Putrid Patriots: Lack of Playmakers Hurting Offensive Coordinator Hire?
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has several questions to answer if he hopes to jumpstart an offense that scored the fewest points in the NFL this season.
The first solution is finding an offensive coordinator - but according to The Athletic, Mayo could struggle to find a candidate interested in taking the position.
"I’ve spoken to (offensive coordinator) candidates in this cycle, and the Patriots job is not highly coveted," The Athletic said Tuesday on the Pats Interference Podcast. "It’s just not."
But why?
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and head coach Jerod Mayo.
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The Patriots boast the No. 3 overall pick in April's NFL Draft and a ton of room under the salary cap to pursue free agents, but have little else working in their favor.
At quarterback, the trio of Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke leaves much to be desired. No player on the team eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
Apart from running back Rhamondre Stevenson and receivers Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas, New England's weaponry is lackluster.
Toss in the question marks at other spots on the coaching staff, and the Patriots' offensive coordinator gig isn't turning many heads around the league.
"There’s so much roster turnover," The Athletic said. "There’s still uncertainty with the other jobs (on the staff). They don’t have a quarterback to sell anyone on. There aren’t any offensive playmakers that you’re going to be comfortable with.
"You need a lot more than (Bourne and Stevenson) to sell people."
The Patriots have interviewed a pair of Los Angeles Rams assistant coaches in quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator Zac Robinson and tight ends coach Nick Caley.
The Athletic added New England could also pursue a reunion with familiar friend Josh McDaniels, who was expected to follow Bill Belichick if he landed the Atlanta Falcons' head coaching job. That plan, however, fell through when Atlanta opted for Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
With all but two head coaching vacancies filled - the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks - offensive coordinators are likely to start flying off the board.
The Patriots will likely be better off acting sooner rather than later ... but as things stand, they may have no choice but to wait.
