Report: Josh McDaniels might return to Patriots if Invoice Belichick stays

Patriots

Josh McDaniels was part of Belichick’s teaching employees throughout six Tremendous Bowl title runs.

If Robert Kraft and Patriots possession determine to retain Invoice Belichick for a twenty fifth season in Foxborough, the legendary head coach might have an previous pal again with him on the sideline.

In line with The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, if Belichick stays in New England this offseason, the Patriots’ long-time offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels might return to the group in some capability.

McDaniels is at present a free agent after getting fired by the Las Vegas Raiders in October after lower than two seasons on the job because the crew’s head coach.

“Belichick might want to lay out a agency plan to dramatically enhance the on-field product after the Patriots’ worst document (4-13) of Kraft’s possession. A part of that plan might embody a reunion with former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is taken into account a candidate to return, sources near the state of affairs mentioned,” Howe wrote. “McDaniels and Belichick have remained shut, and McDaniels has lengthy been one among Kraft’s favourite members of the group.”

Howe added in his piece that Belichick and Kraft met on Monday, with the “expectation” that they’ll meet at the least as soon as extra.

McDaniels was a fixture on Invoice Belichick’s teaching employees all through the franchise’s two-decade dynasty. The 47-year-old McDaniels coached in some capability on all six of New England’s Tremendous Bowl seasons, spending 19 whole years with the group.

McDaniels was noticed coming into the VIP gate at Gillette Stadium on Sunday for New England’s season finale towards the Jets, according to Kyle Hightower of The Associated Press

McDaniels served as New England’s offensive coordinator in two separate stints from 2006-08 and 2012-21. Together with serving to to craft a deadly offense for a number of seasons alongside Tom Brady, McDaniels’ last season in Foxborough additionally noticed rookie Mac Jones earn a Professional Bowl nod in 2021.

Since McDaniels left for Las Vegas, New England’s offense has been nothing wanting a catastrophe. After rating twenty sixth within the NFL in yards per sport (314.6) and seventeenth in factors per sport (21.4) below Matt Patricia in 2022, New England bottomed out this 12 months — tying the Panthers for the worst offense within the league at 13.9 factors per sport. 

If McDaniels was to rejoin New England for a 3rd stint with the group, it stays to be seen what would occur with present offensive coordinator Invoice O’Brien, whose anticipated return final offseason didn’t cease Mac Jones (or this whole offense’s) regression in 2023. 

However earlier than McDaniels decides on whether or not one more return is within the playing cards with the Patriots, Kraft and Co. might want to determine their subsequent transfer with Belichick, who at present stays below contract with New England.