Bill O'Brien discusses speculation he could return to Pats

Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama's Bill O'Brien discusses speculation he could return to Patriots

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 12/31/22

Believed to be the front-runner for the offensive coordinator position with the New England Patriots, Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien says he actually hasn’t spoken with anyone in the organization for quite a while.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Alabama’s Sugar Bowl matchup against Kansas State, in typical Bill Belichick fashion, O’Brien downplayed the degree of truth behind the reports that he would be rejoining his former team after the 2022 college football season.

"I think the mutual interest is starting to become more & more apparent"@tomecurran shares with @heykayadams what he's hearing about a possible Bill O'Brien return pic.twitter.com/FF389MgY9a
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) December 27, 2022

“It’s kind of that time of year when things come up and things pop up,” he said. “I haven’t spoken to anybody in New England since last April when I went by and saw those guys when I was up there. So, I wish them well in there last however many games they have left, but we’re very focused on this game and coaching this team to the best of our ability.”

Offensive line coach Matt Patricia calls New England’s plays, but it's expected those duties will be taken off his plate after the Patriots saw a 36.2-yard drop in total offense from 2021 to 2022 and a six-point drop in offensive scoring.

During O’Brien’s lone season as offensive coordinator in 2011, the Patriots averaged 428 yards and 32.1 points per game — second- and third-best, respectively, in the NFL that season.

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