DeVante Parker and Mac Jones of the New England Patriots celebrate after completing a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Jan. 8, 2023. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots’ leadership structure is changing after the retirement of longtime defensive captain Devin McCourty. Some players will simply add to their already-big roles, while others should take a real step forward as leaders.
Here’s who we’re looking at for 2023…
QB Mac Jones
Quarterback Mac Jones of the New England Patriots practices during 2023 mandatory minicamp in Foxboro. (Matt Dolloff/98.5 The Sports Hub)
An obvious one to start us off, but it’s more important for Mac Jones than it would be for most quarterbacks in the NFL entering 2023. Quarterback is inherently a major leadership position, and Mac needs to demonstrate more qualities that the great leaders at the position have shown.
Mainly, Jones needs to control his emotions better on the field. He got visibly frustrated far too often during an admittedly tough situation in 2022, and it ostensibly bled into his play. It’s important for Jones to be more of a calming, confident presence. Because if the quarterback is out of sorts, the rest of the offense isn’t far behind.
Fortunately, Jones is now working closely with an established NFL offensive mind in new coordinator Bill O’Brien. And while his relationship with Bill Belichick doesn’t seem particularly sunny at the moment, the head coach seems relatively satisfied with his quarterback’s off-season work.
Head coach Bill Belichick and Mac Jones of the New England Patriots look on during pregame at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 11, 2022. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“I think Mac works hard every day,” Belichick said during OTAs in late May. “He puts in a lot of time both in the weight room, in the classroom, works hard on the field. His work ethic is really good, and hasn’t changed.”
Mac’s work ethic has never been in question, nor has his football acumen. The big question for him is, and has been, his mental and emotional toughness. This is the year he needs to show big improvement in those areas.
WR DeVante Parker
New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Parker shot up the list of leadership candidates after signing a three-year extension with the Patriots late last month. The deal is a glorified payday, heavy on incentives and designed to clear cap space for 2023 more than anything.
But Parker has a chance to be rewarded for just showing up and letting his performance on the field do the talking. Parker is a man of few words who would be more of a “lead by example” type, but if he can stay healthy and do his job, he’ll set the kind of example the Pats are looking for.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Stevenson doesn’t play the most important position on the field, but he’s one of the Patriots’ few true impact players on either side of the ball, and he’s another who can set a great example just by playing. His presence and his big playmaking in critical moments would help the offense gain confidence.
LB Ja’Whaun Bentley
New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Bentley is already established as one of the team’s defensive leaders, and now he’s set to rule the roost with McCourty gone. He should be considered a candidate to take on a more vocal presence, but he will most certainly become the No. 1 “coach on the field” for the defense, if he wasn’t already.
OG Cole Strange
New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Strange doesn’t necessarily need to become the kind of leader that teammate David Andrews has become over the years. But this is a first-round pick entering his second season, which the team is hoping will be a big leap for him. That mainly includes playing better on the field, and Strange can establish himself more on the hierarchy of the team by simply being one of their best guys.
S Kyle Dugger
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
Dugger is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has a chance for a nice payday on his next deal. If that’s to come with the Patriots, Dugger may need to prove himself as the new leader of the secondary. Guys at other positions can fill the McCourty void in different ways, but specifically for the safeties, we’re looking for Dugger to become “that guy” more in 2023.
CB Jonathan Jones
New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Realistically, the guy to really carry the torch from McCourty is Jonathan Jones, who is now the longest tenured defensive back on the Patriots. He sets a fine example with his versatility, work ethic, and competitiveness. It wouldn’t be shocking if he were the one to replace McCourty on the captains list.
C David Andrews
New England Patriots center David Andrews (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Andrews is already perhaps the top leader on the team, so he doesn’t need to change much. But one area where he could make up for the loss of McCourty is in his fiery pregame speeches and other vocal commands. Those will be missed, and Andrews seems like a candidate to take over.
S Adrian Phillips
New England Patriots safety Adrian Phillips (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Phillips is a veteran in the room, and does his job and does it with class, like a classic Kraft-ian Patriot. His mere status as a vet in his 10th season should enable him to grow more as a locker room voice.
DT Davon Godchaux
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray scrambles away from New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux during a game at State Farm Stadium. (Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports)
Belichick has referred to Godchaux as one of the best defensive linemen in the league, he’s their highest-paid guy at his position, and Lawrence Guy could be on his way out. So it could be on Godchaux to take on more of a leadership role on the D-line, especially with young talents like Christian Barmore and Keion White who could follow his example.
LB Matthew Judon
New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
This may surprise you, but despite his larger-than-life personality, Matthew Judon considers himself more of a lead-by-example type within the team. He has deferred to Bentley as the true leader of the defense. But if anyone could be a natural at becoming more vocal and commanding in the locker room, it’s No. 9 in the red sleeves.
LB Josh Uche
New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
Like Dugger, Uche is also entering a contract year, and because of the position he plays, he’s in line to earn himself a LOT of money. But that aside, Uche has carried himself the way Belichick likes to see with his players. He’s always committed himself to getting better and it’s really starting to pay off. If he can add leadership qualities to that, he’d become an extremely valuable piece for whoever’s willing to pay him.
