This detail about Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia highlights the Patriots’ dysfunction
Matt Patricia was a disaster as the New England Patriots’ offensive play-caller. Incredibly, it could’ve been even worse.
As detailed in a recent report on the Patriots’ problems in the Boston Herald, Belichick and Patricia’s relationship was at the center of the resulting dysfunction on the coaching staff. Those issues, among others, ultimately led to the Pats parting ways with Belichick after 24 seasons and unparalleled championship success.
The post-Tom Brady Patriots, however, have been a far cry from even legitimate contention in the AFC, let alone a dynasty. And Belichick’s decision to let Patricia run the offense in 2022 stands as one of his worst, most damaging decisions.
And incredibly, it could’ve been even worse. Patricia could have stayed for another season, according to the Herald report by Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed:
A year ago, such disaster caused Kraft to push for coaching changes, which led to the re-hiring of ex-Patriots assistant Bill O’Brien last January. Belichick, according to sources, preferred to keep Patricia and grow together. Instead, Belichick relented, and O’Brien returned as offensive coordinator.
Statistically, the Patriots offense actually performed better under Patricia and Joe Judge than they did under O’Brien in 2023. But at this point, it’s clear that the problems on the offense went beyond simply swapping out Patricia for O’Brien.
The dysfunction on the coaching staff only grew after Belichick was forced to exile his friend and bring in O’Brien to run the offense, according to the Herald:
According to league sources, some assistants came to believe O’Brien wanted to clean house and build his own offensive staff upon arriving in January, but Belichick denied him. … To onlookers, a clear hierarchy developed with O’Brien and his assistants: there was [tight ends coach Will] Lawing and assistant quarterbacks coach Evan Rothstein, then everyone else. … “The staff dynamic is completely f—ed,” a team source said.
O’Brien is objectively a better, more experienced offensive coordinator than Patricia ever was or ever will be. So, ostensibly, the Patriots’ offensive calamity stemmed from a lack of talent on the roster and general dysfunction on the coaching staff.
And the fact that Belichick actually wanted to stick with Patricia highlights how bad it had gotten.
Now, Patricia is under quite the microscope after the Eagles’ late-season problems on defense, while Belichick is looking for his next head coaching job. Get all the latest on Belichick in our tracker below.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
Bill Belichick Tracker: Familiar faces joining Bill in Atlanta?
Bill Belichick is out as Patriots head coach. The question now is, where does he go next?
We’ll have all the news & rumors covered every step of the way with our official Bill Belichick Tracker at 985TheSportsHub.com. Belichick is certain to have a multitude of suitors around the NFL, and there’s already been plenty of reporting from top NFL insiders on where Belichick might land next.
The only team to fill their head coaching vacancy so far is, ironically, the Patriots, who have named Jerod Mayo their next guy. But Belichick’s next stop is sure to be one of the biggest subjects of rumors throughout the NFL off-season, even among Patriots fans. Until he actually joins a new team, we’ll all be on “Belichick Watch.”
Read below for the latest news & rumors surrounding Belichick and his next team in the tracker below.
Bill Belichick Tracker: The Latest News & Rumors
Get the latest Bill Belichick rumors at our official tracker. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Familiar Faces On Belichick’s Staff?
In perhaps the least surprising news in recorded history, Mark Maske of the Washington Post has named a few potential names for Bill Belichick’s coaching staff, should he join the Atlanta Falcons. Would anyone be shocked if Matt Patricia, Josh McDaniels, or Joe Judge joined Belichick in Atlanta? Of course they wouldn’t.
READ MORE: This detail about Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia highlights the Patriots’ dysfunction
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Senior football advisor and offensive line coach Matt Patricia (L) and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots walk onto the field for a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Belichick The “Top Candidate” In Atlanta
No surprise here, but Dianna Russini of The Athletic is reporting Bill Belichick as the Atlanta Falcons’ “top candidate” to become their next head coach. Falcons owner Arthur Blank flew his private jet to New England to bring Belichick to Atlanta for more meetings, after the pair met privately for dinner.
Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on prior to Super Bowl LIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
