Bill O’Brien Has To Play It Safe Around Belichick

By: Steve Atkinson

Bill O’Brien talked to the media today for the first time since being hired by Robert Kraft to be the offensive coordinator. So, if we go back to the end of the 2022 season with Belichick pissed at the operation on offense and blaming the players because now they have to pay a real offensive coordinator. Kraft hires O’Brien and Belichick isn’t happy about it but goes along with it. O’Brien comes in and has to rework the entire offense to benefit Mac Jones and help him succeed. Why? Because that is what Robert Kraft wants.

During the owner’s meetings, Bill Belichick wouldn’t even say the words Mac Jones and said everyone would be competing for a chance to play. Today, Bill O’Brien wouldn’t say the words Mac Jones and downplayed Mac working with O’Brien in 2021 at Alabama when Mac was getting ready for the draft.

Robert Kraft Hired Bill O’Brien To Help Mac Jones

Why did Bill O’Brien downplay talking with Mac and not say his name today? Because he has to play nice with Belichick. If he went out and spoke to the media today saying Mac is the quarterback and we need to build around him. Belichick would look like the a-hole and people would be wondering why Belichick didn’t say Mac’s name at the owner’s meetings but Kraft did. Having O’Brien not say Mac’s name shows publicly that he is on Bill Belichick’s side and Kraft is on  Mac’s side. It also gives sports radio the perfect opportunity to talk about a quarterback competition that doesn’t exist.

Bill O’Brien Says The Offense Is A Clean Slate

Everyone is on a clean slate O’Brien said today when it comes to the offense.

“It really is a clean slate. However you played, or however you coached, or whatever you did in the past, in the end it’s all about what are you going to do starting [now]? … Football is a game of emotion at times, but at the end of the day, this is a new year, a new start, and we’re excited about it.”

Here is the quote of O’Brien downplaying meeting Mac in 2021 at Alabama before the draft.

“He was there getting ready for the draft. I basically met him, and he talked to me about the generalities of the offense. That was about it,” O’Brien said, stressing that the start of the Patriots’ voluntary offseason program Monday is the time he can start to get to know Jones and all the players better.

Bill O’Brien Wanted To Be Here Because Of Mac Jones

I’d like to go back to the Mike Reiss column on Sunday when Mike spoke to people at Alabama as to why O’Brien is here. I can tell you from the below quote it isn’t because of some fake dumb quarterback competition or for Bailey Zappe.

 “Some close to the Alabama program, where O’Brien served as OC the past two seasons, believe Jones’ presence is one of the top reasons the job appealed to O’Brien.”

The narrative on sports radio today though after hearing O’Brien speak publicly was O’Brien hates Mac like Belichick and that Zappe will start. If that was the case and O’Brien thought that I can tell you hands down, he wouldn’t be the offensive coordinator and it would be some no-name or Joe Judge. That whole team knows who the starting quarterback is whether they say it publicly or not. Robert Kraft wants Mac to start so Mac will start. Kraft even said O’Brien was brought here to get Mac on track.

I think he was an excellent choice, “And he has learning-curve experience of our system. He knows Mac Jones. He knows how to build a great offense. And I’m excited to see what happens next year.”

At the end of the day like I’ve been saying it doesn’t matter what Belichick says and O’Brien has to play it safe publicly.  However, privately O’Brien is working with Mac to get him to where he needs to be so he can succeed.