Bill Belichick says Matt Patricia, Joe Judge to play key roles on New England Patriots' offensive staff

PALM BEACH, Fla. — New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Monday that Matt Patricia, the former Detroit Lions head coach and New England defensive coordinator, will be part of the team's offensive coaching staff in 2022.

It's a notable transition for Patricia, whose primary background since entering the NFL in 2004 has been on defense.

Patricia will work alongside former New York Giants head coach Joe Judge, the longtime Patriots special teams coach, as Belichick reshapes his offensive staff following the departure of coordinator Josh McDaniels to become Las Vegas Raiders head coach.

Belichick hasn't named an official offensive coordinator — he said Monday that he doesn't believe in titles — but in his first public remarks since mid-January, he singled out Patricia and Judge as those he will be relying upon to help replace McDaniels. He deflected a question on which coach would call plays — a key role given the presence of promising second-year quarterback Mac Jones.

Belichick also said he will continue to meet with Jones himself, as he has with all quarterbacks throughout his 22 seasons as coach.

Specifically of the 47-year-old Patricia, Belichick said: «It's been awesome. He has a lot of experience — he's done things when he was here, then of course he had his experiences in Detroit [2018-2020]. Then last year [with the Patriots as a senior adviser], things like the COVID rules and that type of thing. He's been a big help to me and the organization.»

Patricia first joined the Patriots in 2004 as a general coaching assistant, before moving to assistant offensive line coach the following season. He was named linebackers coach in 2006 and stayed on defense.

Belichick doesn't see this year's transition for Patricia