Here is your New England Patriots Season Preview with everything you need to know ahead of the 2023 season
New England Patriots Season Preview
Bill Belichick has only had three losing seasons since he took over in New England. Two of those have come since 2019, the other was Belichick’s first season as Patriots head coach way back in 2000. In 2020 they used four different quarterbacks (they used three different ones in 2022, but that wasn’t the biggest problem) last season’s issue, however, was caused by coaching rather than players.
The Patriots went into the 2022 season without naming an actual offensive coordinator, instead Belichick said that Joe Judge and Matt Patricia would share the duties. Neither of those had ever been an offensive coordinator, so it went as poorly as you’d expect. It was revealed by NBC Sports Boston that Belichick even jumped in to call some play on offence and the whole thing looked just as chaotic as that sounds. Unsurprisingly they recruited an experienced offensive coordinator in the shape of Bill O’Brien.
O’Brien’s first offensive coordinator job was in 2001 and he worked for the Patriots between 2007 and 2011. His last stint as offensive coordinator in 2011 saw the Patriots ranked 2nd in total yards and 3rd for scoring. That season would end with a Super Bowl defeat by the Giants. Under O’Brien the Texans
The Patriots also had to deal with a plethora of injuries in 2022. In all 16 players spent time on IR and their starting quarterback missed three games.
Nine free agents arrived in Foxboro during the offseason, and they added another 12 newbies in the draft. They signed three undrafted free agents too, including 6”6’ tight end Johnny Lumpkin who tips the scales at 268lbs.
2023 Schedule
- September 10th 9:25 pm (BST) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- September 18th 1:20 am vs. Miami Dolphins
- September 24th 6:00 pm @ New York Jets
- October 1st 9:25 pm @ Dallas Cowboys
- October 8th 6:00 pm vs. New Orlean Saints
- October 15th 9:05 pm @ Las Vegas Raiders
- October 22nd 6:00 pm vs. Buffalo Bills
- October 29th 6:00 pm @ Miami Dolphins
- November 5th 5:00 pm (GMT) vs. Washington Commanders
- November 12th 1:30 pm Indianapolis Colts @ Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt
- November 19th Bye Week
- November 26th 6:00 pm @ New York Jets
- December 3rd 6:00 pm vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- December 8th 1:15 am @ Pittsburgh Steelers
- December 19th 1:15 am vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- December 25th 1:15 am @ Denver Broncos
- December 31st 6:00 pm @ Buffalo Bills
- January 6th/7th TBC vs. New York Jets
Coaching Staff
General Manager: Bill Belichick
Head Coach: Bill Belichick
Offensive Coordinator: Bill O’Brien
Defensive Coordinator: Jerod Mayo/ Steve Belichick
Special Teams Coordinator: Cameron Achord
Players In
Via Trade
None
Free Agents
WR – JuJu Smith-Schuster
T – Calvin Anderson
LB – Chris Board
T – Riley Reiff
TE – Mike Gesicki
RB – James Robinson
TE – Anthony Firkser
QB – Trace McSorley
P – Corliss Waitman
Draft Picks
- Round 1. Pick 17 – CB Christian Gonzalez
- Round 2. Pick 46 – DE Keion White
- Round 3. Pick 76 – LB/DB Marte Mapu
- Round 4. Pick 107 – C Jake Andrews
- Round 4. Pick 112 – K Chad Ryland
- Round 4. Pick 117 – G Sidy Sow
- Round 5. Pick 144 – G Atonio Mafi
- Round 6. Pick 187 – WR Kayshon Boutte
- Round 6. Pick 192 – P Bryce Baringer
- Round 6. Pick 210 – WR Demario Douglas
- Round 6. Pick 214 – CB Ameer Speed
- Round 7. Pick 245 – CB Isaiah Bolden
Players Out
WR – Jakobi Meyers
CB – Joejuan Williams
T – Isaiah Wynn
QB – Brian Hoyer
RB – Damien Harris
WR – Nelson Agholor
DT – Carl Davis
RT – Marcus Cannon
K – Quinn Nordin
TE – Jonnu Smith
FS – Devin McCourty (Rtd.)
Projected starters
Offence
QB: Mac Jones
RB: Rhamondre Stevenson
WR: Kendrick Bourne & DeVante Parker & JuJu Smith-Schuster
TE: Hunter Henry
LT: Trent Brown
LG: Cole Strange
C: David Andrews
RG: Mike Onwenu
RT: Riley Reiff
Defence
DE: Deatrich Wise Jr.
DT: Lawrence Guy Sr.
NT: Davon Godchaux
LB: Matt Judon & Ja’Whan Bentley & Jahlani Tavai
CB: Christian Gonzalez & Jack Jones & Jonathan Jones
S: Kyle Duggar & Adrian Phillips
The 2023 Patriots roster is a lot deeper than the 2022 version. The infusion of young talent should revitalise the veteran players who battled through last year’s mess. Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley recently said “obviously, I’m going to say this about all our rookies, right now, they’re smart. All of them are smart”, so he’s already looking forward to taking the field with the new lineup.
2023 Star Player
Matt Judon – The 30-year-old was their most consistent performer last season and he’s made 28 sacks since he arrived in New England. That was only two seasons ago, if he continues to progress at his current rate, he’ll get close to 20 sacks in 2023. With all the defensive minded coaches and the smart rookies in Foxboro Judon is in prime position to star again.
2023 Breakout player
Christian Gonzalez – It’s always a gamble to pin a team’s hopes on a rookie but Christian Gonzalez should be this season’s Sauce Gardner. He’s got all the physical attributes to be a great defender in the NFL and he’s smart. With Kyle Dugger and Jonathon Jones around him he could make a lot of interceptions.
Patriots Season Preview Expectations
The AFC East is going to be one of the hardest fought in the NFL this season. With the Bills Mafia and Tu-Anon insisting their guys are the best in the league and Aaron Rodgers landing in New York fresh from a darkness retreat nobody is talking about New England. But you’d have to be a brave man to count out a coach who has 17 winning seasons since 2000. Especially when that coach has added a coach who won four AFC South titles to his staff.
Feature Image: USA Today