Surprise Report on Bill O'Brien's Patriots Future Emerges
New England's offseason rebrand is fully underway. Bill Belichick's long-time tenure recently ended on Jan. 7 and the Patriots hired Jerod Mayo as the successor for the Hall-of-Fame coach.
Following Belichick's departure, offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien may be out in New England. Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal reported on Tuesday there may be someone new calling the shots.
"The sense I get about the offensive coordinator spot is that a new voice will be running the show,” Giardi wrote in a story. "He (O'Brien) is considered a Belichick loyalist and may want to move on with the man who — in part — helped bring him back, or at least green-lit the return."
A new report indicates the Patriots could have a "new voice" running their offense with Bill O'Brien leaving. https://t.co/vIAv2tBd3n
— NESN (@NESN) January 17, 2024
New England's offense under the 54-year-old coach wasn't productive at all in 2023. The Patriots were 30th in the NFL in total offense (276.2), 28th in passing offense (180.5), and 26th in rushing offense (95.7). Additionally, they were tied for last in the league with just 13.9 points per game. New England scored 17 or fewer points in 12 games this past season.
The Patriots only managed to score 27 total touchdowns, which was the third-fewest in the league.
To add more fuel to the fire, Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe struggled mightly under O'Brien's watch. They combined to throw for 3,392 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, and 21 interceptions.
Even though nothing is official or imminent, O'Brien and the Patriots may be headed toward a split.
Mayo is now in charge in Foxborough and could be looking to have a new voice to run offensive meetings.
More Patriots news and analysis:
feed