The New England Patriots are in need of internal changes after failing to make much progress in their rebuild. The team clinched last place in the AFC East and is on track to hold first place overall.
As bad as the current situation is, the Patriots have some reasons to be optimistic heading into the offseason. Drake Maye is the franchise quarterback. They control their own destiny for the No. 1 draft pick and have nearly $140 million in cap space entering free agency.
New England needs the right leadership around the coaching staff to capitalize on these opportunities, which raises the question of Jerod Mayo’s future as head coach in Foxboro.
For this exercise, we’ll look at who the Patriots could turn to for a new offensive coordinator if they choose to move on from Alex Van Pelt. His work in Maye’s development should be commended, even if his poor playing skills and overall offensive dysfunction that might be enough to make a change.
With that, here are three potential candidates the Patriots could consider this offseason.
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JOSH MCDANIELS
This should be the dream scenario for Patriots fans.
Josh McDaniels the head coach? Run. Josh McDaniels, the coordinator? New England should (again) be all-in.
Everyone knows what McDaniels accomplished at the same time as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick brought championships to New England. It was after this era that further solidified McDaniels’ value as a coordinator.
He had Cam Newton on a roll before the veteran contracted COVID-19 during the 2020 season and brought Mac Jones to a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie during the 2021 season. Maye needs competent playmaking and a trusted quarterback coach to inherit his development.
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The question is whether or not McDaniels wants to pursue another stint in New England. The Patriots would benefit greatly from his return to the organization.
BRIAN DABOL
The current head coach of the New York Giants has ties to the Patriots as the team’s former tight ends coach during the team’s championship-winning seasons. He rose to coordinator status with the Buffalo Bills and took Josh Allen to the next level among NFL quarterbacks.
That offensive prowess earned him the Giants’ head coaching job, although three years in a dysfunctional organization could land him back on the market. If the Patriots could convince him to return to the offensive coordinator role, it would be huge for the growth of a needy offense.
NICK CALEY
It’s a tougher sell considering Caley already turned down the job last season, although the Patriots have a slightly easier sell this time around with the chance to work with Maye.
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Is that and the offseason upside enough to pry Caley out of his role on Sean McVay’s team with the Los Angeles Rams?
