The Patriots had a rocky offensive season in 2022 in their first year trying to replace former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Mac Jones regressed from his rookie season and the team missed the playoffs as Matt Patricia and Joe Judge ran the offense.
After the season, New England brought back Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. He spent the past two years at Alabama and previously replaced McDaniels with the Patriots back in 2010.
New England has yet to reach training camp, but the difference in coaching may already be apparent. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was asked about O’Brien’s presence so far, and he had a ton of praise that seemed to imply shade at Patricia.
“He’s familiar with what he’s doing,” Bourne said. “Change is good. It’s something we needed, I feel like, and it feels good so far.”
Kendrick Bourne plainly stating that this off-season with Bill O’Brien has been outstanding because “He knows what he’s doing (in all facets.” pic.twitter.com/t7aNBDqOSX
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) June 9, 2023
While Judge remains with the team, Patricia left New England to take a defensive assistant role with the Eagles. Primarily a defensive coach, Patricia worked with the offense for the first time in his career last season.
Moving forward, O’Brien gives the Patriots a more experienced offensive play caller. While Bourne may have been throwing shade at Patricia, he emphasized that every year the team is trying to improve.
“New year, new me, new us, new everything,” he continued. “That’s what we’re focused on, that’s always the goal every year is to move forwards and be better.”
