The New England Patriots have announced their team captains for the 2023 season.
Headlining the list, of course, is third-year starting quarterback Mac Jones. This is his second straight year as a team captain, after having to earn his keep as a rookie in 2021.
But the team also had a potential open spot created by the retired Devin McCourty among the captains, so there was always likely to be at least one new face. For 2023, there are two new faces.
Only Captains in the Building. pic.twitter.com/l55XwjlWsA
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 8, 2023
The Pats announced their 2023 captains on X Friday morning, in the style of the hit Hulu series “Only Murders In The Building.” After having five captains for the first two seasons of Mac Jones’ career, they now have six, including the QB.
Returning captains that are not the least bit surprising are special teams cornerstone Matthew Slater, center David Andrews, and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. But there are two new additions, one on each side of the ball.
Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) looks to pass against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
On offense, the newest captain is tight end Hunter Henry. A former Charger who never played a full season until he came to New England, Henry is poised to score his share of touchdowns as one of the team’s top red zone threats under new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
As for the newest defensive captain, the 1-for-1 replacement for Devin McCourty is veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. Wise has always been one of the hardest-working Patriots since his rookie season in 2017, consistently staying late after practice for extra work. It’s not surprising that head coach Bill Belichick finally rewarded Wise with captain status.
Here’s a quick, closer look at each of the Patriots’ team captains for 2023…
QB Mac Jones
GREEN BAY, WI: Mac Jones of the New England Patriots calls out a play during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Aug. 19, 2023. (John Fisher/Getty Images)
It’s a massive year for Jones, his third in the NFL and technically with the best collection of talent and coaching around him. It’s not a perfect roster by any means, but it’s set up pretty well for Jones to prove how good he could be for the Patriots going forward.
TE Hunter Henry
Aug. 10, 2023; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
First season as a captain for Henry, and his third overall with the Patriots. Henry is looking to reclaim his production from the 2021 season, Jones’ rookie year, when the pair connected for nine touchdowns.
ST Matthew Slater
Aug. 2, 2023; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater heads to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
This is now 13 straight seasons for Slater, the Patriots’ elder statesman. He is poised to have yet another All-Pro-caliber season in special teams coverage, especially now that he’s back to working closely with Joe Judge, and that he has high-end specialists like Chris Board alongside him.
LB Ja’Whaun Bentley
Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, AZ: New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Bentley has been a Patriots team captain for three of the past four seasons. With McCourty gone, Bentley appears to be the new “quarterback of the defense” in New England, and has steadily improved every season since entering the league in 2018.
DE Deatrich Wise Jr.
FOXBOROUGH, MA: Deatrich Wise Jr. of the New England Patriots reacts after a defensive stop against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 1, 2023. (Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Wise has spent his entire six-year career with the Patriots after being drafted in the fourth round out of Arkansas in 2017. He’s another one who continues to get a little better every year, and he’s even reinvented his game lately. Great to see his hard work rewarded.
C David Andrews
Dec. 6, 2020; Inglewood, CA: New England Patriots center David Andrews points to the Los Angeles Chargers defense during a game at SoFi Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
A mainstay of the Patriots’ captaincy, Andrews was an obvious pick to remain in his post. It’s now seven straight seasons for the Patriots center, who emerged as a starter late in the 2015 season after coming in as an undrafted rookie out of Georgia. The two-time Super Bowl champion has never looked back.
