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Projecting the Patriots’ starting offense for the 2023 season

By Lou Scataglia

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Mike Onwenu #71 of the New England Patriots gets set against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Mike Onwenu #71 of the New England Patriots gets set against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots’ offense could still undergo a good bit of change before the beginning of the 2023 season. How might the lineup look?  There are a few positions that are just about settled and should not see much movement between now and the start of the 2023 season.

However, the Patriots still have a few holes on offense that they may want to fill before the start of the 2023 season, and I think the projected starting lineup at this very moment will look a bit different before the season begins.

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) /

Projecting the Patriots’ starting offense for the 2023 season – Quarterback

Mac Jones

It doesn’t look like the Patriots are urgently looking to replace Mac Jones at this very moment.  I guess it’s still possible for them to swing a trade for Lamar Jackson, but that doesn’t appear likely.  Jones is probably going to begin the season on a very short leash, and that’s the right thing to do.

He struggled in 2022 while Bailey Zappe looked much better in the offense.  I do think Jones plays better than he did in 2022, but I’m not sure it’ll be enough for the Pats to feel comfortable moving forward with him after 2023.

The Pats have the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and if they are or already have fallen in love with a quarterback that we just don’t know about, they could draft one in the first round.

They could also take a stab on a developmental prospect in the middle rounds, but I don’t think anyone other than Mac Jones is starting for this team come week one.

If he struggles, though, they won’t hesitate to pull him.

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