Can Bill O'Brien Save Patriots' Mac Jones? NFL Insider Answers Key Question
To say the New England Patriots offense was disappointing last season is an understatement.
Under former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels the year prior the Patriots ranked sixth in points and eighth in rushing yards, all under rookie Pro Bowl quarterback Mac Jones. But Jones' second season witnessed a slump with Matt Patricia - a longtime defensive coordinator - taking over New England's play-calling duties.
Jones regressed in nearly every statistical category, as New England limped to an 8-9 mark and failed to miss the playoffs for the second time in three years.
But with Patricia heading to the Philadelphia Eagles the Patriots brought in Bill O'Brien, a man with a proven track record of success running New England's offense.
NFL Insider Dan Graziano recently addressed the “biggest” quarterback questions for all 32 teams entering this season. As expected, the Patriots' mystery is how Jones will respond under O'Brien - his third play-caller in just as many seasons.
"This offseason, Belichick brought back O’Brien, who was the Pats’ OC in 2011, and he’ll be charged with getting Jones back on track," Graziano wrote. "The Patriots still don’t appear to have surrounded Jones with a very inspiring group of receivers, but the hope is O’Brien’s experience on the offensive side of the ball will set things right and allow Jones to continue to develop."
The Patriots signed wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki in free agency, while also drafting LSU wideout Kayshon Boutte in the sixth round in hopes of surrounding Jones with more playmakers.
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