The 2022 season got here to an finish for the Patriots yesterday, as their loss to the Payments gave the staff an 8-9 report and stored them out of the postseason. That represents a disappointing end to the marketing campaign and has invited hypothesis about modifications being made on the sidelines.
One fixed which can stay heading into 2023 might be head coach Invoice Belichick. The 70-year-old introduced on Monday that he’ll keep on because the Patriots’ bench boss for what might be his twenty fourth season on the helm. He made it clear, nonetheless, {that a} thorough assessment of the group will begin, including that “we’ll take a look at all the pieces.”
Whereas Belichick’s announcement comes as little shock, it additionally included little in the best way of particulars regarding the way forward for the staff’s offensive teaching workers. To interchange longtime offensive coordinator (and present Raiders head coach) Josh McDaniels, the Patriots elected to separate his obligations between ex-Pats staffers Matt Patricia and Joe Choose. The marked lack of expertise on the offensive aspect of the ball for each of them led to loads of scrutiny main into, and through, the season.
New England completed the yr within the backside half of the league on a number of offensive fronts, averaging 331 yards and 21.4 factors per recreation. Second-year quarterback Mac Jones took a step again in a number of classes, resulting in one thing of a QB controversy when he was briefly changed by rookie Bailey Zappe resulting from an damage earlier within the season. Most significantly, the unit’s struggles have led to rising requires a brand new, extra skilled OC to be brought in.
When requested about the way forward for Patricia and Choose within the group (or at the very least of their present capacities), Belichick added, via Michael Hurley of CBS Boston, “We’ll consider all the pieces that we’ve executed – from me on all the way down to everyone else – and consider issues and make enhancements the place we really feel like we will. Once more, there have been a variety of constructive issues over the yr in all areas that we will construct on, however in the long run, it wasn’t what we would like it to be or want it to be.”
Alabama OC – and fellow Patriots alum – Invoice O’Brien has been connected to a potential vacancy for a similar position in New England. The curiosity between him and the Patriots, relying on which route the staff goes regarding Patricia and Choose, might be price monitoring within the offseason. In any case, the established order might be in place for at the very least another yr regarding the staff’s chief on the sidelines.
