Belichick expressed his unhappiness with the outcomes after 2022, declaring the Patriots will “consider every little thing” within the offseason upon asserting his return for his twenty fourth season as head coach. By including that the Patriots will not be “resting on their previous laurels” in 2023 and that the crew “will play the most effective participant” at quarterback all through the offseason, huge modifications gave the impression to be brewing in New England.
The largest change was the hiring of Invoice O’Brien as the brand new offensive coordinator, and it remained that means following the 2023 NFL Draft. O’Brien, too, has been selling competitors upon his enterprise, saying Jones and the Patriots offense may have a “clear slate” forward of this upcoming season. The Patriots OC had nothing however good issues to say about Jones and second-year QB Bailey Zappe.
“The quarterback room has been actually good,” O’Brien mentioned Friday. “Mac Jones has labored actually, actually onerous this offseason. Been right here each day. We simply began working [in the voluntary offseason program] two weeks [ago] and that is been good. A whole lot of good conferences. A whole lot of good give-and-take.
“Bailey Zappe, similar factor. Actually working very onerous. Good guys that care concerning the crew, care about profitable, and doing what’s greatest for the crew, which has all the time been the mantra. It has been enjoyable to work with them.”
The Patriots added operating again James Robinson, broad receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight finish Mike Gesicki within the offseason, which seemingly offset the free-agent departures of RB Damien Harris, WR Jakobi Meyers and TE Jonnu Smith. The crew additionally signed QB Hint McSorley for depth.
New England used its first three picks within the 2023 NFL Draft on protection, choosing standout Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the No.17 general choose. Georgia Tech move rusher Keion White and Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu adopted in rounds two and three, respectively.
Belichick indicated that wasn’t essentially the plan coming into the draft.
“It simply labored out that means … there are loads of alternative ways to construct a crew,” Belichick mentioned. “That is one a part of it. Free company was a part of it [and we] did not signal loads of defensive gamers in free company. Many of the signings have been on offense.”
Jones’ standing in New England shall be seen beneath a microscope till impending outcomes on the sector unfold. At this level, the Patriots look like comfy with the QB room headed into 2023 following this 12 months’s spherical of free company and drafting.
