Mac Jones will be the starting quarterback.
It’s safe to say Mac Jones has had a wild ride in the NFL thus far, and that’s a significant understatement. Mac’s second year in the NFL was also anything but typical, as he started his sophomore year with two defensive coaches on the offensive coaching staff. His numbers went down dramatically as and people were questioning if Mac Jones was an NFL-caliber quarterback. So that’s where we stand right now. However, as OTA’s are wrapping up, it becomes clear that Mac Jones is the team’s starting quarterback. When practicing in front of the media, Jones is throwing to the first-team offense and has taken a majority of the reps at practice. That should be no surprise, as Jones ended the season as the Patriot’s quarterback.
Tyquan Thornton should be in for a more significant role this season.
Patriots second-year wide-out Tyquan Thornton has been turning heads at OTA’s thus far with his blazing speed and hand/eye coordination improvements from last season. The Patriots drafted Thornton out of Baylor in the 2022 NFL draft. After a decent summer, Thornton, unfortunately, suffered a shoulder injury and had to sit out the first several weeks of his rookie season. He came back in week 5 and had a monster comeback in Cleveland, recording two touchdown passes. Although, after his incredible performance, he started to slow down as the season went on and wasn’t seen on the field nearly as much. However, after training with Mac Jones over the offseason, Thornton knows he has to improve and have a bounce-back year. There’s no denying the Patriots struggled on offense last season but was part of that due to the usage of players like Thornton? Perhaps if the former Baylor product gets more snaps on the outside, he can use his speed to blaze past defensive backs. Well, it’s possible, as the 22-year-old’s former coach spoke about how Thornton can have a tremendous sophomore campaign. Thornton’s receiver coach at Baylor, Chansi Stuckey, offered praise and was hopeful under new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, nothing that Thornton will improve dramatically.
“I think about O’Brien when I watched Deshaun (Watson) play with one of our guys from here, with Will Fuller, who was constantly catching balls downfield,” Stuckey said. “I’m sure that falls right into Tyquan’s wheelhouse. I’m sure he’s excited about being used and getting opportunities to be used to his skillset.”
Jalen Mills will likely see plenty of snaps at safety.
Jalen Mills will likely see time at the safety position for the Patriots in 2023. After earning the role of the outsider cornerback in the 2021 offseason, he’s been a reliable starter on the outside for two seasons. However, as the Patriots drafted Christian Gonzalez in the first round, Mills was seen taking most of his reps at the safety spot in OTAs. Mills hadn’t played a single snap at free safety since 2020, when he was with the Eagles, but he doesn’t minds the sudden change. The change in position is likely due to the retirement of long-time Pro-Bowler Devin McCourty. The Patriots’ safety room has Adrian Phillps, Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Joshuah Bledsoe, and rookie Marte Mapu.
“It gives me the ability to not only show my versatility but be around the ball a little more and make more plays, Mills said.”
Rhamondre Stevenson knows he’s the leader of the running backs
When the Patriots moved on from Damien Harris this offseason, it meant the Patriots had clear faith in running back Rhamondre Stevenson to be the number one running back. A former fourth-round draft pick in 2021, Stevenson has shown he has what it takes to be the clear-cut RB1 with the Patriots. Last season, Harris took a step back last season, partly due to a lingering hamstring injury. Steveson made the best of the opportunity, leading the Patriots in receptions (69) and yards from scrimmage (1.461). He ended the year with six touchdowns and was often a security blanket for Mac Jones. Unfortunately, as the season progressed, Stevenson’s number regressed, and he recognized how his body was taking a step back at the end of the season. However, in OTA’s, he looks back to normal. With an entire offseason to rest, he will look to set new personal numbers this season. Stevenson joins newcomer James Robinson, veteran Ty Montgomery, and two second-year backs, Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr.
Joe Judge will have a big role this season but not on offense.
After a disastrous coaching season last year, the Patriots have decided it’s in their best interest not to let Joe Judge have much influence on offense, and he’ll instead have other responsibilities. The judge will primarily help out Cam Acord on special teams. The former head coach used to be in charge of the Patriots’ special teams, and having him back where he should be regarded as an excellent move by Bill Belichick and the front office. Last season, the special teams were atrocious, and that’s putting it mildly. It was awful. Judge’s presence and focus on the kicking game are vital for the Patriots to get to 10+ wins this season.
It’s Bill O’Brien’s show on offense.
Sticking with the coaching staff, New England made a huge addition this season, adding former NFL head coach and Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to the team. The Patriots know their offensive identity for the first time since the post-Brady era. Mac Jones will be the quarterback. Bill O’Brien will be the offensive coordinator. Those two sentences haven’t been said for the past three seasons around this time of year. It’s been chaotic between Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Matt Patricia, and Joe Judge in Foxboro in May. Besides a stable offense, BOB will provide his vocal expertise, which is crucial as you couldn’t always spot vocal coaches last year. According to beat reports, O’Brien is always yelling, and it’s clear he’s in charge of the offense, which third-year quarterback Mac Jones will headline.
“He’s taken a lot of good things from each stop,” Mac Jones said after practice. “He has such a great experience in this league, and in the football world, it’s like a walking dictionary.”
Christian Gonzalez is looking like a starter.
Patriots’ first-round selection CB Christian Gonzelez is officially practicing with the Patriots, as he was seen on the field for the first time early this week at Tuesday’s OTA media session. Gonzalez was absent during last week’s media OTA session, but this week, he was active, showcasing why he should be the number one cornerback on the roster. Gonzalez should be a Week 1 starter, and although it’s only been one practice, Gonzalex’s athleticism was on full display. If you’re wondering how the rest of the defense looked, Jonathan Jones worked on the outside opposite of Gonzelzes, with Mills playing in the slot. Sophomore CB Jack Jones also worked on the outside, taking away some reps from the former Oregon Duck.
Marte Mapu will make an impact.
The third-round 2023 draft pick, Marte Mapu, has been impressive thus far, to say the least. Mapu has been playing some snaps with the first-string defense, which is a bright sign that the linebacker could see some quality playing time this season. On the last day of OTA practice, Marte Mapu recorded an interception off of Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe.
The New England Patriots will start their mandatory minicamp next Monday. The media will attend all three days of the minicamp, from Monday to Wednesday.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.