With eight head-coaching gigs available, it’s almost impossible to go the whole offseason without hearing Josh McDaniels’ name.
The New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator had a spectacular season considering the group he was working with. The Patriots ranked No. 6 in points per game (27.2) and McDaniels did it with a rookie quarterback that didn’t have a true No. 1 receiver to target. James White had an early season-ending injury and Damien Harris struggled with a hamstring injury — but, McDaniels made magic happen.
He’s been with the Patriots since 2001 and had a short stint outside of Foxborough for three years. McDaniels is 45-years-old and he could have a bright future as a head coach, but it isn’t looking like it will be with the Patriots next season because of Bill Belichick’s staying power.
One team that could potentially have interest is the Las Vegas Raiders, and it would make sense for numerous reasons. ESPN’s Adam Schefter discussed this possibility while joining on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.”
“I don’t believe that as of this morning the Raiders have even put in a permission slip. Until they do, it’s not real. But if they do, then I would say it’s on,” Schefter said. “I think Dave Ziegler is right in the thick of that. I think if Dave Ziegler takes that job, it’s only logical to deduce that he would have interest in Josh. So that’s something that just continues to float out there. We’ll see what the Raiders decide to do, but yes, that’s probably wise to pay attention to.”
Ziegler, the Patriots Director of Player Personnel, has been with the team for the past decade.
“I don’t think there’s anything Bill could do to get in the way of Josh becoming head coach of the Raiders, if that’s what Josh wants to do,” Schefter said. “If Josh wants to become the head coach of the Raiders, he’s going to be the head coach of the Raiders — if Dave gets the job. I kind of think there’s a little bit of a connection there between the two. If the Raiders go that direction with Dave, I would think — we’re making assumptions — if Dave gets the job, then why would he not be interested in Josh? And if he’s interested in Josh, I don’t know what Bill could do.”
This is all hypothetical, but anything could happen with what appears to be the end of a phenomenal run for the Patriots.
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