Matt Patricia will have surprising role for Patriots this season

The New England Patriots are really doing the most as they try to fill the shoes of former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told reporters on Monday that assistant Matt Patricia will be part of New England’s offensive coaching staff for the coming season, per Mike Reiss of ESPN. Belichick added that Patricia will work alongside Joe Judge with the offense.

It is a very surprising 180 for Patricia, who is a defensive coach. He was the Patriots’ defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2017 and has focused almost exclusively on defense in his nearly two decades coaching at the NFL level. During Patricia’s forgettable three-year tenure as head coach in Detroit, the Lions were underwhelming offensively as well, never finishing better than 17th in the league in total offense.

Granted, Patricia does have some experience on the offensive side of the ball. He began his coaching career with the Patriots in 2004 as an offensive assistant and later became the team’s assistant offensive line coach before transitioning to defense beginning in 2006. It is also going to be a very all-hands-on-deck approach for New England as they look to compensate for the loss of McDaniels, who left to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Even Belichick himself will be stepping outside of his usual role come next season.

Photo: Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia on the field prior to facing the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports