By: Pat Pitts

All good things must come to an end. Nothing lasts forever. When one door closes, another one opens. 

Whatever phrase you want to use, it doesn’t make it hurt any less for Patriots fans. Bill Belichick’s time as head coach has begun to wind down. Brady won without Belichick, but could the opposite happen? That is a question for another time. 

I am here to answer another question””a question sitting on the sidelines for too long. 

No one wants to think about it. The Patriots added a ton of star power during the offseason. Belichick is not leaving anytime soon. However, a particular coordinator refused to accept the Colts head coaching vacancy after taking it hours before. Also, Belichick brought back a former coordinator on his coaching staff after a disastrous first try at being a head coach. They returned with a purpose. 

Josh McDaniels will be the next head coach of the New England Patriots. It’s the obvious answer to the giant elephant in the room. Belichick cannot coach forever; he knows that. He has been planning this for a long time. McDaniels is the prodigal son; what other reason is there for him returning to New England in 2012?

How long has McDaniels coached under Belichick?

In 2001, the New England Patriots shocked the world, winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history against “The Greatest Show on Turf.” It was also the same year Josh McDaniels became a coach in the NFL. First, McDaniels coached under Belichick as a Personnel Assistant, eventually moving up to QBs coach. 

McDaniels has witnessed coordinator after coordinator receives head coaching jobs, so he decided to get one himself. In 2009, he became the head coach of the Denver Broncos. He started 6-0, including defeating his former boss at Mile High. Unfortunately, McDaniels celebrated the victory a bit too hard. 

It was Week 5. Not the best look for a rookie head coach. Even Belichick would agree. 

His looks speak volumes. He cannot believe what he is watching. The face seems to give off an impression of doubt McDaniels took on such a big job too soon in his carrer.

 Ironically, this would be McDaniel’s peak moment of his season. The Broncos started losing, eventually missing the playoffs. McDaniels was fired after the 2010 season. 

McDaniels returned to coaching in a different role under the famous Steve Spagnuolo in St.Louis, then picked back up by Papa Belichick in 2012. His plan began to formulate in fruition. The next head coach of the Patriots was back in the building. 

McDaniels returned to his former role with the addition of play calling in 2012. Belichick knew how to get the best out of his coaches, especially McDaniels. He had his old job back but tacked on with the most critical role on gameday, calling plays for the greatest quarterback of all time. He added more hardware to his shelf, winning three more Lombardis in four appearances to the Super Bowl in five years. Insanity. 

As I mentioned above, McDaniels has seen it throughout his time in New England. He returned for a specific reason. He was being groomed to take over for Belichick. I have been saying it for the past few seasons. The writing is on the wall; I cannot be the only person reading it, right?

Why is McDaniels interviewing for other teams then?

It is the first thing I am asked when I bring the topic up in conversation. Josh McDaniels interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs since the Patriots’ second dynasty began in 2014. In fact, Josh McDaniels accepted the Colts head coach vacancy in 2019, which he backed out of the day before he would be sworn into office. A very Belichick move by one of his soldiers; did McDaniels have the same intentions?

In January 2020, Sports Illustrated writer Devon Clements wrote about the incident, noting how he declined at the last minute because Kraft wanted him to be the heir to the throne. However, the reason was debunked by NFL personality Albert Breer, stating how it had to do with football logistics, meaning its day-to-day operations. There was a disagreement; McDaniels walked away. 

Since then, McDaniels has interviewed for head coaching jobs but has not accepted one. It was even reported that Belichick refused McDaniels to move up head coach interviews a week, even though They lost in the Wild Card round already. Why?

Belichick is playing a mind game with the NFL. He always wants to have the upper hand. So allowing McDaniels to interview for jobs signals to other teams McDaniels is not off-limits. However, the actual interview begins after McDaniels sits down for his interviews. 

The interviews are just more opportunities for McDaniels to gain experience. Belichick knows this and wants to see how much he retained. Also, it will get a sense of how they can improve their offense within the talks. 

The New England Patriots are transitioning into a new beginning. Brady returns to Gillette in another uniform in October. Belichick turns 70 in a year. McDaniels brings the perfect amount of old school and a contemporary era. When he turned down the Colts’ head coaching job, he accepted another one. I believe McDaniels will carry on Belichick’s legacy with honor and even a few more Lombardis to add to the stadium’s hall of fame. Who else to bring Patriots Nation into the next chapter than someone who has been there throughout it all. It makes sense; don’t overthink it.

The post Why Josh McDaniels will be the next head coach of the New England Patriots appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Daniel Racz @Danny___Dimes

Introduction

During the 2020 offseason, Tom Brady’s departure from New England changed the landscape of the National Football League. While most NFL fans acknowledged Bill Bellichick’s coaching prowess, Brady’s farewell caused the Patriots to change the direction of their franchise. What was once the only dynasty of the 21st century quickly became a re-tooling mission. The Covid opt-outs, specifically Dont’a Hightower and Marcus Cannon, hurt the Patriots’ chances before week one even kicked off. That said, the ultimate demise of New England last season came from their lack of success and stability at the quarterback position. Cam Newton looked promising during the few games before he contracted Covid, but he played like a shell of his former self once he returned. 

New England re-signed Newton to an incentive-laden one-year deal as insurance. During the 2021 NFL draft, they selected Alabama-product Mac Jones with the 15th pick as the 5th quarterback off the board. Going forward, Jones will be given a shot to prove himself worthy of the throne which Brady once helmed. However, the Patriots can also look for more proven options soon to maximize their current winning window. 

The Proven Superstar: Deshaun Watson

Watson’s legal situation is on the backburner of the current NFL news cycle, and there are certainly backroom conversations occurring between front offices. Watson and his accusers will likely reach settlements, and the league may suspend him for up to one season. Reports from Houston Chronicle’s John McClain signal that Watson will not suit up for the Texans again. When on the field, Watson is a top 8 quarterback that can elevate his surrounding talent. Placing Watson behind the Patriots’ stellar offensive line and competent weapons group would lead to a dynamic offense. Paired with an above-average defense, a Watson-led Patriots team would be a super bowl threat from the Get-go. An offer for Watson would require a combination of starting-caliber talent and a plethora of draft capital, so it might be wise to explore more affordable options at the quarterback position. 

The Proven Commodity: Jimmy Garoppolo

Bill Belichick already has a relationship with Jimmy G dating back to 2014. During the second round, the Patriots drafted Garoppolo as a potential successor to Tom Brady. Towards the end of Garoppolo’s rookie deal, it became clear that Brady was not going anywhere. The 49ers sent a second-round pick back to New England for the quarterback. As of today, the 49ers have their potential franchise quarterback in South Dakota State’s Trey Lance. After June 1st, The team can cut Jimmy and save 25 million dollars towards their 2021 salary cap. The 49ers could use those savings to re-sign Richard Sherman and add other free agents. 

Belichick knows that with a good supporting cast, Garoppolo can bring a team deep into the postseason. If the Patriots are not content with their current QB room, they could acquire Garropollo for nothing more than a day three draft pick and restructure his contract as part of the trade. While Jimmy Garoppolo would not elevate the Patriots to super bowl contender status, he would provide more insurance. 

The Shot in the Dark: Jordan Love

The current Packers quarterback situation is not one many other teams would envy given the turmoil. However, there is going to be some shakeup in Green Bay this offseason, whether it be in the front office or on the roster. If Aaron Rodgers is on the move, he will not want to go to an organization like New England. However, if Rodgers stays in Wisconsin, Jordan Love could be on the move. The 2020 first-round pick, dubbed a project since his selection, could be a developmental piece for the Patriots. Love’s arm strength is undeniable, though there is much to be desired in almost every other aspect of his game. If Love sits on the bench and learns from Cam Newton in year one, there is a chance the Patriots select him as their future. Given the unusual circumstance surrounding Jordan Love, a trade package is difficult to nail down, though a package would likely center around a day two draft pick. 

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