Patriots offensive assistant Joe Judge says he's working with Mac Jones, quarterbacks

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The specifics of former New York Giants head coach Joe Judge's role as a New England Patriots offensive assistant became clearer Monday, as he told reporters that he's working with Mac Jones and the quarterbacks.

It's a key position on Bill Belichick's staff, given Jones' promise and the departure of longtime, innovative offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to become the Las Vegas Raiders head coach.

Meanwhile, former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia — who spent the 2021 season as a senior advisor to Belichick in New England — said he is working with the offensive line.

Belichick had previously identified Judge and Patricia as two leading coaches on offense, but had not publicly specified their roles, or if they would replace McDaniels as the playcaller on game day.

Judge was asked if he would call plays in 2022 and said: «Look, I'll tell you directly and honestly right now, nothing has been declared or decided or voiced to me.… In terms of who calls plays, to be honest with you, that's not the main focus right now. When Coach wants to go ahead and declare a role like that, he'll tell us.»

The Patriots are currently in the second phase of their voluntary offseason program, with coaches working with players on individual and full-unit drills. Reporters have not had access to practice, but Judge and Patricia detailed their responsibilities.

«In terms of who is coaching each position, you'll see me on the field with the quarterbacks,» said Judge, who was 10-23 in his stint as Giants head coach from 2020-2021.

«I am working with Mac, along with all the skill group on offense. I'd say all of us are working collectively as a coaching unit with the entire offense. So that's the most direct and specific