Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels could return to one of his old teams on one specific condition, according to a new report.
McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler were both fired midseason after a 3-5 start. The 47-year-old McDaniels left Sin City with a disappointing 9-16 record, a giant underachievement considering he had inherited a 10-win playoff team.
According to a report from Jeff Howe of The Athletic, McDaniels could return to the New England Patriots on the condition that Bill Belichick returns as head coach:
“Belichick will need to lay out a firm plan to dramatically improve the on-field product after the Patriots’ worst record (4-13) of Kraft’s ownership. Part of that plan may include a reunion with former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is considered a candidate to return, sources close to the situation said.
McDaniels, who has worked with Belichick for two stints spanning parts of 19 seasons, was fired as head coach of the Raiders in October. McDaniels and Belichick have remained close, and McDaniels has long been one of Kraft’s favorite members of the organization.”
The Patriots finished a woeful 4-13 this season, marking the franchise’s worst record since the 1992 group that went 2-14. 2023 marks New England’s third losing and non-playoff season in four years, as well as the club’s fifth straight campaign without a playoff victory.
Many expect owner Robert Kraft to part ways with Belichick following a dismal year, though it remains to be seen what his final decision will be. If Belichick stays, it certainly makes sense t o bring back McDaniels.
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Though McDaniels has never cut it as a head coach (11-17 with the Denver Broncos from 2009 to 2010), the Patriots offense was consistently a top-tier group during his run as the offensive coordinator.
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that quarterback Mac Jones played at a high level under McDaniels in 2021, only to unravel entirely following the latter’s departure for Vegas.
