Brief summary

Billy Sullivan, a Massachusetts native, brought professional football back to the state after a nearly eleven-year absence by founding the Patriots in 1959. His 27-year tenure of ownership did not come without controversy, however.

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).^[31] The following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football team's official name.^[32] The most popular choice – and the one that Sullivan selected – was the "Boston Patriots",^[33][34] with "Patriots" referring to the colonists of the Thirteen Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution and in July 1776 declared the United States of America an independent nation, which heavily involved the then-colony of Massachusetts. Immediately thereafter, artist Phil Bissell of The Boston Globe developed the "Pat Patriot" logo.^[35]

The Patriots never had a regular home stadium in the AFL. Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park (shared with baseball's Boston Red Sox), and Alumni Stadium all served as home fields during their time in the American Football League. The 1963 season saw the franchise's first playoff win over Buffalo to clinch the division. They subsequently lost the AFL championship game to the San Diego Chargers 51–10. They did not appear again in an AFL or NFL post-season game for another 13 years.^[36]

When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, the Patriots were placed in the American Football Conference (AFC) East division, where they still play.^[36] The following year, the Patriots moved to a new stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which would serve as their home for the next 30 years. As a result of the move, they announced they would change their name from the Boston Patriots to the Bay State Patriots, after the state of Massachusetts.^[37] The name was rejected by the NFL and on March 22, 1971, the team officially announced they would change its geographic name to New England.^[36]

During the 1970s, the Patriots had some success under head coach Chuck Fairbanks, earning a berth to the playoffs in 1976 – as a wild card team – and in 1978 – as AFC East champions. They lost in the first round both times. Under his successor, Ron Erhardt, the team finished one game out of the playoffs his first two years. The next coach, Ron Meyer, led the team to the playoffs in the strike-shortened 1982 season, and despite not having a losing record during his career, he was fired in 1984 due to poor relationships with players and management. Hall-of-Fame player Raymond Berry was hired as his replacement, and in 1985, he brought the team to its first AFC Championship and a berth in Super Bowl XX, which they lost to the Chicago Bears 46–10. Following their Super Bowl loss, they returned to the playoffs in 1986, but lost in the first round. Berry left the team following a disappointing 1989 season, and his replacement Rod Rust only lasted one season, 1990, during which the Patriots went 1–15. During the late 1980s and early 1990s they changed ownership several times, being purchased from the Sullivan family first by Victor Kiam in 1988, who sold the team to James Orthwein in 1992. Though Orthwein's period as owner was short and controversial, he did oversee major changes to the team, first with the hiring of former New York Giants coach Bill Parcells in 1993. Orthwein and his marketing team then defied Patriots fans' overwhelming preference and commissioned the NFL to develop a new visual identity and logo, and changed their primary colors from the traditional red, white and blue to blue and silver for the team uniforms.^[38] Orthwein intended to move the team to his native St. Louis (where it would have been renamed as the St. Louis Stallions), but instead sold the team in 1994 for $175 million to Boston paper magnate Robert Kraft, who had bought the Patriots' then-home, Foxboro Stadium, out of bankruptcy in 1988.^[16]

Continuing on as head coach under Kraft's ownership, Parcells would bring the Patriots to two playoff appearances, including Super Bowl XXXI (following the 1996 season), which they lost to the Green Bay Packers by a score of 35–21. Pete Carroll, Parcells's successor, would also take the team to the playoffs twice in 1997 and 1998 before being dismissed as head coach after the 1999 season.^[16]

QB Tom Brady and HC Bill Belichick were the pillars of the Patriots dynasty throughout the 2000s and 2010s. During that period (2001–2019), they led the Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six, as well as accumulating numerous franchise and league records. Brady is widely regarded as the greatest QB of all time, with Belichick widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time. Together, they are universally known as one of the greatest QB-HC tandems of all time.

TE Rob Gronkowski, widely regarded as one of the greatest TEs of all time, was a staple of the 2010s offenses. Nicknamed "Gronk", he holds many franchise and league records, including an NFL-record most total and receiving touchdowns by a tight end in a single season (18 total, 17 receiving), as well as most receiving touchdowns (79) in Patriots history.

In 2000 the Patriots hired head coach Bill Belichick, who had served as defensive coordinator under Parcells including during Super Bowl XXXI. Their new home field, Gillette Stadium, opened in 2002 to replace the aging Foxboro Stadium. Long-time starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who was the franchise's star throughout the 1990s, went down with a sheared blood vessel in his chest in a week two match-up in 2001 against the rival New York Jets. Backup quarterback Tom Brady, drafted by the Patriots in sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, became the starting quarterback. Brady's successful play led to Bledsoe never getting his job back as a starter, and would serve as the franchise's starting quarterback for the next 18 years. Under Belichick and Brady, the Patriots became one of the most consistently dominant teams in the NFL, with many describing the team as a "dynasty". Within the first few seasons of the 21st century, the team won three Super Bowls in four seasons (2001, 2003, and 2004), over the St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. The Patriots finished the 2007 regular season with a perfect 16–0 record, becoming only the fourth team in league history to go undefeated in the regular season, and the only one since the league expanded its regular season schedule to 16 games.^[39] After advancing to Super Bowl XLII, the team's fourth Super Bowl in seven years, the Patriots were upset by the Giants to end their bid for a 19–0 season. With the loss, the Patriots ended the year at 18–1, becoming only one of three teams to go 18–1 along with the 1984 San Francisco 49ers and the 1985 Chicago Bears. However, both the Bears and 49ers lost their only game during the regular season, and both would win their respective Super Bowl.^[40]

The Patriots returned to the Super Bowl in 2011 but lost again to the Giants, 21–17.^[41] In 2014, the Patriots reached a record-tying eighth Super Bowl, where they defeated the defending champion Seattle Seahawks by a score of 28–24 to win Super Bowl XLIX for their fourth title.^[42] After Seattle had driven the ball to New England's 1-yard line with under a minute to go, New England rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler made a critical interception on Seattle's final offensive play that helped to seal the victory. New England became the first team to reach nine Super Bowls in the 2016–17 playoffs and faced the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.^[43] Losing 28–3 midway through the third quarter, the Patriots scored 25 unanswered points to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation. In the first overtime in Super Bowl history, the Patriots won the coin toss and scored a touchdown to claim their fifth Super Bowl victory.^[44] The Patriots extended their record to ten Super Bowl appearances in the 2017–18 playoffs but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.^[45] The Patriots returned to the championship game for a third consecutive season in Super Bowl LIII, where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 to win their sixth Super Bowl, tying them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for most Super Bowl victories in NFL history.^[46][47]

Following a disappointing 2019 season, in which the team lost in the first round of the playoffs, and in which the long-time Brady–Belichick partnership was strained due to Brady wanting to have more input in organizational decisions,^[48] Brady left for free agency and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To replace him, the Patriots signed veteran quarterback Cam Newton. The 2020 season, the team miss the playoffs with their first losing record, 7–9, in two decades, the team drafted Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and released Newton after naming Jones the starting quarterback just prior to the team's first game of the 2021 season.^[49] Jones led the team to their first playoff berth without Brady since 1998, but they would lose 47–17 to the division rival Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.^[50]

Primary logos

• 
  The Patriots' primary logo used in the Sullivan era from 1961 to 1992, known as "Pat Patriot". Today, it is kept as a secondary logo, complementing the modern logo, the "Flying Elvis"
• 
  The Patriots' primary logo used since 1993, known as the "Flying Elvis". The only alteration since 1993 was the blue being darkened in 2000

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

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

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.^[51][52]

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.^[53]

In 1993, a new logo was unveiled involving the gray face of a minuteman wearing a red, white and royal 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.^[52]

In 2000, the blue color used on the tricorne of the "Flying Elvis" as well as the outline of the cursive wordmark was switched from royal blue to nautical blue to coincide with the uniform change in the new millennium.^[52]

On July 3, 2013, the Patriots unveiled a new wordmark to accompany the "Flying Elvis", which replaced the script of their previous cursive typeface 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.^[54]

Wordmarks

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

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

The Patriots' wordmark used since 2013. A version with a small "Flying Elvis" underneath the block letters is also commonly seen, such as in the end zone of Gillette Stadium

Uniforms

1960–1992

The uniforms worn by the Patriots in the Sullivan era from 1960 to 1992, with variations in the striping throughout the years in the shoulders and sleeves. The face mask color was gray from 1960 to 1981, white from 1982 to 1990 and red from 1991 to 1992.

The Patriots' primary uniforms remained largely unchanged from the franchises' inaugural season until 1993. 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.^[55] A blue stripe was added to the two red helmet stripes in 1964.^[55] The numbers on both the home and away jerseys gained a blue outline in 1973.^[55] In 1979, the Patriots began the first of many sporadic runs of wearing red pants with the white jerseys.^[55] 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.^[55]

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 and 1995 before finally settling on a look until 2000. The face mask color also changed from silver in 1993 to red in 1994–present.

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.^[52] The helmet was silver with the Flying Elvis logo and no additional striping.^[52] 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.^[56]

In 1995, the Patriots switched the block numbers to a more modern rounded number font with a dropshadow.^[56] The Patriots were one of the first adopters of custom numbers, a trend that would grow drastically over the next 20 years.^[56]

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 on 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.^[57]

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.^[57]

Throughout the 2011 season, the Patriots wore dark patches with white lettering on their uniforms with the initials 'MHK' in honor of Myra Kraft, the late long-time spouse of owner Robert Kraft.

2020–present

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.

In 2020, the Patriots made some changes to their uniform. The all-blue "Color Rush" design became the primary home uniform, complete with a tweaked nameplate font 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 occurred 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.^[58][59][60]

The Patriots brought back the silver pants to pair with the current uniforms in a 2022 Week 7 home game on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. Unlike the previous silver pants the team wore from 2000 to 2019, this design featured thicker red stripes, matching the same width as the middle blue stripe.^[61]

Stadium and headquarters

Aerial view of Foxboro Stadium, where the Patriots played for their first 31 seasons in Foxborough after not being able to find a permanent home in Boston, from 1971 to 2001

The field of Gillette Stadium, the current home stadium of the Patriots in Foxborough since 2002

Since 2002, the Patriots' home stadium has been Gillette Stadium, a $350 million facility privately financed by Robert 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.^[65] The field, which was originally natural grass, was replaced with a FieldTurf surface during the 2006 season.^[66] The Patriots installed a new video board, the largest in the United States, in 2023.^[67] 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 19–4 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.^[68][69] 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.^[70]

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.^[65]

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).^[65]

Training camp and practice

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.^[71]

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

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.^[72] 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.^[73] 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.^[74] Kraft has lent one of the planes to transport students to the March for Our Lives demonstration in Washington, D.C.^[75] Both planes are currently operating for the American airline, Eastern Airlines, LLC.^[76] In July 2023, the Patriots filed a lawsuit against Eastern Airlines over an alleged breach of contract.^[77]

Divisional rivals

New York Jets

Main article: Jets–Patriots rivalry

Bill Belichick, after resigning from the Jets before ever coaching a game, 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.^[78]

The closest rivalry geographically has been that with the New York Jets.^[79] 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.^[80] 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.^[80] 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.^[81] Six years after that, Eric Mangini, an assistant under Belichick, became the head coach of the Jets.^[82]

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.^[83] Belichick also passed George Halas for second most career head coaching wins (regular season and playoffs) with his 325th win on October 30, 2022, in a 22–17 victory over the Jets.

Buffalo Bills

Main article: Bills–Patriots rivalry

DT 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.^[84] 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.^[85] 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.^[86] 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,^[87] making for the NFL's first "perfect offensive game" in history and the worst playoff loss of Belichick's career.^[88]

Miami Dolphins

Main article: Dolphins–Patriots rivalry

RB 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.^[89][90] 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.^[91] Notable moments between the clubs include the Snowplow Game, three playoff matchups, the Dolphins revealing their Wildcat offense against the Patriots,^[92] and the Miracle in Miami.^[93]

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.^[94] The Patriots defeated the Colts in back-to-back overtime games, 23–17 on December 8, 1991, and 37–34 on November 15, 1992.^[94]

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.^[94]

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.^[94] The Colts broke a six-game Patriot winning streak in the rivalry in November 2005,^[94] then won twice in 2006;^[94] 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.^[95] 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.^[96] In 2012, the Patriots faced the Colts, quarterbacked now by Andrew Luck, on November 18; the Patriots defeated the Colts 59–24.^[97] The Patriots also beat the Colts on January 12, 2014, 43–22.^[98] The Patriots played the Colts in the playoffs again on January 18, 2015, in the AFC title game, winning 45–7.^[99]

Inter-conference rivals

New York Giants

Main article: Giants–Patriots rivalry

Tom Brady pictured in 2007, during the Patriots' historic 16–0 season. It was the only undefeated regular season in the NFL during the 16-game schedule era. The Patriots had defeated the Giants in the final game of the regular season, however the Giants would then upset the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Brady also earned his first MVP award that season and broke the NFL passing touchdowns record (50, broken in 2013 by the Broncos).

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.^[126]

Super Bowl championships

The Super Bowl banners for the Patriots' first three league championships at Gillette Stadium (pictured in 2007, they have since switched the location of them within the stadium, alongside the addition of three more championship banners).

The New England Patriots have won six Super Bowls, the league championship of the NFL. The franchise is tied for the most all-time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team repeated as champions between the 2003 and 2004 NFL seasons, the last club 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). Between 2001 and 2004, the Patriots became the second team in NFL history (after the Dallas Cowboys) to win three Super Bowls in four years (2001, 2003, 2004), and are also the last franchise to have achieved it.^[138]

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.

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).

LB Dont'a Hightower had two memorable plays in two of the Patriots' Super Bowl wins that were pivotal to the eventual victories. In Super Bowl XLIX, he had a last second tackle on 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 Falcons QB Matt Ryan was what turned out to be a crucial catalyst that helped led to the Patriots' historical comeback down 28–3.

AFC championships

The Patriots have won eleven AFC Championships, the record for the most conference championships all-time in the NFL.^[1]

Division championships

The 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.^[1]

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 both known as two of the franchise's most prolific postseason performers. Edelman ranks third all-time in league postseason receiving yards and receptions, and his spectacular catch late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI is considered one of the greatest catches of all time.

Season-by-season results

This is a partial list of the Patriots' last five completed seasons.

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

As of January 7, 2024

^[139]

Record vs. opponents

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

^[140]

Playoff record

The Patriots snapping the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.

^[141]

All-time leaders

The longest tenured and most decorated player in franchise history, Tom Brady holds nearly every record in career, single-season, and single-game passing statistics for the Patriots (regular season and playoffs), in addition to having the most total games played with the franchise.

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

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

Statistics

Individual awards

A three-time NFL MVP, two-time NFL OPOY, NFL CPOY and four-time Super Bowl MVP (the NFL-record for the most Super Bowl MVPs with one franchise) with the Patriots, Tom Brady is seen celebrating the team's dramatic comeback victory over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI

The following Patriots have received these league honorific awards. They 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.^[148]

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

Current roster

Hall of Fame G John Hannah, widely regarded as one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. Spending his entire career with the Patriots, Hannah received many individual accolades and awards, and is a franchise icon.

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 Patriots history, with a 47-yard pick-six in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Hall of Fame DE, 3x Super Bowl champion Richard Seymour. Seymour was considered one of the most versatile defensive lineman in the NFL during his tenure.

Hall of Fame LB Andre Tippett, the Patriots' all-time sack leader (100.0). Tippett achieved his sack totals in only 11 seasons played.

Hall of Fame WR Randy Moss, widely regarded as one of the greatest receivers of all time, caught an NFL-record (still standing) 23 receiving touchdowns in a single-season as a Patriot, during the historic undefeated 16–0 2007 season.

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, 10 players and 1 coach.^[149]

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.

Retired numbers

The Patriots have officially retired seven uniform numbers. The organization has not retired any numbers since 2001, likely to keep a healthy amount of them available to the up-to 90-man pre-season roster. Half of the retirees careers spanned the original AFL-era Boston Patriots. Bruce Armstrong is the most recent player to have his number retired.

Patriots Hall of Fame

The Patriots Hall of Fame features 31 former players and four contributors as a part of the franchise's own hall of fame, founded to independently commemorate significant members of the organization within the club's history. It is referred to by the team as "the franchise's highest individual honor". It was established in 1991, with John Hannah being the inaugural member.^[150]

The physical Patriots Hall of Fame building opened in 2008 outside of the stadium at Patriot Place, presented by RTX. Featuring a vast collection of game-worn gear, game-used equipment, memorabilia, trophies, in addition to multiple exhibits using audio and video technology, it is periodically renovated and updated yearly. It is described as a "modern, interactive museum".^[151]

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.^[152] In order to be eligible, players and head coaches must be retired for at least four years. Beginning in 2011, and meeting every four-to-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, alongside the traditional inductee.^[153]

Starting in 2009, long-time "contributors", which can range from roles such as assistant coaches and broadcasters, have been periodically inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame directly by owner Robert Kraft. Former team owner and founder Billy Sullivan was posthumously inducted in March 2009, before the Patriots' 50th season, as the first contributor inducted.^[154][155]

Notes:

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

^[156]

NFL All-Decade and Anniversary team selections

Tom Brady, John Hannah, and Bill Belichick are among the prestigious list of people to have been named to multiple NFL all-decade teams, all entirely for their time with the Patriots. Each were also named to the honorific NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Hannah was also selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time 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).^[157] Only those who spent time with New England during the respective decades are listed for all-decade team selections.

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

Patriots All-Decade teams

Starting in 2010, every ten years the Patriots Hall of Fame committee will release an all-decade team to celebrate the greatest members of the team at every position during each respective decade. The committee has retroactively released all-decade teams for every decade prior to the 2000s.^[158]

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:^[159] Additional selections for returner, special teamer, and coach were added in 2009:^[160]

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

Known affectionately as "Mr. Patriot", FL/K 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:^[160]

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

RB 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 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:^[160]

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

QB Steve Grogan was known as one of the daring players of his era, with his willingness to scramble out of the pocket. His 12 rushing touchdowns as a QB in 1976 would stand as single-season NFL-record until 2011, when Cam Newton surpassed it.

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:^[160]

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

K Adam Vinatieri began his long and storied career with the Patriots, completing multiple franchise-altering kicks to help the team 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 Bowl victories.

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:^[159][161]

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

WR Wes Welker, despite 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 2000–2023

2010s

On April 29, 2020, the Patriots Hall of Fame selection committee selected an all-decade team for the 2010s:^[162]

A Rutgers product, FS Devin McCourty was one of the defensive stalwarts of the 2010s teams. A career Patriot, McCourty is considered one of the greatest leaders to ever don a Patriots uniform, he was named a team captain every year after his rookie season for the rest of his 13-year career. His level of play 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, 2023 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 Stephon Gilmore (CB) 2017–2020
	Safety	Patrick Chung (SS) 2009–2012, 2014–2020 Devin McCourty (FS) 2010–2022
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 2000–2023

Patriots Anniversary teams

Periodically, the Patriots Hall of Fame committee will release an anniversary team to celebrate the greatest members of the team at every position up to the year of publication.^{[lower-alpha 6][158]}

35th Anniversary team (1994)

In 1994, a group of local media selected a 35th anniversary team:^[159]

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

LB Steve Nelson was a defensive anchor for the Patriots for 14 seasons. 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:^[159]

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

S Rodney Harrison joined the Patriots after the team failed to repeat as champions in the 2002 season. His physicality, 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 Bowls 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 2000–2023

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 at every position throughout the Patriots dynasty from 2001 to 2019:^[163][158]

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

DT Vince Wilfork was drafted in the 2004 NFL Draft and contributed immediately. Wilfork is known as one of the greatest pure 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 decades of the dynasty (2004 and 2014).

Pro Bowl selections

The following Patriots players have been named to the Pro Bowl (or the AFL All-Star game prior to 1970):^[164]

Two Patriots has been named Pro Bowl MVP, Vito "Babe" Parilli in 1966 (AFL), and Ty Law as co-MVP in 1998.

In addition to the players, three Patriots coaches have participated in the Pro Bowl as conference coaches. Mike Holovak in 1963 and 1966 (AFL), Chuck Fairbanks in 1978, and Bill Belichick in 2006 and 2010.

Special teams gunner Matthew Slater, widely regarded as one of the greatest special teams players ever, holds the record for the most Pro Bowl selections of any special teams player in NFL history with 10 selections.

• 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, Matthew Judon (2), Chris Slade, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Jamie Collins
• 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

First-team All-Pro selections

The following Patriots players have been named AP First-team All-Pro (or All-AFL prior to 1970):^[164]

CB Stephon Gilmore was an integral member of the Patriots' late 2010s defenses, achieving two-time First-team All-Pro honors and the franchise's first NFL DPOY recipient in 2019. His fourth-quarter interception during the final minutes of Super Bowl LIII helped seal the Patriots' eventual victory.

• 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, Marcus Jones

All-time first-round draft picks

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 someone such as future Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Haynes to seek an owner who was team first.^[165]

Following his bankruptcy, Sullivan sold the team to Remington Products owner Victor Kiam in 1988.^[166] 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.^[167]

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.^[168]

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.^[169][170]

Head coaches

Bill Belichick, head coach from 2000 to 2023, led the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time.

The Patriots have had 15 head coaches throughout their history as a franchise. Jerod Mayo has coached the Patriots since 2024, and is the first coach in the club's history to have played for the team (2008-2015).

Bill Belichick had the longest tenure as head coach (23 seasons) with the Patriots, and coached the team from 2000 to 2023. 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 numerous accomplishments with the Patriots. He 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 was the NFL's longest-tenured head coach at the time of his departure, as well as the first all-time in playoff coaching wins with 31 and third in regular season coaching wins in the NFL with 297.^[171] He is one of only three head coaches who have won six NFL titles.^[172] He was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year for the 2003, 2007, and 2010 seasons.^[173] Belichick led the team for more regular season games (336), post-season games (42) and more complete seasons (23) than any other head coach. His 266 wins with the Patriots are far and away the most in franchise history, more than quadruple 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 died Parcells overruled the stipulation with loopholes, so he would remain in control as general manager, 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.^[174] 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 him 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.^[175] 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 season.

Note:

• ^* = Interim coach

Offensive coordinator history

Source:^[176]

Defensive coordinator history

Source:^[176]

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.^[177] Notable alumni of the cheerleading squad include wrestler Carmella^[178] and model Camille Kostek.^[179] Long-time cheerleading director Tracy Sormanti, who was the cheer director since 1994 and had been involved with the organization since 1983, died after a three-year battle with multiple myeloma in 2020. She was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2021 as a contributor.^[180]

Mascots

Pat Patriot in 2009

The Patriots' official mascot since 1995 has been Pat Patriot, a revolutionary minuteman wearing a Patriots home jersey based on the original logo of the same name.^[181]

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).^[182] 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.^[183]

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.^[184][185]

Fans

The team draws much of its fanbase from the New England region of the United States, as well as from the Canadian province of Quebec^{[186][187][188]} and much of Atlantic Canada.^[189]

Snowplow Game

During a December 12, 1982 home game against the Miami Dolphins under icy conditions, the game remained scoreless until the fourth quarter when Patriots head coach Ron Meyer motioned to snowplow operator Mark Henderson to specifically clear a spot on the field for New England kicker John Smith so he could kick what proved to be the game-winning 33-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 3–0 win. At the time, an emergency ground rule was put into play where the officials could call time-out and allow the ground crew to use a snowplow to clear the yard markers, but not plow often enough to keep the field clear. Dolphins head coach Don Shula, believing it to be against the league rules, pointed out that the league's unfair act clause allowed the league to overturn it, and met with NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle several days later to formally protest the game result. Although Rozelle agreed with Shula that the use of the plow gave the Patriots an unfair advantage, he said that he had never reversed the result of a game and was not going to start doing so for any reason, including cheating.^[192] Henderson, a convict on work release, jokingly remarked, "What are they gonna do, throw me in jail?"^[193][194]

The following year, the NFL banned the use of snowplows on the field during a game. The Patriots organization has commemorated the game with an exhibit at the Hall at Patriot Place within Gillette Stadium, where the plow itself hangs from the ceiling.^[195]

Spygate

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.^[196][197] 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.^[198]

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.^[199][200] A lengthy investigation and heated debate commenced shortly afterwards, with a full report being published in May 2015.^[201][202] 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.^[202] A later study by the American Enterprise Institute called the evidence and methodology of the Wells report "deeply flawed" and "unreliable".^[203]

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.^[204] Brady eventually agreed to serve the suspension in 2016, but led the Patriots to win Super Bowl LI in spite of it.^[205]