Scott Zolak: If Josh McDaniels is back, Mac Jones could be too
The Patriots will be in search of an offensive coordinator for the third consecutive offseason as Bill O’Brien has agreed to become the play caller at Ohio State, according to reports. With that news, speculation has run wild about who will take over the offense in New England. Our own Scott Zolak had one idea that might not make too many Patriots fans happy:
‘They might be bringing him back’
“I’ve got an epiphany on all this. I don’t know if it’s the cups of coffee. Good night’s sleep to settle my thoughts or just be clear about this. For all you people in love with Mayo telling Steve Burton ‘we’re going to draft somebody very important, a very important position’.
“I love Josh McDaniels, but I think Josh is honestly going to go with Bill [Belichick]. But if they jump on this and hire Josh back, they might not be taking a quarterback at the top. They might be bringing him back to try and rekindle what Mac Jones did at $2.7 million and you could get Bo Nix in a second round or something. I’m telling you. I just look at everything and take everything into consideration. He was one of three players at Mayo’s introductory press conference. Who told him to go there? He’s around. Like at the end of the year, we just all assume he’s gone. We’re never going to see him again. He’s visible at the most important transfer of power that this organization has had in 24 years. If they go and hire McDaniels, I’m just telling you – and I’ve heard this from somebody else – don’t be shocked if [Mac is] here next year. Which would tell me they’re not going to invest at number three, because Josh is going to run the same old offense. Now, they’ll have other tweaks to it, but my expectations would be Mac would be a placeholder and you would develop a guy because you’re not spending a top three pick on him. You’re going to go get a guy like Harrison or you’re going to get the tackle.”
LISTEN: Could Josh McDaniels return to the Patriots in 2024?
Bill O'Brien becomes latest coach to part ways with the Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
During his introductory press conference on Wednesday, new New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters that “everything’s under evaluation” when asked about naming coordinators for the upcoming season. Interviews with defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator candidates seemed to signal replacements in those spots, but until Thursday evening there was no news on the offensive coordinator position, which Bill O’Brien held since being hired at this time last year.
On Thursday night, we learned O’Brien would be one-and-done in that position. As first reported by ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, O’Brien is leaving the Patriots to take the offensive coordinator job at Ohio State.
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Last week, it was reported that O’Brien was still under contract with the Patriots for next year. So this move represents him leaving the organization, rather than simply needing a new job.
O’Brien, 54, was hired by the Patriots last year to fix an offense that has stalled under de facto offensive coordinator Matt Patricia the year before. However O’Brien was unable to elevate the group. The Patriots finished tied for dead-last in the NFL with 13.9 points per game, 30th in total yards, and 30th in team passer rating in 2023.
