Alex Van Pelt’s Vision: Looking for 'Connected' Offense in 2024

Adapt or Fall Behind

The Patriots new offensive coordinator has shown a great ability to be adaptable with his offenses. Just this past season for the Browns was one of the greatest examples; a season in which he had five different quarterbacks start a game. His leadership allowed him to get the team ready to go with completely different styles of playing quarterback throughout the year. This adaptability suggests that with the Patriots, we should get an offense that’s much more fluid and dynamic than those in recent memory, one capable of shifting its approach from year to year to be able to adjust to the changing roster.

In his first time speaking since being hired by the Patriots, Van Pelt doubled down on his flexible approach to building an offense in a YouTube video posted to the team’s account. Saying, “A good coordinator will often take the strengths of the players that he has, play to their strengths well, at the same time being able to protect them from their weaknesses.”

Focusing On the Franchise’s Future

The Patriots offense has been missing a level of adaptability lately. With a limited roster this past season, the scheme never seemed to mold or change to try and garner more production. With all signs pointing to a new quarterback under center this season, it’s going to be as important as ever to set whoever that might be, up for success.

Having played the position in this league, Van Pelt knows just how important the situation around the quarterback is to his success. “Quarterback plays a big part of what I believe in, putting him in a position to be successful, and you know, if you can make that guy successful, oftentimes your offense is successful.”

Music to Patriots fan’s ears! Even after being benched four times this season, there are still some in the fan base who believe Mac Jones’ poor play was solely due to the situation around him. But whether you think that’s the case or you think Jones shouldn’t be a starter in the NFL, everyone (including Van Pelt) seems to agree that the situation has to get better for the next guy.

A Perfect Fit For the Mayo Era?

All the reports about Jerod Mayo as a coach were saying that he was a ‘player’s coach.’ Someone who could be a great leader of men and knows how to resonate with the players, and the players themselves have backed up these claims with comments of their own. Mack Wilson took to X (formerly Twitter) to say, “The start of a New Era that I’d love to be a part of. So happy for this dude… Well deserved BIG COACH!

” Much of the same can be, and was, said for Van Pelt.

In an appearance on the Zolak and Bertrand show, Albert Breer said Van Pelt “was the glue guy of that [Browns] staff… the one that held that staff together as guys were coming out, as guys were going in.” This is exactly the kind of person that Mayo needed on his staff, especially on the offensive side of the ball. With him being so young himself, and a few of his initial hires being in the younger side as well, this staff was missing that experience to be able to lean on in crucial moments.

Time for a Modern Offense in New England

From the interviews the Patriots conducted in their search for an offensive coordinator, it became clear that the team wanted someone with Shanahan/McVay, West Coast, style of offense. That may be why they were so quick to hire Van Pelt following his interview, considering he has experience in both. With his recent time in Cleveland under Kevin Stefanski, who was in Minnesota with Gary Kubiak, he was able to experience the Shanahan offense. His knowledge of the McVay offense stems from his time in Cincinnati working with Zac Taylor, who was hired from McVay’s staff. The Patriots may have gotten the best of both worlds in Van Pelt, who can morph the Patriots’ offense to best fit whoever they put under center.

No matter the scheme, the Patriots new offensive coordinator is focused on the team being connected. Saying, “Teams that are close and that are connected—connected is a big word that I’ll use—the connectivity, those teams always play better.” Following a 2023 season that had more distractions than wins, this team needs to connect quickly to right the ship.