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 Dec 31, 2022 1:51 PM ET

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.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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