There’s an elephant in the room where the hopes of the Patriots 2023 season are hanging out.
New England’s defense is a top-5 unit in the NFL, their special teams (while not great a season ago) has made changes and will undoubtedly be better, but what about their offense?
That’s the elephant.
The Patriots offense is in the middle of a major revamp with the addition of Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator and a decision on the fifth-year option of quarterback Mac Jones looming.
New England not only added O’Brien this offseason, but also signed two pass catchers to add to Jones’ arsenal in WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and TE Mike Gesicki. Was that enough?
6 rings: The Patriots' offense has improved, but remains average
Longtime NFL writer Bill Barnwell ranked all 32 teams’ offensive weaponry in a recent column for ESPN. Here’s part of his excerpt on the Patriots, who he ranked as the 26th best in the NFL:
“JuJu Smith-Schuster isn't likely to ever live up to that 1,426-yard season from 2018, but the former Steelers and Chiefs wideout can be a tough pass-catcher over the middle of the field. He ranked fifth in the league in yards after catch over expected (YACOE) among wide receivers last season, trailing superstars Jaylen Waddle, A.J. Brown, Ja'Marr Chase and Deebo Samuel. Mike Gesicki, a ‘tight end’ in the same way Joe Judge and Matt Patricia were ‘offensive coaches’ last year, should see more snaps in the slot and serve as a useful red zone player.
The homegrown players, as always, are who Belichick needs to thrive. Rhamondre Stevenson has grown into one of the NFL's most efficient running backs, with fumbles as his only real sticking point. With Damien Harris moving on and James Robinson already off the roster before Independence Day, Stevenson has a clear path to his largest workload as a pro. If he can sustain that efficiency and Tyquan Thornton can emerge as the deep threat this team has needed since their year-long dalliance with Brandin Cooks in 2017, the Patriots should be back on the rise.”
While 26th in the league feels low for this group, Barnwell is right about the homegrown players. Stevenson (2021, R4) and Thornton (2022, R2) are two players on rookie contract whose performance in 2023 will be critical in helping put to bed the “the Patriots can’t draft” narrative.
Another homegrown talent to add to this mix is running back Pierre Strong Jr. The former South Dakota State Jack Rabbit played just 51 offensive snaps during his rookie season, but will have the opportunity during training camp to show why he should be called upon to spell Stevenson in the backfield. New England generally redshirts their running backs for year one, so 2023 can be Strong’s breakout if all goes according to plan.
Barnwell also suggested that Kendrick Bourne “might be competing for his roster spot against DeVante Parker in training camp.” This feels far-fetched. The only way I see this being the case is if the Patriots do end up signing DeAndre Hopkins to a deal, but even then - they’d be better off bringing him as an addition, not a replacement.
New England’s revamped core consists of two wide receivers that have eclipsed 1,000 yards in Smith-Schuster and Parker and two starting-caliber tight ends in Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki. You can certainly do better, but I don't buy 26th.
These guys are serviceable. The lynchpin always has been, and always will be Mac Jones. For more on that, click here.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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