Newly hired offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt brought an offense to the West Coast that the Patriots had never run before.
Van Pelt, who coached five other NFL teams, served as OC for the Cleveland Browns during their marquee West Coast schedule from 2020 to 2023. During the 53-year-old’s tenure, Cleveland reached the playoffs twice in four seasons. Most recently, in 2023, the Browns reached the Wild Card with 39-year-old Joe Flacco at quarterback.
West Coast’s scheme is based on timing, defensive play and precise routing. He relies on short passing plays and forces the defense to cover the field from sideline to sideline.
Unlike Air Force One, which prioritizes deep balls and quick possessions, the West Coast plan involves a systematic, tactical and creative approach to the game. The best example of a West Coast offense is the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, who ranked second in yards per game (398.4) and points per game (28.9) in the 2023 regular season.San Francisco’s success with QB Brock Purdy, the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and the end of Van Pelt with Flacco are positive signs for the Patriots.
The Patriots are expected to acquire a new starting QB to replace Mack in the draft or free agency. Jones/Bailey Jaffe. With just over $66 million in cap space and a new head coach in Jerrod Mayo, the Patriots may not have as much talent as San Francisco, but they have a new direction on offense. Now they need a player to do that job.
