NFL Rumors: Former Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels Considering Return to New England Patriots

The New England Patriots may be banking on a reunion to turn around their recent struggles. According to the Athletic's Jeff Howe, former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels is considering a return to the team he won six Super Bowls with should current head coach Bill Belichick be retained.

Josh McDaniels could return to Patriots if Bill Belichick remains as coach: Sources https://t.co/5s2kI3hGgK
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 9, 2024

McDaniels began his pro coaching career as an assistant with the Patriots way back in 2001, Belichick's second year with the team. McDaniels eventually climbed his way to the role of offensive coordinator, officially earning the title in 2006. He called plays for the Patriots' record-breaking 2007 squad, piloted them to competence through quarterback Tom Brady's Week 1 ACL tear in 2008, and eventually earned a head coaching opportunity with the Denver Broncos in 2009.

That ended in disaster. McDaniels was fired after only 28 games and an 11-17 record. He served one similarly ill-fated year as the offensive coordinator of the then St Louis Rams in 2011 but was let go after his squad finished the season scoring an NFL-worst 12.1 points per game. McDaniels immediately latched on again with the Patriots, serving as an assistant through their 2011 postseason run before taking back full offensive coordinator duties in 2012.

McDaniels picked right where he left off in New England, coaching the Patriots to an NFL-best 34.8 points per game in 2012 and seven consecutive top-five finishes in points scored. He eventually earned another head coaching opportunity with the Raiders but was let go after posting a 9-16 record through 25 games.

Belichick and McDaniels getting the band back together would probably be best for both parties, assuming Belichick is staying with the Patriots. What limited success the two have had without Brady has come together: of Belichick's three winning seasons in 11 years as a head coach without the three-time MVP as his leading passer, McDaniels was the offensive coordinator for two of them. McDaniels, meanwhile, has never participated in a winning season as a coordinator or head coach without Belichick. Simply put, they may need each other.