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Patriots linked to old staffer to be offensive coordinator in 2023

By Lou Scataglia

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 26: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots and the offense take the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 26: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots and the offense take the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots are apparently being linked to a former offensive staff member to be their new offensive coordinator in 2023.  This would be a huge, huge deal for the Patriots and likely come as a long-term solution for the group.

According to Ian Rapoport in an article for NFL.com, the team has their sight set on trying to bring back Bill O’Brien to serve as the offensive coordinator in 2023.  I think we all remember Bill O’Brien and what he was able to do for the team.

He was on the offensive staff from 2007-2011, and was the OC/QB coach in 2011, during which the Patriots scored 32.1 points per game and saw Tom Brady throw 39 touchdowns.  After that, he coached at Penn State for a bit, returned to the NFL as the head coach of the Houston Texans, and has since been the OC at Alabama under Nick Saban.

As the Texans’ head coach, O’Brien went 52-48, including five winning seasons and four playoff appearances.  His tenure in Houston ended poorly as his work as the de-facto General Manager was not exactly idea.  However, his offensive knowledge is evident.

I also think it helps that he’s worked with quite a few young quarterbacks during his time in the NFL and college.  Recently, he worked with a young Deshaun Watson in Houston and Bryce Young when he went to Alabama.

Perhaps at this point, calling plays off of a Texas Roadhouse menu might yield better results than what we’ve seen from Matt Patricia this season.  I do believe that no matter what happens with the status of Bill Belichick, Patricia will not be calling plays in 2023, and likely won’t be on the offensive staff.

Bringing back Bill O’Brien makes a ton of sense for the Patriots and is something they need to do if they plan on bringing out the best in Mac Jones.

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