Wednesday the thinkable happened. For the third time in the past 20 years, Josh McDaniels was named the offensive coordinator by the New England Patriots.
The Patriots are hiring Josh McDaniels to be their offensive coordinator, per source.
A familiar face in New England, McDaniels is back for his third stint with the organization. pic.twitter.com/JyXgqbSCaj
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 21, 2025
He will serve as the OC under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Probably the only coach/team that would hire McDaniels as even a coordinator at this point. I mean there’s a reason he’s twice been fired a few games into his second season as a head coach. Then spent last season out of football.
Some guys are just not meant to be head coaches. McDaniels is probably the most glaring example of that. The Broncos probably could have told the Raiders that three years ago before they made the same mistake and hired McDaniels to be head coach, but the Raiders prefer to be hit with their *own* brick, thank you very much!
What’s funny about McDaniels getting another shot to be an OC is there isn’t a lot of evidence to suggest that he is this brilliant, difference-making offensive mind. At least none that would withstand the placebo test.
People will point to his Super Bowl rings as OC with the Patriots. But it is important to point out that the Patriots have as many Lombardi’s over the past 20+ years withOUT McDaniels as their OC (3) as they do WITH him as OC. And Tom Brady has MORE Super Bowls (4) withOUT McDaniels as OC than he does WITH him.
And if you figure he called the plays with the Broncos and Raiders and was downright terrible doing so in both instances, while alienating his players and everyone else…good luck with that, Patriots. I’m sure the rest of the league is just fine with your decision here.