When Joe Judge departed for the New York Giants’ head coaching job, the New England Patriots didn’t have a clear plan for their offensive coordinator gig in the event Josh McDaniels left. And the position may prove more important this offseason than any of the past 15 years.
McDaniels and the Cleveland Browns looked like a good match on paper — until owner Jimmy Haslam reportedly made a handful of alarming request for his next head coach — and New England looked like it might have to replace him. Their best candidate was probably the currently-unemployed Chad O’Shea, who the Miami Dolphins fired earlier this offseason. He served as the Patriots’ receivers coach when Brian Flores made the move from New England to Miami. Flores brought on O’Shea as an offensive coordinator before deciding the Patriots offense was too complicated for a young quarterback — and Miami is looking toward a youth movement.
To make things worse, the Patriots might have had a harder time retaining quarterback Tom Brady, currently a 2020 free agency, if they lost McDaniels. Brady and McDaniels have a profoundly close relationship. A McDaniels exit might’ve led to the same from Brady.
Instead, the Patriots retained McDaniels, who will return to New England in 2020, barring an unforeseen firing and hiring in the coming weeks. Even if McDaniels can’t keep Brady with the Patriots — which may be what’s best for both parties — New England will have stability on offense. Maybe they’ll be replacing their quarterback for the first time in 20 years. But they won’t have to also replace their offensive coordinator. There’s some solace that McDaniels can build an offense around whoever is next at quarterback, considering he’s had success developing and playing with Matt Cassel, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett.
If the Patriots have to bring in a rookie (like Georgia’s Jacob Fromm), a trade target (like the Bengals’ Andy Dalton or the Dolphins’ Josh Rosen) or a free agent (like Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston), then they’ll need a bright mind to get that signal-caller acclimated. Maybe the Patriots want to keep working with Jarrett Stidham, a 2019 fourth-round pick. Again, that’s another reason why McDaniels will prove handy. No matter the scenario, the Patriots will be glad they have McDaniels.
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