Black Monday in the NFL came and went without the New England Patriots making a change to their coaching staff. As of now, Bill Belichick remains the head coach, but that could change once he meets with owner Robert Kraft later this week.
For weeks it has been reported that the Patriots would part ways with Belichick, who has been the head coach of the team since 2000. The last few seasons have been rough ones, as New England has missed the postseason in three out of four years without Tom Brady leading the offense.
Belichick certainly has a lot of cache from the six Super Bowl victories that he has, but all good things must come to an end eventually. This offseason could be when the marriage between the Patriots and Belichick ends.
NFL News & Rumors: Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels, Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Updates
However, Belichick sounds like he will have a chance to save his job. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the head coach and quasi general manager of the team will be afforded the chance to lay out a plan to get the franchise back on track. That plan could include bringing back a familiar face.
“According to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft will meet later this week to discuss the franchise’s direction after having an initial discussion on Monday.
Howe adds that Belichick must “lay out a firm plan to dramatically improve the on-field product” if the team retains him, which could include re-hiring former Patriots OC and Las Vegas Raiders HC Josh McDaniels.” (H/T Yardbarker)
This would be McDaniels’ third stint as the offensive coordinator of the Patriots. He held that title before leaving to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos and after being fired from that job, he returned to New England after a one-year hiatus as offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams in 2011.
McDaniels spent 10 seasons as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator before being hired by the Las Vegas Raiders to be their head coach. His tenure with them was more disastrous than with the Broncos, as he made it through only 25 games instead of 28, getting fired before the completion of his second season both times.
NFL News & Rumors: Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels, Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Updates
For as poorly as things have gone for McDaniels as a head coach, he has succeeded with the Patriots as offensive coordinator. He and Belichick work well and selling that as a way to improve the team could certainly help the head coach retain his job.
Beyond that, it would not be surprising if ownership urges him to bring in some help in the front office and in talent evaluation. The Patriots have struggled to restock their roster, especially on offense, in recent seasons and an outside voice could help turn things around in that regard.
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