Patriots Mayo Clarifies Wolf Call to ‘Weaponize’ Offense
While the collective eyes of the New England Patriots fanbase will be on the quarterback position heading into the upcoming NFL Draft, the team’s front office will be focused on a much-needed upgrade on offense.
In short, the Pats seem intent on adding some playmakers to help a potentially new franchise quarterback.
But, what exactly will it take to fortify one of the NFL’s most moldered scoring units?
Less than 24 hours from Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf decreeing a “weaponizing” of the offense, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo met with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine to provide some clarification on his colleague’s proclamation.
“It’s putting people on the offensive side of the ball that the defense has to prepare for.” Mayo said during an impromptu Wednesday morning media meet at Lucas Oil Stadium. “Whether that’s double-teaming or anything like that … that’s what he means by that.”
New England Patriots Head Coach Jerod Mayo
Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire
Wolf’s intent to enhance the team’s scoring talent should hardly come as a surprise. Despite former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s efforts to repair a perceivably damaged unit from 2022, New England’s scoring unit regressed even further in 2023. The Patriots finished the season ranked No. 32 in scoring offense, averaging 13.9 points per game, while managing only 27 touchdowns.
In that vein, Wolf began to lay the foundation of New England’s objective in crafting a versatile, and functioning offense this season.
“I think the main thing is just getting players that fit our culture, getting players that want to do right, want to do the extra [work],” Wolf explained on Tuesday. “But in terms of just physical skills, we need to weaponize the offense. We need to be faster and more explosive on defense,” Wolf said. “Height, weight, speed, playmaking ability, there will definitely be an emphasis on those things.”
After a 4-13 season in which the Patriots missed the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons, New England will need to put their estimated $86.9 million in available salary cap space to good use. The Pats will no longer rely on the reputations of franchise legends Tom Brady or Bill Belichick to lure potential free agents. Instead, they will be marketing themselves based on culture and capital. As such, they will face a tall task in filling the numerous deficits on their roster — especially at the offensive skill positions.
While running back Rhamondre Stevenson has earned a reputation as one of the NFL’s toughest and most-versatily runners, New England is largely devoid of players requiring significant attention from their opponent’s gameplan. Though a high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 13 would sideline him for the remainder of the season, Stevenson finished the season with 619 yards and four touchdowns, while averaging four yards per attempt. He was also a notable contributor in the passing game, catching 38 passes for 238 yards. Veteran Ezekiel Elliott assumed the lead back duties in Stevenson’s absence and performed well, leading the team in both rushing yards (642) and receptions (51).
Despite the promise of proficient two-tight-end sets, the Pats underperformed for the second straight season. Team captain, and soon-to-be free agent, Hunter Henry led the positional group with 42 catches for 419 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns. Gesicki, who joined the Pats on a one-year deal during the preseason free-agency period, fell short of expectations, logging only 29 catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
Still, the call for “weaponization” falls on the shoulders of the receivers group. Injuries clearly took their toll on the Patriots pass-catchers room last season. Veterans Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster both suffered season-ending injuries, with Bourne leading the team in 37 catches for 406 yards with four touchdowns at the time of his departure.
Still, New England’s breakout star at the position was rookie DeMario Douglas. The Liberty product’s speed and route-running prowess helped him lead the team with 561 receiving yards. Though veteran DeVante Parker occasionally demonstrated solid contested catch-ability, he struggled to remain consistent, Speedsters Jalen Reagor and Tyquan Thornton have shown flashes of their prowess, but will require greater experience to reach their full potential. Accordingly, New England should be searching for additional help at the position, primarily from a receiver who can consistently separate.
Ultimately, “weaponization” appears to be the name of the game for the Patriots this season. For the sake of their fan base, the new regime does not seem willing to accept more of the same.
