Patriots MVP in 2023: 3 to Watch on Offense

As the New England Patriots prepare for the 2023 NFL season, Patriots Country concludes our pre-training camp series by highlighting three potential team MVP candidates on offense.

FOXBORO — As the New England Patriots limped to an 8-9 record in 2022, it was clear that changes were needed — especially on offense. 

For the second time in three seasons, New England failed to qualify for the playoffs, due largely in part to its scoring futility. The Pats finished 7th-worst in total yards while scoring only 21.4 points per game, earning them the 17th spot in the NFL.

Enter … or, re-enter … new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. 

O'Brien has essentially been charged with the duty of repairing what had become a fractured offense under previous offensive play caller Matt Patricia. In Patricia’s lone season at the command post, the Pats offense regressed from one showing significant promise (in 2021) to a subpar unit dwelling among the NFL's bottom teams.

However, O’Brien’s structured, disciplined approach is expected to yield marked improvement for several of New England’s veterans on offense, while adding notable complementary pieces such as receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki. 

With a new coach at the helm, and a rebirth of confidence among the skill positions, here is a look at three Patriots with the potential of being the team’s MVP on offense in 2023.

Hunter Henry/Mike Gesicki

Listing two players in this spot might be seen as a bit of a cheat. However, the Pats dynamic duo of ‘tight endage’ have a chance to play a major role in rejuvenating the Patriots offense.

Logistically, Gesicki is a textbook fit in O'Brien's offense, which typically creates space and mismatches for bigger pass-catchers. Both Gesicki at 6-6, 247 and fellow tight end Hunter Henry at 6-5, 250, certainly meet the criteria. In fact, Gesicki’s ability to power his way into contested-catch situations will be particularly useful in the red zone. The ex-Miami Dolphin finished second among all tight ends in contested catches in both 2020 and 2021, earning 61 in both seasons combined. By comparison, Patriots tight ends have found the end zone just 15 times over the past four seasons, with Henry responsible for nine of them in 2021. 

Speaking of which, Henry is expected to benefit from his new teammate, as well. The 28-year-old finished the 2021 season having compiled 603 yards on 50 catches with the aforementioned nine touchdowns. Though his numbers dipped a bit during his second year with the Pats, he still held atop the depth chart at the position with 41 catches for 509 yards and two touchdowns.

Judging by the time they they have spent working in tandem during Patriots offseason practices, it seems to be a safe bet that O’Brien intends to use two-tight end sets quite frequently in 2023. 

Rhamondre Stevenson

While quarterbacks will always snag the headlines, Stevenson may make the case for being the most important cog in the Pats’ wheel of offense. The former Oklahoma Sooner emerged as New England’s feature back in 2022 by amassing 1,040 yards with five touchdowns, while averaging five yards per carry in the lead role. He also caught 69 passes for 421 yards and one touchdown as a backfield receiver. 

Stevenson is at his best when blending his physical, powerful running style with his vision and athleticism to make tacklers miss in short-yardage situational runs. He also demonstrates an uncanny knack for utilizing the open field as an available target from both the backfield, as well as the line of scrimmage. Whether it be as a carrier or receiver, the third-year back will remain a focal point of the Pats offense for the foreseeable future.  

Still, Stevenson will require the occasional respite. Accordingly, health, and potential overuse, may be the most pressing concerns surrounding him heading into 2023. Second-year backs Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris, along with veteran Ty Montgomery may be called upon to help with his workload. However, even if the Pats decide to secure the services of a prominent free agent, Stevenson is — and will remain — the unquestioned top back in New England for the upcoming season. 

Mac Jones

Though he entered 2022 on the heels of an impressive rookie campaign, Jones struggled to rekindle his previous success in his second year. Ultimately, he finished the season with 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions,

For all of the discussion surrounding the Patriots need to change their passing game, O’Brien’s hiring seems to indicate a return to a timing-based scheme, predicated on vertical routes and completions from quick, accurate throws. While the Patricia-led regime attempted to incorporate more zone reads into their repertoire, the quick-game (or, using the run to facilitate play-action passes) still seems to be where Jones it at is best.

It is also where O’Brien, shines as well.

During his time at Alabama, Jones was quite proficient at running this type of offense. With a strong supporting cast of playmakers around him, Jones was able to create plays by leading his receivers under the defense, releasing the ball quickly and delivering it accurately. This gave his playmakers the space they needed to catch and run with the football. Not only did it put points on the board, it also helped to keep the quarterback ahead of the blitz and out of duress.

Throughout New England’s offseason workout program, Jones wasted little time in demonstrating his progress. During mandatory minicamp practice sessions, he demonstrated accuracy, command and added strength on nearly all of his throws. Through it all, Jones is beginning to develop a solid working relationship with O’Brien, while being given greater responsibility to command the offense at the line of scrimmage. 

Jones’ desire to maintain his poise and his drive to constantly improve continue to make him the ideal steward of New England’s timing-based passing game, predicated on vertical routes and completions from quick, accurate throws. His performance thus far in initial team drills provides palpable hope of a bright future for New England at the quarterback position this season. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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