The 2023 New England Patriots have spiraled out of control in a way that’s never been seen in the Bill Belichick era.
Regardless of what happens on Sunday against the New York Jets, the 4–12 Patriots will finish with the worst record since Belichick became the team’s head coach in 2000.
After the team put together a lifeless offense in 2022, with former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia assuming play-calling duties, a new report from the Boston Herald indicates that Belichick was willing to run it back in ’23 with Patricia continuing to call the offense.
However, team owner Robert Kraft pushed for coaching changes after a dismal ’22 season offensively, looking for improvement from the 8–9 campaign. Belichick relented and ultimately let Patricia go, while hiring former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to assume his old post as the new offensive coordinator. O’Brien was the preferred hire by Kraft to replace Patricia and run the offense.
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Instead of taking a step forward, New England has taken multiple steps back. Starting quarterback Mac Jones was benched, and Bailey Zappe, who backed him up last season, took over as the starter for the last five games. He’s completed 63.2% of his passes for 1,184 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions. New England is 2–3 since he took over.
Questions continue to swirl regarding Belichick’s future with the franchise, especially with staffing disagreements present with Kraft. All eyes will be on New England this offseason, as the potential for a major shakeup looms for the first time in nearly 2.5 decades.
