Don’t count out this familiar face in Patriots’ offensive coordinator search
The New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator search might actually depend on Bill Belichick.
Wait, what? The former Pats head coach is now headed elsewhere, after recently parting ways with the team. Belichick has yet to make significant progress on his next gig, but if and when he does land a job, there’s a key name he could be taking along with him.
MORE: Patriots coaching staff interview tracker
It’s a familiar one to Patriots fans: Josh McDaniels. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic as part of the newest “Pats Interference” podcast with Andrew Callahan, there’s a “very strong chance” that McDaniels would go with Belichick to his new head coaching job – but if Belichick somehow does not get hired, then McDaniels “jumps to the top of the list” for the Patriots’ offensive coordinator opening.
Head coach Josh McDaniels (L) of the Las Vegas Raiders and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shake hands as they talk before their game at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
McDaniels’ strongest trait to the Patriots is his familiarity. This would mark his third stint in New England, and 2024 would add up to his 14th (!) season as their offensive coordinator.
His return would, however, not inspire much excitement outside of his most devoted followers. The Patriots’ early list of interviewed candidates, such as the Rams’ Zac Robinson, signified that there could be major changes coming to the Patriots offense, perhaps a reinvention.
McDaniels most certainly would not reinvent things. In fact, if he came back, it may be with an eye toward reuniting him with quarterback Mac Jones. Can’t imagine a lot of Patriots fans would be too amped up about that plan.
But if Howe is saying McDaniels is that strong of a candidate, then it’s probably true. And now, we just wait for what’s next with Belichick.
Read below for more on the Patriots’ top offensive coordinator candidates…
Which offensive coordinator is right for the Patriots?
The New England Patriots need a new offensive coordinator, but some hires make more sense than others.
Depending on what exactly the Patriots are going for with their next OC, they’ll want to identify the candidate with the best mix of experience, skills, pedigree, and potential. Those come in different shapes and sizes. So how do they determine the best choice?
MORE: How will Jerod Mayo resurrect the Patriots offense?
It remains to be seen which route the Pats want to take with the new offensive coordinator, whether it’s someone with years of experience in the role or more of an up-and-comer. Sources: Patriots coach Jerod Mayo will interview Rams assistants Nick Caley and Zac Robinson for New England's OC job this week. Caley interviews tomorrow, Robinson interviews on Tuesday.
Caley coached in New England from 2015-22. Robinson played for the Patriots in 2010.
So, who would be the best choices to become the next offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots? We broke it down to specific criteria, and identified the best fit for each of them, which you can read below…
The Next Big Thing: Zac Robinson
Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson is set to interview for the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator job. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Robinson is on the Patriots’ shortlist of candidates, as he’s reportedly set to interview for the offensive coordinator opening. He’s been on track to become an offensive coordinator ever since joining the Rams, where he’s worked as both a quarterbacks and receivers coach and most recently served as their passing game coordinator.
He should also be a familiar name to Patriots fans who have followed the team in the draft, as a former seventh round pick of the Pats in 2010. But Robinson’s real claim to fame in recent years has been his rise as a promising branch of the growing Sean McVay coaching tree.
The only risk with Robinson, other than his lack of OC experience, is that he could be a flight risk as a future head coaching candidate. But if Robinson came to the Patriots and ended up poached 2-3 years later, that means the team likely had big offensive success under him.
Quarterback Whisperer: Jerrod Johnson
Sep 30, 2022; Thundridge, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson during practice at Hanbury Manor. hasMandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Johnson’s most recent success has come with the Houston Texans, where he served as quarterbacks coach for C.J. Stroud’s historically impressive rookie season. So, he could be on the fast track to bigger and better things.
Johnson has experience in multiple notable coaching trees, including Kyle Shanahan with the 49ers, Andy Reid with Frank Reich’s Colts, and McVay with Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings. And as a former quarterback himself, seems to know what he’s doing at the position.
Shanahan Coaching Tree: Ben McDaniels
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Ben McDaniels of the Houston Texans looks on as the team warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Texans 38-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Not to be confused with Josh. But Ben IS Josh’s younger brother. So, if he got the job, that may annoy certain segments of the Patriots fanbase. But he’s been the Texans’ passing game coordinator for the past two seasons, so one might say he’s done a good job there.
McDaniels would count as a sub-branch of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, as an underling to former 49ers assistant Bobby Slowik. He also has big-time college experience at Michigan, which would help the Pats bring some cutting-edge concepts to the pros.
McVay Coaching Tree: Nick Caley
Jun 14, 2023; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Another familiar name to Patriots fans, Caley could count as part of the Belichick coaching tree, as the Pats’ former tight ends coach from 2017-22. But now that he has a year under his belt in the McVay system in Los Angeles, Caley should be able to impart some of that new-wave knowledge in New England. Even if he can’t be the OC, a return as tight ends coach would make sense.
Reid Coaching Tree: Eric Bieniemy
DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 17: Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy of the Washington Commanders looks at his play calling sheet during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on September 17, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Bieniemy has long been a top choice of the Andy Reid coaching tree to become a head coach. His inability to reach that next level has been one of the league’s great mysteries. But if he can get more money to coordinate the offense in New England, he’d have an opportunity to resurrect a dead operation. That would be quite the feather in his cap.
Frank Reich would be another name to consider from the Reid tree, if he can’t land a head coaching job and needs to reestablish himself.
Hot-Shot College Coach: Liam Coen
Nov 20, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Coen has spent four seasons under McVay with the Rams, including as offensive coordinator, and he’s most recently coached in the college ranks at Kentucky. So, he’d be another hybrid candidate who could bring some knowledge on where the game’s heading, and he’d also check important boxes like coordinating experience and membership in a strong coaching tree.
Experience: Kliff Kingsbury
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Kingsbury may be returning to the NFL as a head coach again, anyway. But if he can only return as a coordinator, he’d be a great addition to any staff. And there’s the added familiarity with the Krafts as a former draft pick of the Patriots.
Familiarity: Josh McDaniels
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders walks off the field after his team’s 25-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Been there, done that. If the Patriots just want to be comfortable and familiar with their pick, McDaniels is the ideal choice. And that’s especially true if their plan at quarterback is to stick with Mac Jones. But ideally, the Pats go in a totally new direction.
