Where do Patriots rank among the NFL's most desired OC openings?

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Change is coming in New England. As our Tom E. Curran reported Wednesday, the Patriots are expected to make offensive coaching "reassignments" following a meeting between team owner Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick, meaning Matt Patricia likely will be replaced as the team's play-caller.

The Patriots aren't the only team making offensive changes, though. As of Thursday, six other NFL teams have offensive coordinator vacancies entering the offseason.

That got us thinking: Which of these nine teams is the best spot for an OC candidate? Bill O'Brien has been linked to New England and has ties to the area, but does another team present a more desirable opportunity?

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We'll try to answer that question by ranking the current situations of each team, from the club's 2022 record to its starting quarterback to its offensive personnel and more.

9. Arizona Cardinals

Team offensive ranks in 2022: 323.5 total yards/game (22nd); 213.3 passing yards/game (18th); 110.2 rushing yards/game (22nd); 20.0 points/game (21st)

Projected starting quarterback (contract situation): Kyler Murray (five-year, $230.5 million contract through 2028)

Head coach; general manager: TBD; Monti Ossenfort

The Cardinals are in a tough spot, to say the least. Murray is expected to miss the beginning of the 2023 season after tearing his ACL in Week 14. But he just signed a massive contract extension, so he's likely not going anywhere.

That means the new OC will have to coach Murray's backup (likely Colt McCoy) all offseason, then transition mid-season to a talented but temperamental QB who's led Arizona to just one winning season in the last four years. Oh, and Arizona also needs a new head coach and GM.

8. Indianapolis Colts

Team offensive ranks in 2022: 311.6 total yards/game (27th); 201.9 passing yards/game (23rd); 109.8 rushing yards/game (23rd); 17.0 points/game (T-30th)

Projected starting quarterback; contract situation: Sam Ehlinger (four-year, $3.6 million contract through 2024) or draft pick/free agent

Head coach; general manager: TBD; Chris Ballard

Not much to get excited about here. The head coach is gone, the quarterback situation is up in the air, and the star running back, Jonathan Taylor, is coming off a season-ending ankle injury.

The good news is that the Colts have the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, so there could be appeal in working with a young QB like C.J. Stroud or Will Levis. But there won't be much offensive firepower around him.

7. New York Jets

Team offensive ranks in 2022: 318.2 total yards/game (25th); 219.0 passing yards/game (15th); 99.2 rushing yards/game (25th); 17.4 points/game (29th)

Projected starting quarterback; contract situation: Zach Wilson (four-year, $35.2 million contract through 2024)

Head coach; general manager: Robert Saleh; Joe Douglas

Zach Wilson has a strong arm. That's the good news. The bad news is he's 8-14 as the Jets' starter through two seasons with 15 touchdown passes to 18 interceptions and has gotten benched for both Mike White and Joe Flacco.

If an OC candidate believes he can salvage Wilson's career, there's promising talent around him in running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. But that's a very big "if."

6. Washington Commanders

Team offensive ranks in 2022: 330.3 total yards/game (20th); 204.2 passing yards/game (21st); 126.1 rushing yards/game (12th); 18.9 points/game (24th)

Projected starting quarterback; contract situation: Carson Wentz (four-year, $128 million contract through 2024 with potential out in 2023) or Taylor Heinicke (pending free agent) or Sam Howell

Head coach; general manager: Ron Rivera; Martin Mayhew

"Unstable" is a good word to describe the Commanders' offense entering the offseason. It seems likely Washington will move on from Wentz, but will it bring back Heinicke in free agency, give Howell the reins or pursue a QB via the draft or free agency?

The Commanders boasted a strong running game in 2022, but there were philosophical differences that led to Scott Turner's firing. While Washington boasts playoff potential thanks to a strong defense, there's a lot to sort out on the other side of the ball.

5. Tennessee Titans

Team offensive ranks in 2022: 296.8 total yards/game (30th); 171.4 passing yards/game (30th); 125.4 rushing yards/game (13th); 17.5 points/game (28th)

Projected starting quarterback; contract situation: Ryan Tannehill (four-year, $118 million contract through 2023)

Head coach; general manager: Mike Vrabel; TBD

If you like designing run plays, this is the job for you. The Titans feature one of the NFL's worst passing attacks but one of its best running backs in Derrick Henry. There's also a relatively easy path to the postseason in the AFC South.

The idea of working with an aging Ryan Tannehill or an unproven Malik Willis may not appeal to some candidates, but someone who values the run game will fit right in here.

4. New England Patriots

Team offensive ranks in 2022: 314.6 total yards/game (26th); 208 passing yards/game (20th); 106.6 rushing yards/game (24th); 21.4 points/game (17th)

Projected starting quarterback (contract situation): Mac Jones (four-year, $15.6 million contract through 2024)

Head coach; general manager: Bill Belichick (both)

Here's the case for the New England OC job: The bar is low. Jones led the Patriots to the playoffs as a rookie under Josh McDaniels before regressing dramatically with Patricia calling the plays. So, if someone like O'Brien comes in and helps get Jones back on track in his third season, that's a big resume-booster. And while the Patriots aren't loaded on offense, there are some quality skill players in Rhamondre Stevenson, Hunter Henry and Jakobi Meyers (if the team brings him back in free agency).

The caveat? There's a good chance Patricia and quarterbacks coach Joe Judge stay on the coaching staff, which could muddy the waters a bit. And working for Belichick is no picnic.

3. Baltimore Ravens

Team offensive ranks in 2022: 338.8 total yards/game (16th); 178.8 passing yards/game (28th); 160 rushing yards/game (2nd); 20.6 points/game (19th)

Projected starting quarterback; contract situation: Lamar Jackson (unrestricted free agent, franchise tag eligible)

Head coach; general manager: John Harbaugh; Eric DeCosta

The Ravens' ranking on this list is totally dependent on Jackson's status with the franchise. The 2018 NFL MVP and the Ravens were unable to agree on a long-term extension during the season. Jackson played 2022 on his fifth-year option, and now that his rookie contract is over, he'll want to get paid huge money (and rightly so). The Ravens could place the franchise tag on Jackson if an extension can't be worked out.

When healthy, Jackson is a top 10 quarterback who can dominate defenses through the air or on the ground. He has tallied 125 total touchdowns in five seasons. The concern with Jackson is durability. He missed five games in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, plus Baltimore's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wild Card Round last week. 

In addition to Jackson, the Ravens have a quality offensive line and a strong run game. Baltimore has finished top three in rushing yards per game for five straight years. Mark Andrews is one of the league's top tight ends, too. One weak spot is the wide receiver group, which lacks a true No. 1 player.

If Jackson is traded, this job obviously becomes much less desirable. But as long as he's there, this is a fantastic opportunity for the next OC in Baltimore.

2. Los Angeles Rams

Team offensive ranks in 2022: 280.5 total yards/game (32nd); 182.8 passing yards/game (27th); 97.7 rushing yards/game (27th); 18.1 points/game (27th)

Projected starting quarterback; contract situation: Matthew Stafford (four-year, $160 million contract through 2026)

Head coach; general manager: Sean McVay (for now); Les Snead

Yes, the Rams went 5-12 this season. Yes, they ranked dead last in yards per game. But they also have one of the most competent quarterbacks on this list in Stafford, who led Los Angeles to a Super Bowl title just two seasons ago.

With Cooper Kupp expected to be back healthy in 2023 and Cam Akers showing promise late in 2022, there's plenty of opportunity for an OC to lead an offensive turnaround next fall.

1. Los Angeles Chargers

Team offensive ranks in 2022: 359.3 total yards/game (9th); 269.6 passing yards/game (3rd); 89.6 rushing yards/game (30th); 23 points/game (13th)

Projected starting quarterback; contract situation: Justin Herbert (still on rookie deal, $8.5 million cap hit in 2023)

Head coach; general manager: Brandon Staley; Tom Telesco

Justin Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He's also just 24 years old and still has plenty of room for improvement.

Herbert is surrounded by plenty of weapons, too. Running back Austin Ekeler is an elite dual-threat player who tallied 1,637 total yards (915 rushing, 722 receiving) and 18 total touchdowns (13 rushing, five receiving) in 2022, while Keenan Allen, Josh Palmer and Mike Williams are all quality receivers.

There's a ton of talent on this Chargers offense, but there are several issues that must be addressed as well. The new offensive coordinator needs to find ways to generate a more consistent rushing attack after Los Angeles finish third-to-last in rushing yards per game in 2022.

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