His play declined this year
Remember: in the Superbowl he threw 0 TD and 1 INT and scored 13 points
Against the Titans he threw 1 INT 0 TD and scored 13 points.
Some blame the supporting cast but last year he had Gronk and a healthy Edelman and had the same result.
This year he was missing throws and panicking under pressure. He was also banged up.
None of that gets better at age 43.
If NE has to pay him the going rate of 25-30 million they are going to have to let other guys walk.