The New England Patriots are going to go through some growing pains this upcoming season. Their golden boy Tom Brady has moved on from the franchise and is being replaced by 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton.

But no matter what happens to them this season, I'd say they've already reached their quota in terms of on-field success for at least the next couple of centuries or so.

Ever since the turn of the new millennium, the Pats have been the most successful team in the NFL by the largest of margins. They've won six of the past twenty Super Bowls since 2000 and were the 1st runner up three other times.

That means that made it nearly half the time for the past two decades. If that's not considered as absolute dominance, then I don't know what is.

But of course, the team wouldn't be here without the great players who led the way for them to reach the heights that they would. We're here to celebrate five of the greatest legends in New England Patriots history.

Let's get started.

5. John Hannah, G

Offensive lineman John Hannah never won a Super Bowl for the New England Patriots, but he basically did everything but that. Other than that single blemish, he was all Patriots fans could ever ask for.

He made nine Pro Bowl appearances, second only to Tom Brady for the most in franchise history. He beats Brady though in First Team All-Pro distinctions with seven total.

Hannah is widely regarded as one of the greatest offensive linemen not just for the Patriots, but in the entire history of the sport.

4. Adam Vinatieri, K

It feels weird to place a kicker on a list of legends for a franchise that has had no shortage in legendary players, but Adam Vinatieri no ordinary kicker. He's clearly considered by many to be the greatest kicker of all-time.

Vinatieri is a two-time member of the All-Pro team. He's also twice led the league in FG%. Adam is also the NFL's leading scorer in its entire history with 2,673 points credited under his name.

He even held the franchise's all-time leading scoring mark for a long while until it was upended by fellow kicker Stephen Gostkowski. He's left a mark on football history, but also one just as big for the Patriots.

3. Troy Brown, WR

Wide receiver Troy Brown may not have had the highest highs in terms of individual success as a receiver for the Patriots, but he more than makes up for it with his longevity with the franchise.

The man only made the Pro Bowl once in 2001, catching 101 total passes and was a yard short of the 1,200-yard mark. But he played his entire 15-season career with New England.

He ranks second all-time in passes caught for the franchise and was a part of four Super Bowl teams that yielded three total championships.

2. Andre Tippett, LB

The all-time leader in sacks with 100 total, Andre Tippett was a defensive dynamo for the Patriots during his glory days.

He played his entire 11-year career for New England, being named to five straight Pro Bowls from 1984 – 1988. Tippett was also twice awarded First Team All-Pro member.

Andre was clearly the most fearsome defensive presence the team has ever had. He set the team-mark with 18.5 sacks in 1984 and followed that up with an impressive 16.5 total the following year.

1. Tom Brady, QB

What kind of a list would this be without the man who led the way for those aforementioned six Super Bowl victories. Not only is Tom Brady the clear cut greatest New England Patriot of all-time, but he's also considered by many to be the greatest player the sports has ever seen, period.

Winning six rings should be enough to end any and all arguments, but he has too many more accomplishments under his belt not to mention.

Brady's a 14-time Pro Bowlers. Not only did he win three MVP awards, but Tom did it in a span longer than a decade. The fact that he won his first MVP in 2007 and his last in 2017 just goes to show the longevity of success he enjoyed at the highest level.

He also the safe bet to hold basically every Super Bowl QB record in existence – attempts (392), completions (256), yards (2,838), touchdown passes (18), and Super Bowl MVP awards (4).

Tom Brady has grown accustomed to the Super Bowl lifestyle. So have New England Patriots fans, thanks in large part to Brady's exploits. His time may be up in New England, but he will forever be a deity to every single Patriots fan for the rest of his life.