The University of Alabama is the clear connection between New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and quarterback Mac Jones.
Granted, O’Brien wasn’t on staff when Jones was actually still playing at Alabama, but the two did cross paths in 2021, when O’Brien was arriving and Jones was leaving.
When asked about the extent of his working relationship with Jones, O’Brien downplayed the association as little more than a general offensive discussion between a coach and quarterback.
“I basically met him, he talked to me about the generalities of the offense and that was about it,” O’Brien said on Tuesday, via NESN’s Zack Cox.
Bill O'Brien downplayed his brief overlap with Mac Jones at Alabama in 2021: "I basically met him, he talked to me about the generalities of the offense and that was about it."
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) April 18, 2023
ESPN’s Mike Reiss noted in his Sunday column that some within the Alabama football program believe Jones is one of the biggest reasons why O’Brien decided to return to New England.
If that truly is the case, even without a deep-rooted relationship, there was clearly something in the conversation or just Jones’ abilities that caught O’Brien’s attention.
Now, the longtime offensive coach will have an opportunity to help shape and mold that talent in ways the Patriots failed to do last season.
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