Raiders expected to hire Patriots offensive coordinator as head coach

The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to hire former Patriots’ OC Josh McDaniels as their head coach, according to Adam Schefter. The two sides are still reportedly finalizing contract details, but McDaniels is expected to be their headman next season.

The search for a new head coach began four months ago when Jon Gruden was forced to resign due to insensitive comments made in emails around a decade ago.

Many people in the national media have trumped for Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia to remain as the head coach of the team. There’s a good reason behind that. He had a great relationship with his players, and he helped guide the team to the NFL Playoffs in the middle of a season that was full of turmoil. Many of the current players on the team have publicly vouched for him to be the new head coach.

The Raiders officially requested to interview McDaniels on Thursday, per Schefter, but had also interviewed the Patriots personnel executive Dave Ziegler and others, but it seems they didn’t have to take long to come to a collective decision.

McDaniels has earned a reputation as one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL, which is likely why the Raiders are interested in his services. He flirted with the Indianapolis Colts’ head coaching job back in 2018. McDaniels actually did more than flirt with the job, he backed out of the deal at the last minute. It was due to having control over certain logistics and operations of behind-the-scenes issues.

His reputation as a play-caller in the NFL speaks for itself, but his track record as a head coach (Denver Broncos) was very mediocre. In just two seasons with the Broncos, McDaniels had an overall record of 11-17. That being said, the Patriots had one of the most prolific offenses in the league last year with a rookie under center.

McDaniels has been the Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since 2012. He also had another stint in New England from 2001-2008 in several different roles and was on staff during all six of the Patriots Super Bowl victories during the Tom Brady era.

Bill Belichick will now be looking for a new offensive coordinator for the first time in over a decade. According to Adam Schefter, a name to keep an eye on is former Texans head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien.