Our 2022 NFL Preview rolls on to the Northeast where the Patriots look to keep building upon the foundation laid during what was viewed by many as an overachieving campaign. After spending a war chest of money in free agency and finding a franchise Quarterback in the NFL Draft, (Head Coach) Bill Belichick is proving to everyone that he hasn’t lost his touch in rebuilding on the fly, guiding New England back to the playoffs after a brief hiatus. However, after some high-profile departures, both on the field and in the booth, what can we expect from the Pats this Fall? Let’s find out what’s happening in Foxborough, folks…
In Mac We Trust
After getting a taste of life without Tom Brady in 2020 (I.E., their first losing season since 2000), the Patriots went about finding a true successor to the throne of TB12 during the 2022 NFL Draft, eventually landing (Sophomore Quarterback) Mac Jones (pictured) with the fifteenth overall pick. From the word go, it was evident that the Alabama product would have little issues translating to the professional level, with his intelligence, anticipation, mechanics, and footwork making him a natural fit within a system that places an emphasis on such traits to succeed. Starting all seventeen games, Jones completed an efficient 67.6% of his attempts for 3,801 yards on 6.48 net yards per attempt, with twenty-two touchdowns opposed to thirteen interceptions and a QBR of 50.9, all the while leading the Pats to a 10-7 record and a trip to the playoffs. Granted, that 47-17 thumping at the hands of (division rival) Buffalo was rather rough for the rookie (24-of-38, 232 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT, 3 SK), but his overall body of work was nothing short of encouraging for a kid who was attempting to fill arguably the largest shoes in the history of the sport. So, what does the 23-year-old have in his bag for an encore? Well, the biggest story coming out of Foxborough this Summer has been who will be mentoring Jones after (former Offensive Coordinator) Josh McDaniels finally left his post to take the vacant Raiders’ Head Coach position. One of the most productive and innovative offensive minds in the league, it’s a seriously valid question as to what this offense is going to look like this Fall. After all, McDaniels has been helming New England’s attack for thirteen of the last seventeen years, working with the Quarterbacks in particular for twelve of them. Needless to say, his work with Jones last year was a HUGE reason that the attack was a productive as it was; the Patriots ranked sixth overall in points (27.2) despite only finishing fifteenth in total yards (367.6), while keeping things balanced with a rushing attack that placed eighth in both carries (28.8) and yards (126.5), not to mention second in touchdowns (24). Making things interesting is that the aforementioned Belichick has yet to even name a successor to McDaniels at this point, with a pair of returning coaches lending a hand (much more on this shortly). However, even without McDaniels running the show, there is little to reason to think that New England’s approach will stray from the path it’s been on for the better part of two decades; they’ll relentlessly look to create mismatches wherever possible, while remaining efficient and smart, particularly on third down and in the red zone.
Plugging Holes
Belichick and the Patriots have done many things at an elite level over the past twenty years, but from a personnel standpoint few have proven more adept at replacing talented players. Indeed, Belichick has built the most sustainable product in the NFL, for it feels like every season they lose at least one of their top performers, only to replace them with a seasoned veteran or someone you’ve probably never heard of. Last season, they continued to search for a successor to the aforementioned Brady, and they appear to have found a promising young passer in the form of Jones. This offseason, they parted ways with (All-Pro Cornerback) J.C. Jackson, who broke the bank in free agency, signing a lucrative deal with the Chargers. With an NFL-best TWENTY-FIVE interceptions since 2018, Jackson’s departure would be potentially crushing for most teams, but we doubt that Belichick is sweating a drop over the challenge of replacing him. (Veteran Cornerback) Jalen Mills was solid starting opposite of Jackson last year and could be primed for a larger role, while Terrance Mitchell and Malcolm Butler were added via free agency. Of course, Butler’s return to Foxborough is noteworthy for a variety of reasons, with his clutch interception on the goal line in Super Bowl XLVIV securing New England’s fourth Lombardi Trophy, while his unceremonious benching during warmups before Super Bowl LII made headlines three years later. After spending the next three years in Tennessee, the 32-year-old returns Northeast with a chip on his shoulder, particularly given his stunning decision to retire after signing with the Cardinals last Summer. There is a precedent for players returning to Foxborough after finding out that the grass isn’t necessarily greener in other pastures, and the expectation is that he will pick up where he left off within Belichick’s system four years ago. Unfortunately, Butler was placed on injured reserve early last week with an undisclosed injury, testing the depth of this group already. With that said, the position was addressed in the Draft as well, with (fourth-round pick) Jack Jones (pictured) expected to challenge for a starting role. The Arizona State product has the requisite traits to excel in man coverage, and has made quite an impression on the coaching staff during Training Camp, so don’t be surprised to see him making plays early this Fall…
According to Bill
Set to embark on his TWENTY-THIRD consecutive season as Patriots Head Coach, Bill Belichick (pictured) has shown absolutely ZERO signs of slowing down in his FORTY-SEVENTH straight campaign coaching in the NFL. Simply put, in a league in which teams change coaches on a yearly basis, the fact that this man is approaching nearly a half-decade at this level is ridiculous. So, let’s take a moment to run down his CV, shall we? Belichick has amassed an insane record of 290-143 (.670) as a Head Coach, with nineteen playoff appearances to his credit, along with seventeen division titles (all AFC East), nine AFC Championships, and a whopping SIX Lombardi Trophies, while winning two more as Defensive Coordinator for the Giants. When many thought that he may decide to walk away from Foxborough two years ago, he proceeded to set about rebuilding the Patriots, following his first losing season in twenty-one years with a return to the playoffs. With that said, this man is 70-years old, making it a legitimate question as to how much longer he’ll continue to stalk the sidelines in New England. We talked about the impact of McDaniels’ departure earlier, and it’s our opinion that if Belichick was going to retire sometime soon, then his longest-tenured disciple would have likely stayed to succeed him. We also doubt that he would be planning his swan song if he knew that he was going to be taking a heavier hand in the offense. Much has been made of him not naming a successor to McDaniels in training camp, with the likes of (former assistants) Matt Patricia and Joe Judge taking turns working with the offense throughout the Summer. Both coaches had served considerable time under Belichick in the past, and both return to Foxborough after crashing and burning as the leading men for the Lions and Giants respectively. Though coaches returning to the fold is nothing new in New England, Patricia is a longtime Defensive Coordinator, while Judge was his Special Teams Coordinator, making their involvement in the offense, particularly the continued development of Mac Jones, all the more curious. Granted, McDaniels spent time moonlighting on defense before eventually rising to Offensive Coordinator, so there is a precedent for such an unusual practice. Either way, nobody is more prepared than Belichick, and he’s certainly earned the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he’s doing at this point.
Projected Finish: 9-8
While we’re certainly aware that they bounced back in style from their first losing season in over twenty years, there is still reason to believe that 2022 could see the Patriots take a step backward. It remains to be seen just how much the departure of McDaniels and his playcalling will impact the offense, particularly Jones, who benefitted greatly from his game planning and teaching. If his progression stalls, then returning to the playoffs could become an arduous task for New England, who will face an improved AFC East along with a loaded AFC at large. Though he’ll probably prove us wrong (again), we think Bill & Co will come up short of meeting expectations this Fall…
