It seems just about everybody on the New England Patriots is thrilled to have a new offensive coordinator.
In their first year after replacing longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the Patriots had a rough offensive season in 2022. As Matt Patricia and Joe Judge directed the offense, Mac Jones declined from his first season, and the team missed the playoffs.
After the season, New England brought back Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator after he spent the past two years at Alabama and previously replaced McDaniels with the Patriots back in 2010.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was asked about how different things have been with O’Brien and he did not mince a single word in his response.
“Bill’s familiar with what he’s doing, so it feels good,” Bourne told reporters Friday when asked about offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien after the team’s OTA session at Gillette Stadium. “You can tell he knows what he’s doing in all areas of the offense — receiver, linemen, running back. He knows offense a lot, so it feels good.
“He’s doing well. He knows how to engage with all of us, I feel like,” Bourne added in reference to O’Brien. “He knows our traits right now and he knows where to put us, so it’s been good. We’re still learning each other as a group, but he’s doing well. You can tell he knows what he’s doing.”
New England has yet to reach training camp, but the team seems excited heading into the 2023 season.
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While Judge remains with the team, Patricia left New England to take a defensive assistant role with the Eagles. It should be noted that Patricia worked with the offense for the first time in his career last season, so it was clear why he struggled to get the job done.
Moving forward, O’Brien gives the Patriots a more experienced offensive play-caller who has experience, and who also once worked with Tom Brady.
Another aspect that could help the Patriots’ offense this season is the possible signing of free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who reportedly will visit the team next week.
