Former Packers WR and Super Bowl Champion Greg Jennings Dismisses Pats' "Easy Schedule" Narrative

New England faced a lot of discussion in 2025 about whether their success was due to an easy schedule. The team finished 14–3 and reached Super Bowl 60, where they ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Critics pointed out that several playoff opponents were missing key players, including the Los Angeles Chargers playing without Justin Herbert at full health, the Houston Texans without Nico Collins, and the Denver Broncos without Bo Nix. Not too many people want to play down Seattle's success due to Drake Maye and Will Campbell playing with a bad shoulder and knee respectively, and why should they? Because that would be ridiculous. So, why are people so adamant that's the sole reason the Pats made the Super Bowl?

Former Green Bay Packers receiver Greg Jennings dismissed the “easy schedule” narrative during an appearance on First Take. He argued that teams never approach a season thinking their schedule will be easy or hard, and that players simply prepare for whichever opponent is next. According to Jennings, every week requires a game plan regardless of perceived schedule strength.

“We have to stop this,” the former Green Bay Packers wide receiver said on “First Take.” “No. I don’t think I’ve heard, in any year of me being in tune with NFL football, it talked about as much as last year of a team having an easy schedule. “Not a single coach in my 10 years of players has ever gotten in front of a team and said, ‘Guys, this year is gonna be tough. We have a first-place schedule,’” Jennings added. “Or, ‘This year’s gonna be a lot easier. We got a really layup schedule now. We can take advantage of this.’ “Your opponent is who your opponent’s gonna be,” he concluded. “You understand you have to put together a game plan every single week.”

Head coach Mike Vrabel also pushed back on the criticism, calling it “mind-boggling.” He noted that coaches do not control the schedule and emphasized that the NFL salary cap creates competitive balance because every team spends roughly the same amount.

Looking ahead, the Patriots are expected to face a more difficult schedule in 2026, including games against the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and Kansas City Chiefs. To return to the Super Bowl, New England will need to address roster weaknesses during the offseason and make decisions on several pending free agents.