Their upset win over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI turned the New England Patriots and especially their quarterback into superstars. But while the team shined bright off the field, it failed to do the same on it. Due to this, the defending Super Bowl champions finished the 2002 season with a 9-7 record, and losing a playoff spot on a tie breaker.
Heading into 2003, changes were needed and the most notable came at the safety position. In March, the Patriots signed veteran free agent Rodney Harrison, in September — five days before the season opener — they released team captain Lawyer Milloy.