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Josh McDaniels is already changing the New England Patriots’ passing game.
Josh McDaniels hasn’t taken long to make changes to the passing game for the New England Patriots, changes evident at training camp and involving new players emphasized on more vertical routes.
The observation was made by Patriots.com Writer Paul Perillo. He noted “there seemed to be an emphasis on getting the running backs in space downfield in the passing game.”
McDaniels’ greater emphasis involved backfield mates, veteran Antonio Gibson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. The results were promising, with Perillo describing how “during the 7-on-7 drill, Antonio Gibson raced past Spillane on a wheel route, but Maye’s bomb was slightly overthrown and glanced off his fingertips. Henderson also got loose on a wheel, but Dobbs similarly misfired. Henderson later was able to make the grab when he shook loose with a nice stop-and-go move for a big play.”
Running backs were a feature of the passing game during McDaniels’ first two stints as offensive coordinator, but most of those backs generally thrived turning short passes into longer gains. Expanding those route concepts makes sense because of the skill-sets of Gibson and Henderson.
Josh McDaniels Changes Good for Antonio Gibson
Gibson’s background as a wide receiver early in his college career means he’s comfortable splitting out and getting vertical on the perimeter. Attacking coverage deep is something the former Washington Commanders RB1 didn’t do too often last season, but Gibson still has some big-play flair in the tank.
Certainly enough for the Patriots to resist the idea of severing ties with the dual-threat playmaker. Gibson’s chances of sticking around have been boosted by the change in emphasis to get the ball downfield.
He now “projects as current leader for No. 3 spot (with likelihood of 3 RBs on initial roster),” ahead of $175k undrafted free agent Lan Larison, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Gibson’s experience and versatility not only give him the edge over a rookie who compares favorably to a former Patriots Super Bowl winner. Those same qualities can also help second-year quarterback Drake Maye avoid repeating a familiar problem.
Expect Gibson to follow a similar career path as former McDaniels favorite James White. He was also a converted wide receiver who became invaluable out of the backfield on third downs.
White’s example will even lead to 2025 NFL draft second-round pick Henderson carving out a niche role in this system.
TreVeyon Henderson Perfect for Patriots Tradition
Henderson has been studying White, a smart move for the ex-Ohio State stud who figures to be a feature in this year’s pass attack. It’s already happening at camp, with Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS Media referencing how the rookie “got open deep and spent time out wide” during practice on Saturday, July 26.
Shifting Henderson across the lineup is a good way to isolate his natural explosiveness in favorable coverage matchups. Henderson offers sudden-strike capability to this offense, both on the ground and through the air, but the latter can have more benefit for Maye.
Using Henderson to continue a tradition that made multiple Patriots backs franchise Hall of Famers will help offset the lack of dynamic field-stretchers at other positions. The Pats signed Stefon Diggs in free agency, but the All-Pro wideout is 31 and coming off a torn ACL, while the rest of the depth chart lacks consistency and bluechip talent.
It means McDaniels is likely to continue experimenting with backs like Henderson and Gibson.
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko
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