Earlier this week, the Patriots hired Joe Judge as an offensive assistant, which then had many wondering if this would be it when it comes to additions this offseason?
Bill O'Brien's name had come up a bunch to replace Josh McDaniels, as well as Adam Gase's, but wouldn't they would have been hired before Judge?
Appearing on Gresh & Keefe Thursday, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport indicated this may be it when it comes to the offensive staff for 2022.
“I do believe Bill O’Brien was considered. I think it’s something he would have considered as well. But in the end, it ends up being Joe Judge on the offensive side of the ball, not special teams," he said. "The way the Patriots are configured, it’s always a little different. They’ve gone [years] without a defensive coordinator. They’ve gone years without an offensive coordinator. They have had one in action, but not actually promoted them in a way of shielding them from the press making sure they don’t have to answer questions. They’ve structured things differently.
"I think it’s possible that this may be it on the offensive side of the ball. I feel like it would be Judge with some added responsibility, Nick Caley with some added responsibility, Mick Lombardi with some added responsibility and kind of do it all as a group and make a decision on an OC potentially next year.”
Rapoport also mentioned Bill Belichick having more of a role on offense, listen to the full clip below for more.
