The makeup of the Patriots’ offensive coaching staff is starting to become more clear. But that doesn’t mean fans will be happy with the arrangement.
SI’s Albert Breer reports Joe Judge is “expected” to work with quarterbacks, while Matt Patricia will handle the offensive line. That arrangement dovetails with speculation over the last couple of weeks about the two trusted Bill Belichick assistants taking control of the offensive side of the ball.
The Patriots have lost four offensive coaches this offseason, with Josh McDaniels taking quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree, offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo and receivers coach Mick Lombardi with him to Las Vegas. In the wake of those departures, New England rehired Judge as an offensive assistant.
The Giants canned Judge last month following a dismal 10-23 performance over the last two years. A former special teams coach, Judge’s most memorable offensive play call came in the Giants’ season finale loss to Washington, when he embarrassingly called for a quarterback sneak on 3rd-and-9.
Patricia spent the 2005 season as an assistant offensive line coach before moving over to the defensive side of the ball in 2006. The Lions fired Patricia in 2020 after going 13-29 over three seasons with him at the helm.
Breer adds there hasn’t been any contact between the Patriots and Bill O’Brien and Adam Gase, both of whom have been speculated as possible additions to the staff. O’Brien spent four years as an assistant under Belichick, and Gase worked under McDaniels in Denver as a wide receivers coach.
There’s still no word on who will call plays for the Patriots next season. Belichick worked without an official offensive coordinator during his first three seasons with the Browns. The Patriots still don't have an official defensive coordinator, either.
Without an official OC, Judge and Patricia figure to become influential players in Mac Jones’ development.
Yikes.
