Bill O'Brien Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Potential candidates for Patriots offensive coordinator role

By Pierce Downey | Last updated 1/17/23

In 2022, New England's offense was poor, ranking 17th in points (21.4) and 26th in yards (314.6) per game . Blame focused on playcaller Matt Patricia, a longtime defensive coordinator for the Patriots and failed Detroit Lions head coach.

Patricia returned to the Patriots in a surprise reunion last year. Belichick's decision to place him as the lead playcaller baffled many because Patricia had little experience on offense.

In a cryptic tweak late last week, New England announced it had an opening at offensive coordinator -- news rightly celebrated throughout Patriots Nation.

Patriots to extend Jerod Mayo; Will begin interviewing for an offensive coordinator: https://t.co/OxGQysZfrF
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 13, 2023

Bill O'Brien, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Alabama, is the top candidate for the role, per longtime Patriots insider Tom Curran. O'Brien's two-year deal under Nick Saban has expired, and there have been no talks about extending his contract, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

O'Brien served on New England's offensive coaching staff from 2007-2011, the final year as offensive coordinator. He would bring much-needed insight as well as a fresh mind to the organization.

Another option is Frank Reich.

The former NFL QB played for the Bills, Panthers, Jets and Lions. Reich was an offensive coordinator with the Chargers and won a Super Bowl as offensive coordinator with the Eagles before being hired as Indianapolis HC in 2018. In early November, the Colts fired Reich after a 3-5-1 start.

As a former QB, Reich could rescue QB Mac Jones, who slumped after a solid rookie season. Reich is also interviewing for a head-coaching role, per Rapoport.

The #Panthers are interviewing former #Colts HC Frank Reich for their vacant head coaching job today, source said. He spent a year as a player in Carolina and has ties to the area.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2023

Browns receivers coach and passing coordinator Chad O'Shea may also be an option.

O'Shea spent nine seasons as New England receivers coach under Belichick (2009-15) and served briefly as Dolphins offensive coordinator. However, he was fired -- bizarrely -- after just one season because he "tried to run plays that were used in New England" (h/t New York Post).

New England could also look internally. Patriots tight ends coach Nick Caley, who has spent the past seven seasons with New England, is respected within the organization, per NFL Network's Mike Giardi.

There were those inside the building in Foxboro who believed Caley should have been running the offense this past year (as I reported last winter/spring). He's well-respected. https://t.co/MCy75WCliw
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 14, 2023

Whoever gets tabbed will be a significant upgrade over Patricia.

More must-reads: