The Patriots are undergoing another brain drain on their already depleted coaching staff. Josh McDaniels’ absence leaves a huge void on the offensive side of the ball, without an obvious heir apparent ready to step in and call plays.
Sounds like a job for renowned offensive genius Matt Patricia.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported “smart NFL personnel” are projecting that Patricia could join the Patriots’ offensive staff next season. He returned to New England last year as a senior football advisor following his disastrous stint as head coach of the Lions.
On a similar note, the Patriots hired Joe Judge last week as an offensive assistant, providing another failed Belichick disciple with a comfortable landing spot. “The public perception of Patricia and Judge might not be high after their stints as head coaches with the Lions and Giants, respectively, but Belichick's respect for their coaching acumen as assistants, how they fit in the Patriots' culture and his trust in them is well documented,” Reiss writes.
The Patriots need more coaches on offense. McDaniels is also reportedly taking receivers coach Mick Lombardi and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo to Vegas with him. But Patricia’s resume doesn’t indicate he would succeed on that side of the ball. His last extended time on offense came during the 2004-05 season when he was an assistant offensive line coach.
Judge’s only season on offense came in 2019, when he coached the Patriots’ receivers.
For years, Belichick has operated without an official defensive coordinator, and it seems as if he could install a similar system on offense. Mike Lombardi told Merloni and Fauria last week he expects Belichick to run the offense himself.
The prospect of Belichick taking on even more responsibility next season is troubling, considering he’ll be 70 years old. Mac Jones’ inexperience only adds to the challenge. Belichick often says players make their biggest leaps in their second seasons.
It’s hard to imagine Jones thriving under the tutelage of Patricia and Judge, that is, unless Patricia is also coaching the other team’s defense.
The Patriots allowed 41 points and 538 yards to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII. the last time Patricia donned a headset on their sideline.
