The two weeks since the regular season ended for the Patriots have been wilder than almost any juncture of the past campaign. Which was lackluster to say the least.
First came the head-turners immediately after elimination in Buffalo that included Bill Belichick’s press conference and the “27th in cash spending” claim that stirred up more dialogue and controversy than intended. Same day there was Robert Kraft's email to season ticket members that the team would be undertaking drastic measures to better the product for next season. Finally we had the most unusual Tuesday night press release announcing the team was working to secure a long-term deal with defensive assistant Jerod May as well as the official commencement of a search for a new offensive coordinator. As unusual a two-day offseason span as can be recalled in recent Patriots memory.
CUT TO: this week, when the offensive coordinator interviews began, and there was quite a flurry of them for those who wondered if this would be a long, drawn-out process. The rapid succession began a few days ago and culminated Friday after a whopping fifth interview, all done via videoconference.
No official word on whether there will be any more interviews next week, or as to when a decision will be made. Rumors have swirled for some time that Bill O’Brien, who was with the team as the OC (or de facto OC) from 2009-11, is the frontrunner and in fact has allegedly been the organization’s top target all along. He’s liked by ownership and fans alike, though it’s unclear if any deal is imminent. While we await any word on how the other candidates, who represent a broad spectrum of experience at the pro level as well as connections to the Patriots, performed in their time, one has to wonder if O’Brien was in fact the one all along if the Patriots weren’t trying to use the interview process to their coaching staff’s advantage.
Would it surprise anyone if the Pats wanted O’Brien all along and did their due diligence to meet with other candidates, possibly on a recruitment process for their own 2023 staff? It would not. And there’s nothing below board about that, either. Though it would be interesting if one or more of the candidates secured another position on the Patriots staff. No word has been shared on whether the other coaches on staff will or will not return for next season, save offensive coordinator (yes, the Pats technically didn’t have one last year, but we’re all onboard here). Perhaps Adrian Klemm could become a candidate for offensive line coach, joining former Jaguars coach Doug Marrone in the candidate pool. Maybe Shawn Jefferson finds a home in the place he once excelled as a receiver now that Arizona is looking into an entirely new coaching staff. And maybe, just maybe, someone wowed the Patriots to a point that they now are a legitimate candidate for the OC position. Though not likely, stranger things have happened. And if these two weeks have taught us anything, it’s to be prepared for major changes and a different way of doing business after a very busy start to the offseason in Foxboro.
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