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This stadium was their home for the next 30 years. Because of the move, they changed their name from the Boston Patriots. They first thought of "Bay State Patriots," but the NFL said no. On March 22, 1971, they officially became the New England Patriots.

During the 1970s, the Patriots had some good seasons. Under coach Chuck Fairbanks, they made the playoffs in 1976 and 1978. They lost in the first round both times. Later, under coach Raymond Berry in 1985, the team reached its first AFC Championship. They made it to Super Bowl XX, but lost to the Chicago Bears 46–10. They returned to the playoffs in 1986 but lost early.

New Ownership and the "Flying Elvis" Era

The team changed owners several times in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Victor Kiam bought the team in 1988, then sold it to James Orthwein in 1992. Orthwein made big changes. He hired former New York Giants coach Bill Parcells in 1993. Orthwein also changed the team's look. The traditional red, white, and blue colors were replaced with blue and silver. A new logo, nicknamed the "Flying Elvis," was introduced. Orthwein wanted to move the team to St. Louis. However, Robert Kraft, who owned Foxboro Stadium, refused to let them break the stadium lease. Kraft then bought the team in 1994 for $175 million.

Under Kraft's ownership, Parcells led the Patriots to two playoff appearances. This included Super Bowl XXXI after the 1996 season. They lost that game to the Green Bay Packers 35–21. Pete Carroll took over as coach and also led the team to the playoffs twice in 1997 and 1998.

The Brady–Belichick Dynasty

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick led the Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances and six wins. They are considered one of the best quarterback-coach duos ever.
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski, known as "Gronk," was a key player for the Patriots' offense in the 2010s.

In 2000, the Patriots hired head coach Bill Belichick. Their new home, Gillette Stadium, opened in 2002. In the 2001 season, starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured. Backup quarterback Tom Brady, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2000, became the starter. Brady played so well that Bledsoe never got his job back. Brady became the team's starting quarterback for the next 18 years.

Under Belichick and Brady, the Patriots became one of the most dominant teams in the NFL. Many called their time together a "dynasty". They won three Super Bowls in four seasons: 2001, 2003, and 2004. They beat the St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Philadelphia Eagles. In 2007, the Patriots had a perfect 16–0 regular season. They were only the fourth team in NFL history to go undefeated in the regular season. They reached Super Bowl XLII but were upset by the Giants. This ended their perfect season at 18–1.

The Patriots returned to the Super Bowl in 2011 but lost again to the Giants. In 2014, they won Super Bowl XLIX by beating the Seattle Seahawks 28–24. Rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler made a game-winning interception at the goal line. New England became the first team to reach nine Super Bowls in the 2016–17 playoffs. They faced the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. The Patriots were losing 28–3 in the third quarter. They made an amazing comeback, scoring 25 points to tie the game. In the first overtime in Super Bowl history, the Patriots won their fifth Super Bowl.

The Patriots reached their tenth Super Bowl in the 2017–18 playoffs. They lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. They returned for a third straight Super Bowl in Super Bowl LIII. They defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3. This was their sixth Super Bowl win, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most in NFL history.

Recent Seasons and Coaching Changes

After the 2019 season, the team lost in the first round of the playoffs. Tom Brady left the Patriots after 20 seasons. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots signed veteran quarterback Cam Newton to replace him. In 2020, the team missed the playoffs with a 7–9 record. This was their first losing season in two decades. The team drafted Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. Jones became the starting quarterback. He led the team to the playoffs in 2021. They lost 47–17 to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. The Patriots finished 8–9 in 2022 and missed the postseason.

After a tough 4–13 record in the 2023 season, the Patriots and Bill Belichick decided to part ways on January 11, 2024. Belichick had been the head coach for 24 years. The next day, the Patriots promoted Jerod Mayo to head coach and Eliot Wolf to general manager. Mac Jones was traded in the 2024 offseason. The Patriots selected Drake Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL draft. This was their highest draft pick in 31 years. After the 2024 season, the Patriots fired Jerod Mayo. Mike Vrabel was named head coach.

Team Logos and Uniforms

Primary Logos

Pro Football Hall of Fame (38809410831)
The Patriots' helmet since 2000, displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Patriots' first helmet logo in 1960 was a simple tricorne hat. From 1961 to 1992, they used a logo of a Revolutionary War minuteman hiking a football. This logo became known as "Pat Patriot". It later became the name of the team's mascot.

In 1993, the team introduced a new logo. It showed the gray face of a minuteman wearing a red, white, and royal blue hat. This hat looked like a flowing banner. People called it the "Flying Elvis" because it looked like a young Elvis Presley. A new script logo was also introduced. In 2000, the blue color on the "Flying Elvis" and the wordmark was changed to a darker nautical blue. On July 3, 2013, the Patriots unveiled a new wordmark. It used modern block letters instead of cursive. The "Flying Elvis" was moved to be underneath the letters.

Team Uniforms

1960–1992 Uniforms

AFC-1984-1987,1990-Uniform-NE
The Patriots' uniforms from 1960 to 1992. The face mask color changed over the years.

The Patriots' main uniforms stayed mostly the same from 1960 until 1993. They wore red jerseys with white numbers at home. On the road, they wore white jerseys with red numbers. Both uniforms had white pants and white helmets. The "Pat Patriot" logo was added to the helmets in 1961. In 1973, the numbers on the jerseys got a blue outline. The team sometimes wore red pants with their white jerseys.

1993–1999 Uniforms

AFC-1995-1999-Uniform-NE
The Patriots' uniforms from 1993 to 1999. The numbers, shoulders, and stripes changed slightly.

Before the 1993 season, the Patriots completely changed their look. They introduced the "Flying Elvis" logo. The new uniforms had a royal blue home jersey and a white away jersey. The helmet was silver with the "Flying Elvis" logo. Both uniforms used silver pants. The home uniforms later switched to white numbers with a red outline. In 1995, the Patriots changed their numbers to a more modern, rounded font.

2000–2019 Uniforms

Patriots 12uniforms
The Patriots' main uniforms from 2000 to 2019. A red throwback version was also used.

In 2000, the Patriots changed their numbers back to block style. The blue color was changed to a darker nautical blue. Silver stripes were added to the home jersey, and blue stripes to the away jersey. The team also introduced blue pants to wear with the white jersey. This gave a better contrast. The numbers on the white jersey changed from red to blue.

2020–Present Uniforms

2022Patriotsuniforms
The Patriots' main uniforms from 2020 to the present. The red throwback returned in 2022.

In 2020, the Patriots updated their uniforms again. Their all-blue "Color Rush" design became the main home uniform. A matching white uniform was also introduced, paired with blue pants. Both uniforms had shorter shoulder stripes, like the old "Pat Patriot" uniforms. Interestingly, these new jerseys arrived just after Tom Brady left the team.

In 2022, the Patriots brought back silver pants to wear with their current uniforms. These new silver pants had thicker red stripes. In 2024, the Patriots started using the silver pants full-time with both their home and away uniforms.

Alternate Uniforms

In 1994, the Patriots wore their old "Pat Patriot" helmets and striped pants for the NFL's 75th anniversary. In 2002, they brought back a red jersey as an alternate, with the old "Pat Patriot" helmet. In 2003, they changed their alternate to a silver jersey with blue pants. These were used until 2007. In 2009, the red alternate was brought back with the "Pat Patriot" helmet. The red alternate was temporarily retired in 2013 due to a new NFL rule. However, after the NFL allowed alternate helmets again in 2022, the Patriots brought back the red uniforms.

In 2016, the Patriots wore all-navy uniforms for the NFL's Color Rush program. These uniforms had stripes like the 1980s "Pat Patriot" era. In 2017, an all-white Color Rush uniform was introduced.

Team Facilities

Stadium and Headquarters

Since 2002, the Patriots' home stadium has been Gillette Stadium. This $350 million facility was paid for by Robert Kraft. It is in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The stadium also has the team's practice facilities and offices. The field was originally grass but was changed to FieldTurf in 2006. In 2023, the Patriots installed a new video board, the largest in the United States. Gillette Stadium has hosted many playoff games. The Patriots have a strong playoff record there. The area around the stadium was developed into a shopping and entertainment center called Patriot Place.

Before 2002, the Patriots played at Foxboro Stadium from 1971. The last game there was the famous "Tuck Rule Game" in 2002. The Patriots won that snowy playoff game against the Oakland Raiders. Before Foxboro Stadium, the Boston Patriots played at several fields in or around Boston.

An aerial view of Foxboro Stadium, the Patriots' home from 1971 to 2001.
The field at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots' current home since 2002.

Stadium History

Fenway Park (10374097904)
Boston's Fenway Park was a home stadium for the Patriots from 1963 to 1968.
Stadium Location Duration
Boston University Field Boston, Massachusetts 1960–1962
Fenway Park 1963–1968
Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 1969
Harvard Stadium Allston, Massachusetts 1970
Foxboro Stadium Foxborough, Massachusetts 1971–2001
Gillette Stadium 2002–present

Training Camp and Practice

Randy Moss etc at Patriots training camp 2009
Patriots players during training camp in 2009.

The Patriots hold their training camp and practices next to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. They have two practice fields for the team. Before 2003, the Patriots held training camp at different places. These included Bryant College in Rhode Island and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Team Aircraft

New England Patriots Boeing 763 arrives at Logan International Airport with medical supplies
One of the Patriots' 767 planes at Logan International Airport in 2020.

In 2017, the Patriots bought two Boeing 767-300ER planes for the team. This made them the first NFL team to own their own planes. These planes are sometimes called "AirKrafts" after owner Robert Kraft. Kraft has used one of the planes for good causes. For example, he lent it to transport students to the March for Our Lives event in Washington, D.C. in 2018.

Team Rivalries

The Patriots have played most often against other teams in their AFC East division. These are the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. They also have rivalries with teams outside their division. These include the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Las Vegas Raiders. They also had a memorable rivalry with the New York Giants.

Divisional Rivals

New York Jets Rivalry

Bill Belichick 2019 (cropped)
Bill Belichick left the Jets to coach the Patriots in 2000. This was a big moment in the rivalry.

The rivalry with the New York Jets is the closest geographically. Both teams started in 1960 and have been in the same division since. The rivalry became more intense after 1996. That's when Patriots head coach Bill Parcells left to coach the Jets. Four years later, Bill Belichick resigned as Jets coach to become the Patriots' head coach. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Patriots lead the all-time series 75–55–1.

Buffalo Bills Rivalry

J.P. Losman tackled in the end zone by Ty Warren 2006-09-10
Ty Warren tackling Bills QB J. P. Losman for a safety in 2006.

The Patriots and Bills were both founding members of the AFL. They have been divisional rivals since the AFL–NFL merger. Before Tom Brady, the rivalry was usually calm. However, Brady dominated the Bills during his time as Patriots quarterback. He had a 32–3 regular-season record against them. After Brady left, the Bills swept the Patriots in 2020. This included a big 38–9 loss for the Patriots at home. In the 2021–22 NFL playoffs, the Bills beat the Patriots 47–17. This was the first playoff game between them in almost 60 years. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Patriots lead the all-time series 78–50–1.

Miami Dolphins Rivalry

1986 Jeno's Pizza - 35 - Craig James
Craig James running past the Dolphins' defense in the 1985 AFC Championship game.

The Patriots first played the Miami Dolphins in 1966. The Dolphins were very strong against the Patriots in the 1970s and 1990s. The Patriots and Dolphins are the only two teams in the Super Bowl era to have undefeated regular seasons. Miami went 14–0 in 1972, and the Patriots went 16–0 in 2007. Famous moments include the Snowplow Game and the Miracle in Miami. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Dolphins lead the all-time series 63–55.

Conference Rivals

Indianapolis Colts Rivalry

The Patriots' rivalry with the Indianapolis Colts was strong when they were both in the AFC East (1970–2001). They had many close games. Even after they moved to different divisions in 2002, the rivalry continued. Both teams were among the best in the AFC. They were led by great quarterbacks, Peyton Manning for the Colts and Tom Brady for the Patriots. They met three times in the playoffs between 2003 and 2006. The winner of those games went on to win the Super Bowl each time. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Patriots lead the all-time series 53–32.

Baltimore Ravens Rivalry

The Ravens first played the Patriots in 1996. The rivalry really began in 2007 when the Ravens lost a close game to the undefeated Patriots. It grew more intense in 2009. The Ravens beat the Patriots in the 2009 AFC Wild Card playoff game. This was their first win against the Patriots. They met again in the 2011 AFC Championship Game, which the Ravens lost. The Ravens won their first regular-season game against the Patriots in 2012. They also beat the Patriots in the 2013 AFC Championship. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Patriots lead the all-time series 11–6.

Denver Broncos Rivalry

The Broncos and Patriots played twice a year in the AFL from 1960 to 1969. They played in the very first AFL game in 1960. Since 1995, they have met often in the regular season. They have played five times in the playoffs. The Broncos have won four of those playoff games. The rivalry became even stronger when Peyton Manning became the Broncos' quarterback from 2012 to 2015. Manning and Tom Brady had a famous rivalry. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Broncos lead the all-time series 31–25.

Pittsburgh Steelers Rivalry

The Pittsburgh Steelers became a big rival when the Patriots upset them in the 2001 AFC Championship Game. The Patriots have a strong playoff record against the Steelers, winning four out of five games. The Steelers ended the Patriots' 21-game winning streak in 2004. The Patriots later beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship that season. In the Bill Belichick era, the Patriots have a 12–4 record against the Steelers. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Patriots lead the all-time series 19–17.

Las Vegas Raiders Rivalry

The rivalry between the Patriots and the Raiders goes back to their AFL days. It became more intense after a 1978 preseason game. The two teams met in a famous playoff game in 2002, known as the "Tuck Rule Game". A controversial call overturned a fumble by Tom Brady. The Patriots went on to win in overtime and eventually won the Super Bowl. Since that game, the Patriots have won most of their regular-season games against the Raiders. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Patriots lead the all-time series 20–18–1.

Interconference Rivals

New York Giants Rivalry

Patriotsgiants 031a
The Patriots' sideline during their historic 16–0 regular season in 2007.

The Patriots and New York Giants rarely played each other because they are in different conferences. However, their rivalry became famous in the late 2000s. This was due to close games and memorable moments between Tom Brady and Eli Manning. In 2007, the Patriots defeated the Giants to finish a perfect 16–0 regular season. But they lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, ending their perfect season. The Giants also beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. As of the end of the 2024 season, the series is tied 7–8.

Team Strategy and Influence

Linebackers Willie McGinest (left), Tedy Bruschi (middle), and Mike Vrabel (right) helped define the "Patriot Way" during the team's dynasty.

Under head coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots used special strategies on and off the field. On the field, they often used a "two-gap 3-4 defensive system." This system was developed in New England in the 1970s. Belichick, who worked under Bill Parcells, continued to use and improve this system.

Belichick's philosophy focused on the "team" concept. This meant stressing preparation, hard work, players being able to play many positions, and no individual ego. This approach, called the "Patriot Way," led to six Super Bowl wins. It has been studied in books and documentaries.

The "Patriot Way" included:

  • A very critical and focused approach.
  • Emphasizing the team, treating all players equally, and avoiding individual show-offs.
  • Strong work ethic, intelligence, and high focus for every game.
  • Players who could play multiple positions.
  • Using different strategies to find and use opponents' weaknesses.

Championships and Achievements

Super Bowl Championships

Gillette Stadium04
The Super Bowl banners for the Patriots' first three championships at Gillette Stadium.
Malcolm Butler (American football)
Malcolm Butler made a game-winning interception in Super Bowl XLIX.
Deion Branch (top) and Julian Edelman (bottom) were Super Bowl MVPs for the Patriots.

The New England Patriots have won six Super Bowls. This is the NFL's championship game. They are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins ever. The team won back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004. They are one of only eight NFL teams to do this. Between 2001 and 2004, the Patriots became the second team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in four years.

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 Patriots have won eleven AFC Championships. This is the most conference championships in NFL history.

Year Coach Location Opponent Score Record
1985 Raymond Berry Miami Orange Bowl (Miami) Miami Dolphins 31–14 11–5
1996 Bill Parcells Foxboro Stadium (Foxborough) Jacksonville Jaguars 20–6 11–5
2001 Bill Belichick Heinz Field (Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh Steelers 24–17 11–5
2003 Gillette Stadium (Foxborough) Indianapolis Colts 23–20 14–2
2004 Heinz Field (Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh Steelers 41–27 14–2
2007 Gillette Stadium (Foxborough) 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 Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City) Kansas City Chiefs 37–31 (OT) 11–5
Total AFC Championships won: 11

Division Championships

The Patriots have won 22 Division Championships. This is the second-most all-time, behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. One title was in the AFL East (1963). The rest were 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

Team Statistics and Records

Recent Season Results

Here are the Patriots' results for their last five completed seasons.

Note: The Finish, Wins, Losses, and Ties columns show regular season results only.

Super Bowl champions Conference champions Division champions Wild Card berth

As of January 7,  2024 (2024 -01-07)

Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Postseason results Awards
Finish Wins Losses Ties
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
2022 2022 NFL AFC East 3rd 8 9 0
2023 2023 NFL AFC East 4th 4 13 0
2024 2024 NFL AFC East 4th 4 13 0
Reference:

All-Time Leaders

Tom Brady 2019
Tom Brady is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. He holds many Patriots records.
All-time Patriots leaders
Leader Name Record number Tenure
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 36 interceptions 1977–1989
Ty Law 1995–2004
Coaching wins Bill Belichick 266 wins 2000–2023

Individual Awards

The following Patriots players and staff have won major league awards.

Bold means they are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Players of Note

Pro Football Hall of Famers

John Hannah New England Patriots press photo 1976-1980
John Hannah, a Hall of Fame Guard.
Ty Law
Ty Law, a Hall of Fame Cornerback.
Richard Seymour water bottle
Richard Seymour, a Hall of Fame Defensive End.
Tippett2008
Andre Tippett, a Hall of Fame Linebacker.
Randy-Moss 8-28-09 Patriots-vs-Redskins
Randy Moss, a Hall of Fame Wide Receiver.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has honored many players who played for the Patriots. Six players made their biggest impact while with the Patriots. In total, 12 people connected to the Patriots are in the Hall of Fame (11 players and 1 coach).

Notes:

  • Hall of Famers who played a major part of their career with the Patriots are in bold.
  • Hall of Famers who spent only a small part of their career with the Patriots are in normal text.
New England Patriots in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Players
No. Name Inducted Position(s) Tenure
85 Buoniconti, NickNick Buoniconti 2001 LB 1962–1968
73 Hannah, JohnJohn Hannah 1991 G 1973–1985
40 Haynes, MikeMike Haynes 1997 CB 1976–1982
24 Law, TyTy Law 2019 CB 1995–2004
28 Martin, CurtisCurtis Martin 2012 RB 1995–1997
66 McMichael, SteveSteve McMichael 2024 DT 1980
81 Moss, RandyRandy Moss 2018 WR 2007–2010
24 Revis, DarrelleDarrelle Revis 2023 CB 2014
55 Seau, JuniorJunior Seau 2015 LB 2006–2009
93 Seymour, RichardRichard Seymour 2022 DE 2001–2008
56 Tippett, AndreAndre Tippett 2008 LB 1982–1993
Coaches and Contributors
Name Inducted Position(s) Tenure
Parcells, BillBill Parcells 2013 Head coach 1993–1996

Retired Numbers

Pro Football Hall of Fame (27033840159)
Tom Brady's #12 jersey displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Patriots have officially retired eight uniform numbers. Three of these numbers belong to players from the original AFL era. Andre Tippett's number 56 is unofficially retired. It has not been given to another player since he retired in 1993.

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
New England Patriots retired numbers
No. Player Position Tenure Retired
12 Tom Brady QB 2000–2019 June 12, 2024
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 September 30, 2001
79 Jim Lee Hunt DT 1960–1970 1971
89 Bob Dee DE 1960–1967 1968

Patriots Hall of Fame

The Patriots have their own Hall of Fame. It honors important people in the team's history. It was started in 1991, with John Hannah as the first member. The physical Hall of Fame building opened in 2008 at Patriot Place. It has many items like game-worn gear, trophies, and interactive exhibits.

Fans can vote for players to be inducted. Players and head coaches must be retired for at least four years to be eligible. Since 2009, owner Robert Kraft has also inducted "contributors" like assistant coaches and broadcasters. The team's founder, Billy Sullivan, was inducted in 2009.

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Patriots Hall of Fame
No. Name Position Years with club Inducted
65 Houston Antwine~† DL 1961–1971 2015
78 Bruce Armstrong T 1987–2000 2001
11 Drew Bledsoe QB 1993–2001 2011
12 Tom Brady QB 2000–2019 2024
80 Troy Brown WR
KR/PR Coach
1993–2007
2020–2024
2012
54 Tedy Bruschi LB 1996–2008 2013
85 Nick Buoniconti LB 1962–1968 1992
20 Gino Cappelletti FL/K
Broadcaster
1960–1970
1972–1978, 1988–2012
1992
26 Raymond Clayborn CB 1977–1989 2017
87 Ben Coates TE 1991–1999 2008
39 Sam Cunningham RB 1973–1982 2010
89 Bob Dee† DL 1960–1967 1993
11 Julian Edelman WR 2009–2020 2025
33 Kevin Faulk RB 1999–2011 2016
70 Leon Gray~† T 1973–1978 2019
14 Steve Grogan QB 1975–1990 1995
73 John Hannah G 1973–1985 1991
37 Rodney Harrison S 2003–2008 2019
40 Mike Haynes CB 1976–1982 1994
79 Jim Lee Hunt† DT 1960–1971 1993
24 Ty Law CB 1995–2004 2014
72 Matt Light T 2001–2011 2018
55 Willie McGinest LB/DE 1994–2005 2015
86 Stanley Morgan WR 1977–1989 2007
56 Jon Morris~ C 1964–1974 2011
35 Jim Nance† FB 1965–1971 2009
57 Steve Nelson LB 1974–1987 1993
15 Vito "Babe" Parilli QB 1961–1967 1993
Bill Parcells* Linebackers Coach
Head Coach
1980
1993–1996
2025
Gil Santos* Broadcaster 1972–1979
1991–2012
2013
Dante Scarnecchia* Assistant Coach 1982–1988
1991–2013
2016–2019
2023
93 Richard Seymour DL 2001–2008 2020
Tracy Sormanti*† Cheerleading Director 1983–2020 2021
Billy Sullivan*† Founder/Owner 1960–1988 2009
56 Andre Tippett LB
Executive Director of Community Affairs
1982–1993
2007–present
1999
50 Mike Vrabel LB
Head coach
2001–2008
2025–present
2023
75 Vince Wilfork DL 2004–2014 2022
Reference:

Notes:

  • * = Inducted as a contributor
  • ~ = Inducted as a senior selection
  • = Posthumous induction

Pro Bowl Selections

The following Patriots players have been chosen for the Pro Bowl (or the AFL All-Star game before 1970):

Matthew Slater 2019
Matthew Slater holds the record for most Pro Bowl selections by a special teams player.

First-Team All-Pro Selections

Stephon Gilmore 2019
Stephon Gilmore, a two-time First-team All-Pro and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.

The following Patriots players have been named AP first-team All-Pro (or All-AFL before 1970):

Team Administration and Personnel

Team Ownership

RobertKraftPatriots (cropped)
Robert Kraft, a lifelong Patriots fan, bought the team in 1994.

The Patriots have had four owners. The first was Billy Sullivan from 1959 to 1988. He led the team to some winning seasons and playoff appearances. After Sullivan, Victor Kiam owned the team from 1988 to 1992. Then, James Orthwein owned the team from 1992 to 1994. Orthwein planned to move the team to St. Louis. However, Robert Kraft, who owned the stadium, stopped the move. Kraft then bought the team in 1994 for $175 million.

Kraft was a lifelong fan of the Patriots. He has owned the team since 1994. Under his ownership, the Patriots have been the most successful NFL team. They have appeared in ten Super Bowls and won six. They have also set many league records.

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 324 176 0 6

Head Coaches

Bill Belichick 8-28-09 Patriots-vs-Redskins
Bill Belichick coached the Patriots from 2000 to 2023. He led them to six Super Bowl titles.

The Patriots have had 16 head coaches. On January 12, 2025, the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as their 16th head coach. He is the second coach in team history to have also played for the team.

Bill Belichick was the head coach for 23 seasons, from 2000 to 2023. He is considered one of the greatest coaches of all time. He led the Patriots to 17 division titles, 13 AFC Championship Game appearances, and nine Super Bowl appearances. He won a record six Super Bowls. Belichick holds the NFL record for most playoff coaching wins (31). He is third in regular season coaching wins (297). He is one of only three head coaches to win six NFL titles. He was named NFL Coach of the Year three times.

Belichick was acquired in a "trade" with the New York Jets. He did not want to work under Bill Parcells there. The Patriots gave the Jets their first-round pick in the 2000 NFL draft for Belichick. In that same draft, the Patriots famously picked Tom Brady in the sixth round.

Before Belichick, coaches like Mike Holovak, Raymond Berry, and Bill Parcells also led the Patriots to championship games. Five Patriots head coaches have been named Coach of the Year. The first head coach in team history was Lou Saban in 1960.

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 2000–2023 266 121 0 6
Jerod Mayo 2024 4 13 0
Mike Vrabel 2025–present 0 0 0

Note:

  • * = Interim coach

Team Culture

Patriots fans celebrating a Super Bowl win in Boston in 2003 (left). Fans at the Super Bowl LI victory parade in Boston in 2017 (right).

Cheerleaders

New England Patriots Cheerleaders (USAF)
The Patriots' cheerleading squad performing in 2007.

The Patriots have a professional cheerleading squad called the New England Patriots Cheerleaders. They represent the team in the NFL. Famous former cheerleaders include wrestler Carmella and model Camille Kostek.

Mascots

The Patriots' official mascot since 1995 is Pat Patriot. He is a revolutionary minuteman wearing a Patriots jersey. He is based on the team's original logo.

The Patriots also have the End Zone Militia. This group of American Revolutionary War reenactors was started in 1996. About 20 men and women dress up for each home game. They stand behind the end zones. When the Patriots score, the militia behind the opposite end zone fires blank shots from flintlock muskets. These shots use a lot of black powder to be heard throughout the stadium. This celebration is considered one of the best in the league.

Fans

The team has many fans from the New England region of the United States. They also have fans from the Canadian province of Quebec and much of Atlantic Canada.

Radio and Television Coverage

New England Patriots radio affiliates
Map of New England Patriots radio affiliates.

The Patriots' main radio station is WBZ-FM (98.5 FM). Their larger radio network, the New England Patriots Radio Network, has 37 stations across seven states. Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti were the longtime announcers until 2012. Bob Socci replaced Santos. Former Patriots QB Scott Zolak joined the radio team in 2011. In 2013, he replaced Cappelletti as the color commentator.

Preseason games not on national TV are shown on CBS's O&O WBZ-TV. WBZ-TV also airs most regular-season Patriots games because CBS has the rights to most AFC games. When the Patriots host an NFC team, the games are shown on Fox affiliate WFXT-TV. NBC Sunday Night Football games are on Boston NBC station WBTS-CD.

More to Explore

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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: New England Patriots para niños

kids search engine
New England Patriots Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.