We are accustomed to quarterback competitions, but an open coordinator battle in camp to lead the offense is unique.
That’s what’s happening with Bill Belichick’s Patriots, where former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels departed to be head coach of the Raiders, and New England does not have a stated successor yet. Reports indicate the two leaders in the competition are former NFL head coaches, Joe Judge and Matt Patricia.
ESPN’s Patriots reporter Mike Reiss appeared on “NFL Live” on Wednesday and provided intel on what’s happening.
“No one has seen anything, so you have to go by what you’re told. And here’s something that was relayed to me — that if you were on the field for these [OTA] sessions and you just closed your eyes and listened, you would know who the leading presence is for the offense among the coaches. The voices of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge standing above everyone else. They are leading this offense,” Reiss said.
Reiss pegged Patricia as the favorite to call plays for quarterback Mac Jones. Patricia was previously New England’s defensive coordinator but was a disaster as head coach of the Lions, where he went 13-29-1 in his tenure.
“Now, Bill Belichick hasn’t said who is gonna call the plays, but it will most likely be one of those two,” Reiss continued. “And, Laura [Rutledge], I’ve got the No. 2 pencil, I’m gonna put it in the ear. Because I’m told don’t be surprised if it’s Matt Patricia — who always has that No. 2 pencil in the ear.”
USA Today’s Henry McKenna reported that he’s heard the same, adding that it “may come down to a competition of sorts during training camp” between the two for the distinction.
Judge previously coached special teams for the Patriots. He was fired by the Giants this offseason after the team went 10-23 in his two seasons as head coach.