The New England Patriots offense was inept and lackluster all season.
Multiple sources within the organization questioned Belichick’s decision to replace longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who left following the 2021 season to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, with two coaches that had very little experience on the offensive side of the ball.
Head Coach Bill Belichick made a head-scratching decision to have longtime defensive coach Matt Patricia call offensive plays and longtime special teams coach Joe Judge coach the quarterback for the 2022 season.
The Patriots offense struggled mightily in the 2022 season. They ranked 26th in total offense, 27th in third-down conversions and dead last in red zone efficiency a year after ranking in the top-10 in many offensive stats under McDaniels while having much of the same personnel on that side of the ball.
The playbook the Patriots offensive coaching staff gave their players in 2022 was roughly half the size of the playbook they got in previous seasons.
A source reportedly told the Boston Herald that the offense was “disheveled” and the coaches “were always scrambling to get things done.”
Belichick told The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy that he believed Patricia and Judge are “good coaches,” but added, “if it doesn’t go well, blame me.”
A couple of members of the Patriots organization did just that.
“It’s always been about winning and doing what’s best for the team. I really believe (Belichick) when he says that,” a source told the Boston Herald. “I just think he really didn’t understand how hard it was going to be.”
“I love coach (Belichick), but he f—ed us,” another source told the Boston Herald.
QB Mac Jones took a step back after a strong rookie season. Jones’ frustration with how the offense was performing become apparent over a three-game stretch in December. In the first of those three games, Jones yelled on the sideline using expletives to show his frustration over the quick and short passing games not working as they lost to the Buffalo Bills.
Less than a week after the season ended, the Patriots made an unprecedented announcement that they were interviewing offensive coordinator candidates following the 2022 disaster. That search ended earlier this week when they re-hired Bill O’Brien as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
