The matter of New England’s offensive play caller has been a storyline throughout the offseason, as the team faced the necessary task of replacing Josh McDaniels. Today’s season opener represented a final window into the team’s regular season plans to handle the role. 
As noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Matt Patricia is the coach tasked with handling offensive coordinator duties (video link). The longtime Patriots’ defensive coordinator began his time with the team as an offensive assistant in 2004, working with the offensive line the following year. That position group was listed in his new job title this season, along with that of senior football advisor.
The ex-Lions head coach was considered the early favorite to call plays, but he shared those responsibilities with quarterbacks coach Joe Judge during New England’s first preseason contest. Patricia exclusively guided the offense beyond that, however, making today’s new little surprise.
As Rapoport notes, however, head coach Bill Belichick is expected to have a “heavy hand” in the offense as well. That would be in line with the belief expressed by many around the league last month that Belichick will eventually take on the OC role himself. New England enters the season with significant question marks at both tackle spots, and few known commodities in its pass-catching corps as quarterback Mac Jones looks to make a Year 2 jump.
As of this writing, the Patriots trail the Dolphins 17-0 and have totaled 210 yards of offense, so Patricia’s performance will remain under significant scrutiny.
What a clown show
That worked out so great.
I’m so glad we now have the answer. Been on pins and needles.
This has become a clown show. We at least know now Brady was the straw that stirred that drink.
Not necessarily. As long as Brady was with New England, the Patriots were in win-now mode because they were competitive every year. Now the entire roster is being rebuilt, with loads of free agents seemingly auditioning for long term spots (I say this because of the numerous redundancies in the positions that the Pats hired).
The Patriots right now are not near contention, and QB is not the main issue holding them back. I just don’t know if Belichick’s approach that worked years ago with Brady and the old players will work again with today’s crowd, and without a superstar like Brady to carry it along in the locker room.
I grew up a Bledsoe fan. If the Patriots never win anothet game I’ll be ok.
Well, that clearly didn’t work.
It just seems like Belichick is using this season as a test drive when he should be trying to build off Jones’ success and get full value for his free agent moves when they’re still new.
I suppose he figures training another trustworthy, long term successor to Josh McDaniels is worth more than an individual player or the roster as a whole. The Patriots overall will suffer, but the coaches will end up better-or so Belichick may be thinking.
Patriots continue to have problems winning in Miami.