Patriots' Mac Jones happy for 'normal' offense under Bill O’Brien

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones sounds happy he's working under new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien rather than assistant coaches Matt Patricia and Joe Judge this spring. 

"It’s been really good. It’s been normal," Jones said about O’Brien's offense while speaking with reporters on Wednesday, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I think everything he’s done so far has been really good. I think the communication is the most important part, and trust. I think it starts with that when you’re with a new coach and he’s done a great job in controlling the room. I feel like everybody is on the same page." 

Patricia, known largely as a defensive coach, reportedly served as New England's offensive play-caller last season after former New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels became head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Jones noticeably regressed following an impressive rookie season and allegedly angered head coach Bill Belichick by contacting individuals from outside the organization for coaching during the campaign. 

While the 24-year-old was the subject of numerous trade rumors earlier this offseason, it's unclear if Belichick ever came close to shipping Jones out of New England before the draft. O’Brien insisted in April that Jones and other members of the team's offense were receiving "fresh starts," and the 2021 first-round draft pick noted Wednesday that his current coordinator previously coached some big names such as former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young and Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns. 

"He has such great experience in this league and in the football world," Jones added about O’Brien. "It’s like a walking dictionary, you just pick his brain and see the game how he sees it and how I see it. And then come together and mesh and create a really good offense." 

According to ESPN stats, Jones ended the 2022 regular season ranked 28th out of 31 qualified players with a woeful 36.1 adjusted QBR. Additionally, he passed for 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions across 14 games. If Jones doesn't drastically improve such numbers under O’Brien, the Patriots realistically could spend the first several months of 2024 searching for a new QB1.