Maybe Bill Belichick turned the Patriots’ offense over to Matt Patricia because he knows Patricia won’t leave him.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer shed more light over the weekend on the Patriots’ bizarre decision to hand Patricia play-calling duties, saying Bill O’Brien was open to coming back, but Belichick wasn’t sure he would stick around as an assistant.
“My understanding is that Bill O'Brien would have been amenable to coming back here,” said Breer, via NBC Sports Boston. “He was going to let Bill [Belichick] and Nick [Saban] handle this. And ultimately, Bill Belichick didn't want to bring Bill O'Brien back because he was afraid he might lose him after a year.”
O’Brien spent four years with the Patriots from 2007-11, culminating in a one-year stint as offensive coordinator. He then left to become the head coach of a post-Jerry Sandusky Penn State program, and was head coach of the Texans from 2014-20.
He’s in his second season as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
Given O’Brien’s successful track record — he led the Texans to four postseason appearances — it’s likely other teams would’ve been interested in his services. But that’s what happens when you hire good help: people want them.
Historically, that hasn’t prohibited Belichick from picking assistants. But apparently, it’s crept into his thinking now. Breer also says that tight ends coach Nick Caley doesn’t have a bigger role this season, because he’s not signed past 2022.
If true, Belichick is thinking like a small-timer. He’s not confident enough that O’Brien would’ve liked his experience in Foxborough to return for another season, especially as offensive coordinator?
That’s just as troubling as the Patriots’ woeful play.
