Patriots' New Offensive Coordinator: Another 'Clean Slate' for Mac Jones?!

Sounding eerily familiar to Bill O'Brien from one year ago, New England Patriots' new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is promising regressed quarterback Mac Jones a "clean slate."

Stop us if you've heard this one before, but Mac Jones is getting a "clean slate."

The 2021 first-round draft pick was benched in favor of Bailey Zappe last season, but times have since changed in New England. With the legendary head coach Bill Belichick having stepped down, Jerod Mayo has taken over and he has subsequently tabbed Alex Van Pelt as the new offensive coordinator.

The 53-year-old Van Pelt will begin building an offense without knowing who the starting quarterback will be. The Patriots own the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and could roll the dice on a potential franchise field general.

“There’s definitely some pieces of the puzzle that aren’t quite put in place yet and that’s our job,” said Van Pelt during Wednesday’s introductory press conference.

Van Pelt and Co. are tasked with improving a passing offense that ranked 30th (out of 32 teams) in yards per play (5.51). With Jones and Zappe both due to return, Van Pelt plans an open-minded approach to evaluating the situation.

“I think the best thing for everybody is gonna be a fresh start, for everybody,” said Van Pelt. “I talked to a couple guys already, coming in with a clean slate. No preconceived expectations or notions of who these guys are.”

It was a year ago, remember, that after a disastrous 2022 season then-new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien also promised a "clean slate" to Jones.

© Phil Masturzo / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jones's stock has dropped significantly since the 2021 season when completed 67.6 percent of passes for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading the Patriots to an AFC Wildcard berth. This past year, he averaged a career-low 6.1 yards per attempt with New England going 2-9 in his starts. 

"I talked to Mac a little bit," said Van Pelt, who spent nine years as a Buffalo Bills’ backup quarterback.

Van Pelt credited his playing experience, and the guidance of his former coaches, for preparing him to meet the challenges that lie ahead as Patriots' offensive coordinator.

Will Patriots Honor Rhamondre Stevenson Request?

"For the quarterback, it’s understanding what he can and can’t do, what we’re asking him to do and what he can’t do," said Van Pelt. "Having the experiences of being in those situations as a player, I think I have an understanding of what his strengths and weaknesses are and how we can make him a better player."

There's no telling how long it will last, but Jones appears to have new life in New England.

---