Could this former player replace Matt Patricia as OC?

When Bill Belichick decided to bring back Matt Patricia last season, the coach received a lot of criticism for his choice. But the conversation has grown sourer since Patricia’s re-hire, as he is now the official unofficial offensive coordinator.

Much of the debate regarding the new play-caller has focused on his lack of experience on the offensive side of the football. Despite entering the NFL and starting his career as an offensive assistant and assistant offensive line coach, the vast majority of Patricia’s career has been spent working with different position groups within the defense.

Regardless of anyone’s stance on his qualifications for the job he’s been given, Belichick decided it was the right move. He then named Patricia the offensive line coach on top of his other duties, which also received an adverse reaction from fans and media members. Although many live by the mantra, “In Belichick, we trust,” there was a lot of concern stemming from watching the offense throughout preseason practices and games, as the entire group appeared disjointed and unimpressive.

Those worries have trickled into the regular season, as the issues seen before week one have continued halfway through the year.

The offensive line has performed inconsistently, racking in too many penalties and providing little protection to the quarterbacks. Mac Jones has not produced similar numbers as he did his rookie season and appears to almost play like a different player than seen before the 2022 season.

Jones’ performance has garnered much attention, so much so that many are pinning the blame for his lackluster production on the coaching. Patricia appears as the root of all the issues, given that he coaches the OL and develops the game plan, leading to many calls for his firing from his position, if not the team entirely.

Several names have floated around as potential suitors to replace Patricia as the offensive coordinator if he was ever let go. From Bill O’Brien to Josh McDaniels, Patriots fans and the New England media have considered it all.

But now a former player turned ESPN football analyst has revealed his interest in the potential opportunity, sparking a new conversation amongst those who follow the team.

During a Tuesday appearance on WEEI’s Merloni, Fauria & Mego, Dan Orlovsky was asked if he would ever be interested in taking the job to work with Belichick if the opportunity ever presented itself.

"“If Mac Jones is there, I would. I don’t know Coach Belichick well enough to say yes or no. I think it’s ignorant to sit there and go, you don’t want to learn from the greatest coach ever. I know that’s not an easy thing. I’ve heard [it’s a hard job]. Most of the NFL has heard that. Yeah, it’s a hard job for sure, but I also think it’s a job where you sit there and go, like you have the opportunity to learn from the greatest ever. Again, that’s probably a long, long road away, but I think at the right place, at the right time, it’s something that I’m very much so interested in.”"

Orlovsky’s response is precisely what you would expect from the former player. Not only does working with the best coach in the game sound riveting, but the idea of helping to improve a struggling offense led by a quarterback he’s consistently defended sounds too good of an opportunity to pass up.

During his appearances on NFL Live and his personal time taking to Twitter, Orlovsky has been a staunch defender of Mac Jones. He continuously squashes the idea that the quarterback is the main problem this season while simultaneously calling out the predictable play-calling and inconsistent protection from the OL.

The idea of handing the offensive keys to a former NFL quarterback may sound like a crazy idea, especially given his complete lack of experience calling plays. But it’s almost as intriguing to consider how successful it could be.

It’s unlikely we’ll see Belichick actually make this happen, mainly because he has yet to indicate that he is ready to move on from Patricia. But Orlovsky’s show of interest could be something interesting to consider for the long-time head coach if Patricia cannot turn things around for the better the remainder of the season.