For better or worse, the New England Patriots are reportedly turning over the offensive play-calling duties to former longtime defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news early Sunday.
“One of the biggest mysteries this offseason was who’s going to be the Patriots play-caller after Josh McDaniels left to be the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders,” said Rapoport. “My understanding, Matt Patricia, the senior football advisor—also coaching the offensive line—is expected to be the Patriots’ offensive play-calller, which maybe shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. He did it a lot in practice, did it in the scrimmages, but he is expected to take over with a heavy hand from Bill Belichick.”
From @NFLGameDay: The #Patriots offensive play-caller is expected to be senior football advisor Matt Patricia, with heavy influence from coach Bill Belichick, sources say. … Meanwhile, the #AZCardinals are not likely to have JJ Watt (calf), but TE Zach Ertz (calf) should play. pic.twitter.com/GtRrSxIXrz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2022
Patricia recently received a vote of confidence from Patriots legend Vince Wilfork, who reminded everyone the longtime defensive play-caller was working on the offensive side of the ball when he first arrived in New England.
“I’ve known Matty P for being an offensive guy from day one when I was there, when I was drafted,” Wilfork said during an appearance on NBC Sports Boston’s “The Gameplan.”
The rest of the world will know as well with the Patriots at South Beach for a divisional tilt with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Things haven’t looked great on the offensive side of the ball throughout the preseason, and many are already hitting the panic alarm on a team that hasn’t looked like an AFC East contender, much less a playoff contender. But so much could change if Patricia and company gets the job done in Miami.
