The Patriots offense is undergoing a transformation under new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. His biggest challenge will be adapting the offense to the players on the roster, as the team faces uncertainty at several key positions. With no starting tackle under contract, veteran tight ends set to become free agents, and a lack of a true No. 1 receiver, the quarterback position is also up in the air.
Van Pelt emphasized that his offensive scheme will be player-dependent, aiming to put them in positions to succeed. Whether the Patriots draft a quarterback at No. 3 or stick with Mac Jones, Van Pelt will tailor the offense to fit the quarterback’s skill set. For example, a pocket passer like North Carolina’s Drake Maye would fit well in a West Coast system, while an athletic quarterback like LSU’s Jayden Daniels would benefit from designed run plays.
New head coach Jerod Mayo praised Van Pelt’s ability to adapt his offense to his players. Van Pelt comes to New England with a plan to run a similar West Coast system to what the Cleveland Browns used under Kevin Stefanski. This system is expected to be more straightforward than the Ernhardt-Perkins scheme the Patriots ran under Josh McDaniels, which was known for its complexity.
Ultimately, the success of the Patriots’ offense will depend on the quarterback they have on the roster and how well Van Pelt can tailor his scheme to fit their strengths.
