Patriots give fans a reason to exhale with latest news

The long, national nightmare that was the Matt Patricia and Joe Judge era is seemingly over.

In the statement, the team also announced it is working on a contract to retain linebackers coach Jerod Mayo. Earlier Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Panthers requested permission to interview Mayo for their opening at head coach.

In 2022, the team didn't have an official offensive coordinator. Patricia was named Senior Football Advisor and coached the offensive line. Judge received the title of Offensive Assistant and coached quarterbacks.

Patricia last coached offensive line in 2005. Judge never coached quarterbacks before the 2022 season.

The lack of experience showed in the product on the field. The Patriots ranked 17th in points (21.4) and 26th in yards (314.6) per game.

QB Mac Jones regressed after showing promise as a rookie. He led New England to a 10-7 record and a wild-card berth a season ago. This year, the Patriots were 6-8 in his 14 starts and failed to qualify for the playoffs.

One name already linked to the opening at offensive coordinator is former Patriots OC Bill O'Brien. He coached in New England from 2007-2011 and was named offensive coordinator in his final season. He left to become head coach at Penn State from 2012-2013 before leading the Houston Texans from 2014-2020.

He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Alabama during the past two seasons. His contract expires on Feb. 28, 2023.

O'Brien looked great as offensive coordinator in 2011, but QB Tom Brady could have made anyone look good. As a head coach with the Texans, his offenses never ranked in the top 10 in points or yards.

The post-Brady era has been uneven for New England. From 2003-2019, the franchise never lost more than six games in a season. From 2020-2022, the team lost at least seven games each year.

The team needs a shake-up to return to relevancy. The first step to that happening came today.