3 Reasons the Patriots Will Win the AFC East in 2023
By Tyler Maher
2. Bill O’Brien Will Fix the Offense
The biggest difference between the 2023 Patriots and 2022 Patriots is that this year’s team has a real offensive coordinator. Last year’s squad didn’t, and boy did it show.
Thankfully, Matt Patricia and Joe Judge are no longer in charge with running the offense. Bill O’Brien is, which is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
Not only did O’Brien oversee some potent offenses during his time as head coach of the Houston Texans, but he also served as New England’s OC back in 2011. The Patriots made the Super Bowl that year, so he clearly did a pretty good job.
O’Brien’s top priority needs to be getting Mac Jones back on track. And it’s hard to see O’Brien taking this job if he didn’t think this offense had a long-term answer at quarterback. Having spent the last two seasons at Alabama, you better believe O’Brien would’ve made sure to get the inside scoop on Jones before signing up to coach him.
Jones was a Pro Bowler as a rookie in 2021 but looked lost and broken last year (as did many of his teammates). If O’Brien can restore Jones’ confidence and get him to take a big step forward this year, that will go a long way toward fixing the offensive issues that plagued New England last season and make the team a legitimate contender in the AFC East again.