Why Bill O'Brien is biggest key to Pats' success in 2023
When the Patriots released veteran QB Brian Hoyer (now with the Las Vegas Raiders), it created an opening for a third quarterback, leaving just Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, a third- and second-year QB respectively, on the roster. While some thought the upcoming draft would be the avenue they’d travel to pursue a new signal caller, others familiar with the team thought a veteran QB would be the more likely option. The latter option would turn out to be true, and it’s a QB who's familiar with the new offensive coordinator, no less.
According to reports, the Patriots have signed quarterback Trace McSorley, giving them three QBs on the roster. McSorley, who was drafted by the Ravens in 2019, has been in the league four years, with previous stops in Baltimore and Arizona. His most recent game action was in 2022 when Cardinals starter Kyler Murray went down (against the Patriots no less) for the season, and backup Colt McCoy was also injured. McSorley got one start and was ultimately benched in Week 17 for journeyman David Blough in Arizona.
Whether he’s just a camp arm or a reclamation project, one thing the former Penn State Nittany Lion has going for him in Foxboro is offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who actually recruited McSorley to play at Penn State. O’Brien never got to coach him, though, as he departed for the Houston Texans before MCSorley’s four-year run with the Nittany Lions began.
McSorley played well under coach James Franklin in 2016 and 2017, garnering Heisman votes in the process. A decent 2018 and concerns over the program and his size (just 6’0” tall) led him to fall to the sixth round, where he was grabbed by the Ravens. His most memorable action in Baltimore was when he played in their Wednesday night COVID rescheduled game in 2020, where he threw his first career NFL touchdown.
The signing of McSorley does not take the Patriots out of consideration for taking a QB in the upcoming NFL Draft. Just how the room will shake out and how McSorley will factor into what many believe will be a competition between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe? Time will tell.
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