Tom Brady Hoping Michael Floyd Can Pick Up Patriots' Complex Offense Quickly

The New England Patriots took care of the Denver Broncos on Sunday despite an underwhelming passing attack that produced just 188 yards and zero touchdowns.

But help could be on the way in Week 16.

Wide receiver Michael Floyd, whom the Patriots claimed off waivers Thursday, was inactive for Sunday’s 16-3 win. That wasn’t exactly a surprise, especially for quarterback Tom Brady, who didn’t expect the former Arizona Cardinals wideout to learn a new offense overnight.

“Anyone that is brought in this time of year has, I guess, time to make up for,” Brady said Monday morning during his weekly radio appearance on WEEI’s “Kirk & Callahan.” “Just because they haven’t been part of what we’re doing. He’s been in a different offensive system.”

Floyd has some time to get acclimated before New England’s matchup with the New York Jets on Saturday, however. And with Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and rookie Malcolm Mitchell the only other current active members of the Patriots’ thin wide receiver corps, Brady is hoping the five-year veteran can do just that.

“I’m sure he’s going to work hard to get up to speed, and we really only have three receivers on the depth chart right now,” Brady said of Floyd. “It’s space we can use some help. You don’t want to be one injury away from being in two-receiver sets all day. That is a tough place to be, so hopefully Michael can come in and create a role for himself.”

Floyd will have his work cut out for him. He has a short week to learn a complex offense that changes based on matchups, and also has the DUI that got him cut from the Cardinals looming over his head. Brady and the Patriots hope he’s up to the task.

“We are a very game plan-oriented team, so what you may learn one week, there may not be any of those things the following week,” Brady added. “There’s just a lot to pick up from. You never know how people can handle it.”

“… Like I said, that role that (Floyd) creates for himself will be up to him.”