He’s back for a third tour as offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, and Josh McDaniels’ blueprint is already expected to impact how often his unit uses one of the more popular formations in the NFL.
Specifically, the Pats “will likely use three-wide receiver formations less than the rest of the league,” according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. It’s a reasonable expectation for two reasons.
First, the Patriots simply don’t have enough proven commodities on the depth chart to justify putting a trio of wideouts onto the field. Second, McDaniels has long shown a preference for multiple-tight end sets, a trend he can continue thanks to returning veterans Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, who “looks like he’ll be the No. 2” in two-tight end formations, per Graff.
So far, McDaniels is following a familiar pattern ahead of the preseason opener against the Washington Commanders on Friday, August 8, but there are also compelling reasons to think the play-caller might alter his formula.
Those reasons begin with more big-play potential outside the numbers and the core talents of second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Josh McDaniels Must Adjust Formula for Drake Maye
Two-tight end sets worked brilliantly for McDaniels when Tom Brady was at the controls of his offense, but Brady is a different quarterback to Maye. While TB12 was the classic pocket-based passer who served the dictates of his system and the in-game situation, Maye is more of a live-wire.
Maye’s somebody prepared to play off-script and trust his arm talent to turn seemingly losing plays into big gains. He’ll also trust his legs, something McDaniels is already planning to make a feature of his strategy this season.
Turning Maye loose as a runner is one thing, but McDaniels must also find ways to unleash the signal-caller’s arm strength to target routes outside the numbers. That should be easier now the Patriots have more speed on the perimeter.
Patriots Have Weapons to Expand Passing Game
The speed starts with All-Pro Stefon Diggs, who has looked all the way back after tearing his ACL during last season. As Graff put it, if Diggs “can stay healthy, another 1,000-yard season isn’t just in play but might be likely.”
Diggs has made a career taking the top off of defenses, and the 31-year-old showed he’d lost none of his vertical speed by tracking this deep ball from Maye at training camp, highlighted by ABC6 reporter Ian Steele.
Fortunately for the Patriots, Diggs isn’t the only burner flashing potential for going long. Rookie Kyle Williams has “made the most explosive plays of any receiver in camp, but he also has more drops than any receiver. For a team that lacks explosiveness, you’ve probably got to take the bad with the good and just get him on the field,” per Graff.
Having Diggs and Williams on the field together will make defenses respect the deep ball against this Patriots offense. Especially if McDaniels also deployed Kayshon Boutte, who averaged 13.7 yards per reception last season, in the same lineup.
Alternatively, McDaniels could complement Diggs and Williams with DeMario Douglas, who is aptly described by Graff as “pretty much a slot-only guy.” Having Diggs and Williams run coverage deep would surely open up space underneath for Douglas to exploit.
It’s one more way McDaniels can defy expectations and surprise teams with a more expansive plan for a new-look passing game. A plan based on more than the predictability of simply leaning on “Mr. Reliable” Henry and similarly-crafted Hooper.
There’s still a place for Henry and two-tight end sets. Particularly in the red zone, where Henry often does his best work, but McDaniels can’t restrict improved talent at receiver, nor Maye’s aggressive playing style.
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