New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has seen the majority of the team’s offensive staff — and his support system — depart for Las Vegas.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels took the Raiders’ vacancy at head coach. And McDaniels brought the following assistants with him: receivers coach Mick Lombardi, assistant quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. New England looks diminished in terms of coaching talent on the offensive side of the ball — especially considering running backs coach Ivan Fears is expected to retire.
So … now what?
Well, the Patriots added former Giants coach Joe Judge, who is a former receivers coach and special teams coordinator. He’s rejoining the team as an offensive coaching assistant.
“I know he’s gonna be a part of our group and we’re excited,” Jones said of Judge during an interview with Phil Perry for Nex Pats Podcast last week. “I know he has a lot of experience with our system and all that, so I’m looking forward to meeting him. I talked to him a little bit in the practices and training camp (in 2021). I don’t really know him very well personally or anything, but I’m sure we’re gonna talk and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Judge’s offense in New York struggled, largely due to issues from Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who hasn’t panned out since the team drafted him in the first round in 2019. New England’s success in 2022 will rely upon the team’s ability to get the most out of Jones, who had a solid rookie season but will need to be substantially better if the Patriots are to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
