Sign up for Patriots updates🏈
Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during football season.
Albert Breer explained why Bill O’Brien could return to the Patriots in 2023
"I think that could be in play here, absolutely."
The Bruins defeated the Flyers 4-1 on Thursday. David Krejci notched a pair of goals to help Boston stay undefeated at home to start the season.
Tonight, the Celtics face the Pelicans in New Orleans at 8:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the Patriots face the Jets at Gillette Stadium at 1 p.m.
The possibility of Bill O’Brien’s future return to the Patriots: Given the struggles of the Patriots’ offense for much of the season — New England ranks near the bottom of the league in both total offense and turnovers — speculation about the future of the team’s offensive coaching roles is likely to continue.
Advertisement:
The latest version came from NFL reporter Albert Breer, speaking during a recent appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand.”
“I think what happens at Alabama is interesting, and I think everybody here should be paying attention to it,” Breer explained. “Is it possible that Nick [Saban] and Bill [Belichick] talk and [Bill] O’Brien wants to come back [to New England] and Nick maybe feels like it’s time to change their offense a little bit after, God forbid, they lose two games?
“I think that could be in play here, absolutely,” Breer added of a possible O’Brien-Patriot reunion. “And that’s why I would watch really closely the college coaching carousel. [Bill] O’Brien’s name has been mentioned for some of these jobs, like Nebraska’s one. Nebraska is said to be interested in him. So if he has opportunity with some of the college jobs and doesn’t even interview, then that tells you he wants to go back to the NFL.”
O’Brien, 53, was the Patriots’ offensive coordinator in 2011, having held other offensive assistant roles on New England’s staff going back to 2007. He’s currently the offensive coordinator under Saban at Alabama.
Following the 2021 season, O’Brien’s name was linked with the vacant role on the Patriots’ staff left by Josh McDaniels’ departure to the Raiders, but Belichick ultimately decided to give Joe Judge and Matt Patricia elevated roles with the offense.
Advertisement:
Trivia: Which future New York Jets second-round pick played for Bill O’Brien in his final season as head coach of Penn State in 2013?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Quarterback.
More from Boston.com:
- David Krejci scores twice in 3rd, Bruins beat Flyers 4-1
- 5 Jets players to watch during rematch against Patriots in Foxborough
- Bode Miller on his ‘gnarly’ youth at Cannon Mountain, and why he’s leaning into ski design
- Rodgers, NFL players urge league to nix turf, go with grass
- The luxurious situation of a Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line
- What the Jets are saying about the Patriots as the AFC East race heats up
- Adrian Wojnarowski explained why he thinks Joe Mazzulla will become the Celtics’ ‘long-term coach’
- Judge wins AL MVP in runaway; Goldschmidt takes NL prize
- Verlander, Alcantara are unanimous Cy Young Award winners
- Sale of beer with alcohol banned at World Cup stadiums
Jim Montgomery’s postgame press conference:
Here’s the trailer for “80 For Brady,” which hits theaters in Feb. 2023:
With snow forecasts of up to four feet in Buffalo, the NFL moved the Bills game to Detroit:
On this day: In 1997, the Red Sox traded for Pedro Martinez. Boston sent pitching prospects Carl Pavano and Tony Armas Jr. to the Montreal Expos in exchange for the freshly crowned ’97 Cy Young Award winner.
It would prove to be one of the best trades in team history, as Martinez continued his dominance with two more Cy Young wins in 1999 and 2000. He was also a central component of the eventual 2004 World Series winner.
Daily highlight: Tomas Nosek applied a skillful finish after a captivating sequence of passes from the Bruins. Hampus Linholm’s rush highlighted the play.
Trivia answer: Christian Hackenberg
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com