9 Winners, 9 Losers: Dissecting the Patriots' McDaniels Hire
The New England Patriots' hiring of Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator, and the subsequent promotion of Bill Belichick's son, Steve, to offensive assistant, sent shockwaves through the NFL. While the moves appear to signal a return to a more traditional offensive approach, analyzing the implications reveals clear winners and losers. Let's break down the nine key beneficiaries and nine key casualties of this significant organizational shift.
9 Winners from the Patriots' Coaching Shuffle
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Mac Jones: The biggest winner is arguably Mac Jones. O'Brien's reputation for developing quarterbacks, coupled with a presumably more structured offensive system, offers Jones a vital opportunity to revive his NFL career. A successful season under O'Brien could propel Jones back into the spotlight and solidify his position as a starting quarterback in the league.
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Bill O'Brien: The return to New England represents a significant career resurgence for O'Brien. A successful season could rejuvenate his coaching stock, potentially opening doors to future head coaching opportunities. He gets a chance to prove he's learned from past experiences and can guide a talented, albeit inconsistent, offense.
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Patriots Offensive Line: With a more traditional, pro-style offense, the offensive line should see a decreased burden of complex, quick-release schemes. This allows for more emphasis on run-blocking and power plays, potentially boosting their performance and overall effectiveness.
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Rhamondre Stevenson: A power running back, Stevenson is perfectly suited to a more balanced, run-heavy attack. O'Brien’s system is likely to feature a greater emphasis on the running game, allowing Stevenson to showcase his abilities and potentially elevate his status as a top-tier running back.
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Patriots Fans: The hiring of O'Brien suggests a willingness by the Patriots to adapt and address their offensive struggles. For fans frustrated by the previous season's offensive ineptitude, this move offers a glimmer of hope and a chance for a more entertaining and successful team.
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Bill Belichick (potentially): While his long-term legacy is secure, a successful season with a revitalized offense would add another feather to his already impressive cap. It demonstrates his adaptability and willingness to evolve his coaching philosophy to maintain competitiveness.
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Draft Prospects (Offensive): The Patriots' renewed focus on a traditional offensive scheme could influence their draft strategy, potentially leading to the selection of players who fit this style of play better. This could benefit future Patriots offenses.
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Steve Belichick: While his exact role is still unclear, his promotion signifies trust and faith from his father, indicating a potential long-term path within the Patriots organization.
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NFL Offensive Coordinators: O'Brien's success or failure will directly impact the perception and value of other offensive coordinators across the league, potentially influencing their future job prospects.
9 Losers from the Patriots' Coaching Shuffle
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Matt Patricia/Joe Judge: The experiment of entrusting play-calling to these two ultimately failed. Their departure signifies the end of a controversial era of Patriots offensive football that was widely criticized.
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Josh McDaniels (indirectly): While not directly involved in this latest shakeup, the shadow of McDaniels' previous tenure still looms large. O'Brien's success or failure might be viewed as a referendum on McDaniels' capabilities.
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High-Risk Offensive Schemes: The Patriots seemingly abandoned the highly complex and risky schemes of the past two seasons. This is a loss for those who prefer innovative and cutting-edge strategies, regardless of their effectiveness.
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Fantasy Football Owners of Mac Jones: Depending on Jones’ performance, this could be a win or a loss. If Jones fails to improve significantly, fantasy owners who drafted him high will be disappointed.
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Bailey Zappe: The backup quarterback's chances of seeing significant playing time have likely diminished with a more structured offense and O'Brien's focus on developing Jones.
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Potential Offensive Free Agent Signings (in a different scheme): The Patriots' shift towards a more traditional offense might make them less attractive to certain offensive free agents who thrive in different offensive systems.
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The "Revolution" Era: While the move may be beneficial for the Patriots in the long run, it essentially marks the end of the experimental phase they were undergoing.
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Alternative Offensive Philosophies: The move reinforces the perceived "correct" way to run an NFL offense, potentially diminishing the attention given to alternative, innovative approaches.
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The Unexpected: There’s always the possibility of unforeseen negative consequences. The new system might reveal unexpected weaknesses or create new problems not initially anticipated.
The Patriots' coaching changes are a significant gamble. Whether it pays off remains to be seen. However, the ripple effects are clear, creating both winners and losers across the organization and the broader NFL landscape. Only time will tell if this shakeup achieves its intended goals.
