The Patriots plan to increase their offensive pace this season, which will be their second under OC Josh McDaniels (for his latest stint, that is). Last year's offense ranked third-slowest in the league at 30.6 seconds per play. They ranked 24th in 2021 (29.6 seconds), McDaniels' previous most recent Pats season. Before that came a No. 20 ranking in 2020 after eight straight seasons of finishing inside the top 12:
- 2019: 27.9 (11th)
- 2018: 28.0 (seventh)
- 2017: 26.8 (third)
- 2016: 27.9 (12th)
- 2015: 27.2 (eighth)
- 2014: 26.6 (third)
- 2013: 25.8 (fifth)
- 2012: 24.8 (first)
What They're Saying: Let's Knock Defenses Off Balance
TE Hunter Henry: "I just think we'll be able to hopefully unlock the defense a little bit more, maybe see what they're [running] and help us be able to change plays. When you're under 10 seconds [on the play clock], sometimes it's harder to change a play and get into the ideal look that we want to get into."
Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald: "By Maye's own admission, the Patriots couldn't run the optimal play often enough last season, which can only be traced to one of two problems: the quarterback's inability to audible and check plays at the line of scrimmage or his confusion caused by defensive disguise."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: More Plays, More Production
New England should be a lock for some increase in pace, and McDaniels' history suggests that could increase by quite a bit.
The enhanced pace would obviously mean more offensive snaps, which would be good news for everyone on the offense.
Maye's stewardship through last year's Super Bowl run has clearly helped motivate the coaching staff to spend this offseason enhancing the offense. That started with pass-catching additions and now includes increasing the pace.
The takeaway: The Patriots are building a nice runway for Maye to sustain his fantasy success and bring his skill-position teammates with him.
We've boosted our projection for New England's plays per game. Check our fantasy football rankings to see the impact.
