Tag: joe judge

Joe Judge’s new role with the Patriots might have been revealed

This could be Joe Judge’s new role with the Patriots

Joe Judge will remain on the New England Patriots coaching staff for at least the 2023 season. It’s still unknown what role he will fill on the staff, but ESPN’s Mike Reiss offered some clarification about the role, courtesy of a conversation with Devin McCourty.

Judge helped Matt Patricia with the offense last year, and things did not work out. Even still, it appears coach Bill Belichick will have him involved in some capacity, according to McCourty. Judge has previously worked for New England as their special teams assistant from 2012-2014 and special-teams coordinator from 2015-2018. He then took on the role of wide receivers coach in addition to special teams coordinator in 2019.

Now, it appears he is going to take on a completely different role off the field, as noted by Reiss:

When McCourty told the story of how he informed Belichick of his decision to retire in a WEEI radio interview, he described how he walked into Belichick’s office and Joe Judge was there meeting with Belichick. That reflects what some believe will ultimately be Judge’s role with the team this year: a senior adviser to Belichick.

It will be intriguing to see what type of role Judge will play for the Patriots, as New England looks to rebound from a disastrous 2023 season. All hands will need to be on deck in what is a crowded and talented AFC East.

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No more excuses in a make-or-break 2023 season for Mac Jones

With things starting to fall into place, Mac Jones must do his part in 2023.

Everyone hears about how important the second year for a young quarterback is, and how that can ultimately make or break a career.

The New England Patriots seemingly did everything they could to set Mac Jones up to fail in 2022. They never named an offensive coordinator, and they allowed first-time offensive play-caller, Matt Patricia, along with Joe Judge, to handle the development of Jones.

The second-year quarterback is not completely off the hook, and he certainly could have been better. But the foundation was clearly ready to crumble before he took his first snap of the season.

And it surely did.

The sun would shine again, when the Patriots announced they were looking for an official offensive coordinator. That’s when Bill O’Brien decided to step back into the role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the team. Suddenly, everything in the football world seemed okay again after a disastrous 2022 season.

The Patriots have already started to shape the offensive coaching tree by adding Will Lawing and Adrian Klemm, who have yet to officially be named position coaches. Many believe Lawing will take over for Nick Caley coaching the tight ends, and Klemm will take over for Patricia coaching the offensive line.

But what makes 2023 more important than ever is not because this is Jones’ do-over Year 2. No, he doesn’t get that, and quite frankly, no one should. What happened in 2022 can’t be erased.

Next season is important because it’s a make-or-break year for the former first-round draft pick, and there will be no more excuses.

“Mac needs better coaching.”

Check.

“Mac needs a better supporting cast.”

Check.

Jones had a worse skilled group in 2021, and he played better. How about we take this for face value and admit this year is all on Jones?

The Patriots will still need to do what other teams do for their third-year quarterbacks like the Bills did to get Stefon Diggs ahead of Josh Allen’s third year, or how the Eagles went and added A.J. Brown ahead of Jalen Hurt’s third year.

If the Patriots can add someone of that caliber, the pressure is really on. But even if there aren’t any true game-changers available, the Patriots, with obvious offensive tackle upgrades looming, would have done all they could to support their young quarterback.

Jones has had premiere talent at almost every level of competition he has played, but even the 2022 improvements were overshadowed by the ineptitude of the coaching structure. In 2023, with virtually the same roster, Jones will need to improve.

What makes this year important is simple roster building. After the 2023 season, the Patriots will have to make a decision on Jones’ fifth-year option for 2025.

If he ultimately looks like he did in 2021, I think they gladly pick up the option, call the previous a wash, and attempt to build around him. They could even consider looking to extend him long-term, if they feel that he is their franchise quarterback.

But if 2022 was more on Jones than coaching or personnel and he struggles again, the Patriots could be looking towards the 2024 offseason to find the next guy, whether through free agency, trade, or taking another stab at a first-round quarterback.

The 2023 season will be important for everyone—Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, Jonathan Kraft and Mac Jones. If they can erase the stink from 2022 and develop Jones further, the Patriots can finally have the peace of knowing they’ve found their guy and shift focus towards other needs with the most important position on the field settled.

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Podcast: Tom Brady’s retirement and the unknown future of Matt Patricia

FOX Sports’ Henry McKenna joined the Patriots Wire Podcast to talk about Tom Brady, Bill O’Brien and the futures of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.

A year to the date of Tom Brady’s first retirement, the former New England Patriots quarterback retired for a second time on Wednesday. And this time, he made sure to say it’s “for good.”

FOX Sports’ Henry McKenna joined the Patriots Wire Podcast to react in real time to Brady’s announcement. He also dropped some golden nuggets on the futures of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.

The panel delved into the expected impact of Bill O’Brien as the Patriots’ new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as well. Can he fix the team and turn them back into a playoff contender?

Follow the Patriots Wire Podcast:
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As always, please sound off with your thoughts and opinions in the comments sections of our social media platforms so we can read them. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Giants’ Xavier McKinney: ‘We’re building something special’

Xavier McKinney feels the New York Giants are “building something special” after hitting “rock bottom” under Joe Judge in 2021.

New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney has been part of some bad teams early in his NFL career. He felt like under Joe Judge, there was no consistent direction among the staff and players were being led down conflicting paths.

All of that changed under head coach Brian Daboll this past season. There’s been a consistent approach since Day 1 and players want to be in the building. They also feel heard for the first time in years.

That change and the culture shift led to the team’s first playoff win since Super Bowl XLVI. But the magical run ended with a drubbing at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.

That loss was humbling, McKinney said. But the future remains bright and the Giants are “building something special.”

“I think we’re going to compete to win the division every year,” McKinney said on The Pivot. “I think we’re going to have the team to do it. We’re building something special and I think we’re going to be a hard team to beat every year.

“Everything is set in place. We just need a couple more pieces and we’re going to be rolling.”

Much of the credit is owed to Daboll, who reenergized the entire organization in the blink of an eye.

“When Joe Judge came in, we were used to cussing every five seconds. Dabes wasn’t like that,” McKinney said. “When he came in, the goal was clear and he wasn’t trying to be an (expletive) or do anything that was funny acting. He wanted to win games and he told us that from the jump.

“We were already ready to change the narrative so at that point, we didn’t really care who came in. We had already built that mindset of, ‘we’re about to change this and we don’t care what coaches come in the building. We’ve got to change this (expletive) now.'”

McKinney added that Daboll and his staff earned the trust of the players quickly and that it was “smooth sailing” after that.

“I think he should be Coach of the Year because he turned the organization around super fast,” McKinney said. “Last year we were at rock bottom. For him to be able to turn things around in a matter of one year, I think it’s just crazy.”

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Ex-Giant Joe Judge not well-liked by Patriots players

Ex-New York Giants head coach Joe Judge reportedly had a rough season in New England and isn’t well-liked by Patriots players or coaches.

Shortly after Joe Judge was fired by the New York Giants, reports began to surface about the culture inside the building. It was very militaristic with both players and coaches “walking on eggshells.”

Judge’s Patriot-style practices were also not popular among players, while some of his outbursts and verbal exchanges happened under the bright lights.

That has apparently carried over in Judge’s return to the New England Patriots.

Not only has Judge navigated a tense relationship with quarterback Mac Jones, but he’s fallen out of favor with head coach Bill Belichick and isn’t well-liked in the locker room, reports the Boston Herald.

As Patricia came under outside fire as the face of the offense, Judge drew increasing criticism from within. Belichick would blast him in practice, and it wasn’t uncommon for Judge and Jones to trade profanity-laced outbursts. Jones’ trust in his position coach was effectively non-existent.

“Mac didn’t like him,” one source said. “At all.”

“(Judge) would speak extra loudly in meetings, trying to project like he was the guy,” another source said. “And I think that kind of rubbed people the wrong way.”

“A lot of people were frustrated with (Judge),” a third added.

Judge will return to the Patriots in 2023 but with a reduced role. The team has hired Bill O’Brien as their offensive coordinator, leaving both Judge and Matt Patricia further down in the pecking order.

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Report: Mac Jones disliked Joe Judge during difficult 2022 season

Mac Jones reportedly didn’t like Joe Judge “at all” during the 2022 season.

New details have emerged surrounding the dysfunction of the New England Patriots organization during the 2022 season. This includes details surrounding the relationship between quarterback Mac Jones and Joe Judge, or perhaps the lack thereof.

The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan and Karen Guregian reported that Judge was phased out during the 2022 season. Jones reportedly did not have a strong working relationship with Judge, and quite frankly, he wasn’t a big fan of the coach.

The second-year quarterback had an up-and-down season, recording 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.  This latest report adds to what was a frustrating year for Jones in the offense, as inconsistencies plagued the unit throughout the entire season.

Per the Boston Herald, it “wasn’t uncommon for Judge and Jones to trade profanity-laced outbursts.” It was a dysfunctional situation that was seemingly headed towards a tipping point.

“Mac didn’t like him,” one source told Guregian and Callahan. “At all.”

Jones has a chance to rebound from a difficult sophomore season, as the Patriots hired Bill O’Brien for the roles of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Jones was reportedly enthused by the move, as New England looks to get things straightened out on offense.

This latest report highlights just how scattered the Patriots’ operation was during the 2022 season.

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Patriots OC Bill O’Brien officially gets second job title

Bill O’Brien will officially hold two job titles with the Patriots.

It really will be like old times with Bill O’Brien taking over the same roles that he had with the New England Patriots back in 2011. On Thursday, the team officially announced O’Brien would be taking over as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Significant regression in 2022 pushed the Patriots in the direction of a major shake-up on the offensive side of the ball.

O’Brien hopes to be the change the team desperately needs after missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. The team’s previous offensive play-caller, Matt Patricia, and quarterbacks coach, Joe Judge, still remain a mystery with all of the recent changes.

Will coach Bill Belichick seek to reassign them to new positions on the staff, or will they be let go entirely?

Patricia in particular has taken the brunt of the blame for the struggles, but to be fair, he was put in that position by Belichick, despite the clear lack of experience as an offensive play-caller. Getting ousted at this point would do him no favors in future endeavors.

But having O’Brien overseeing both the play-calling and quarterback situation will be like night and day for a unit that was doomed to failure under Patricia.

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Matt Patricia, Joe Judge not included in Patriots Shrine Bowl coaching staff

Bill O’Brien will be present, but there will be no Matt Patricia or Joe Judge on the Patriots’ Shrine Bowl coaching staff.

There are multiple odd absences within the New England Patriots coaching staff ahead of the 2023 Shrine Bowl game.

The Patriots were one of the two teams chosen, along with the Atlanta Falcons, to coach the opposing East and West teams. Matt Patricia, Joe Judge, Nick Caley and Steve Belichick were the four missing coaches that really stood out.

As NESN’s Zack Cox pointed out, Belichick and his wife are expecting their fourth child. So that would probably explain why he won’t be making the trip. Meanwhile, Caley’s contract is up as the Patriots tight ends coach.

It is interesting, however, that Bill O’Brien, who was just named the Patriots new offensive coordinator on Tuesday, will be making the trip, while both Patricia and Judge are left back at home.

Patricia struggled with the offensive play-calling duties in the 2022 season, and Judge didn’t fare any better as an offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach. The offense was an absolute mess, and in many ways, it was greatly responsible for the Patriots missing the playoffs.

There’s still a possibility of both Patricia and Judge remaining with the organization in reassigned roles, but the Patriots could also opt to move on entirely as well.

The full Shrine Bowl coaching staff is as follows:

The 2023 Shrine Bowl is slated to take place on February 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It’s a college all-star game that will feature some of the best prospects in the country.

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Twitter mercilessly roasted Joe Judge following Giants’ big playoff victory

Joe Judge faced the wrath of Twitter after the Giants knocked off the Vikings in the playoffs.

Twitter had no chill when it came to New England Patriots offensive assistant Joe Judge following the New York Giants’ stunning playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Judge served as the head coach for the Giants for two seasons, prior to the team hiring Brian Daboll in 2022.

Despite basically having the same team at his disposal, Judge finished his short tenure with the Giants with back-to-back losing records, including a 4-13 finish in 2021, which ultimately led to his firing.

Daboll’s immediate success with the team not only brought Judge into the spotlight, but it also shined a light on the entire Patriots organization as a whole when it comes to coaching. It proved that a good head coach with the right staff in place can do wonders for a football team.

There’s no denying Bill Belichick is one of the greatest coaches to ever do it, but the struggles with Judge and Matt Patricia having a bigger hand in things on the offensive side of the ball is certainly telling.

Here’s what people were saying about it on Twitter.

5 coaches that could assume offensive coordinator role for Patriots in 2023

Here are five coaches that could take up the offensive coordinator mantle for the Patriots in 2023.

Following their end-of-the-season meeting, it would appear as if New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick are on the same page about the offense needing changes in 2023.

Don’t expect any public announcements, however, as that really isn’t Belichick or Kraft’s style to do that sort of thing.

As is often the case in the day after the regular season finale, many coaches have been let go by programs, and teams have begun their search for replacements. It is likely that Matt Patricia and Joe Judge remain with the Patriots, but they could be reassigned.

As expected with any coordinator, Belichick will likely need to give control of the offense over to the new coach. During player evaluations, it should be a more collaborative approach between Matt Groh, Belichick and the coordinator, if the candidate is not a “Belichick guy.”

Likely, Patricia could remain with the offensive line, and Judge could replace Cam Achord as special teams coordinator.

With the Patriots desperately in need of finding a true offensive coordinator and staff to successfully prepare Mac Jones and company for 2023, these candidates could be calling the shots next season.