Patriots’ Reported Hire Of Josh McDaniels Raises These Red Flags

Josh McDaniels is the most ideal person to steer the Patriots in the right direction, but it’s also fair to be disappointed by the reported hire.

New England filled its vacant coordinator positions by reportedly hiring Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator and Terrell Williams as defensive coordinator. McDaniels arrival to Mike Vrabel’s staff marks his third stint in Foxboro, Mass., and that fact alone might leave a sour taste in some fans’ mouths.

Don’t get things mistaken, McDaniels should benefit Drake Maye’s development. The six-time Super Bowl champion should get the most out of the Patriots offense with his adaptable system. However, it’s fair to call this a “safe” hire. It raised red flags about Robert Kraft’s operation that should be highlighted. Let’s break down each point one by one.

Skirting The Rules
Similar to the Vrabel hire, the Patriots interviewed two candidates who were not in consideration for an offensive coordinator job anywhere else. They fulfilled the requirements of the Rooney Rule and were able to hire the person they really wanted. New England’s process showcased the flaws of the rule despite its good intentions of promoting diversity. You might think this has nothing to do with the Patriots, but Kraft isn’t shy about promoting himself as a champion of social justice. You’ve surely seen the misguided “Timeout Against Hate” ad. It’s a campaign launched by Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. Billionaires throwing money at social campaigns isn’t new or exclusive to the Patriots owner, but if the 83-year-old is being called an “ambassador for change” by Devin McCourty, being laser-focused on hires like McDaniels doesn’t promote that philosophy.

Belichick Without Belichick
Kraft expressed regret with how he handled Jerod Mayo’s tenure. The reported plan was for Bill Belichick to groom the 38-year-old to eventually succeed him. Things took a turn for the worst at the end of Belichick’s tenure, and the Mayo succession plan was accelerated. That failed, but instead of a hard pivot, Kraft still seems to be following what he likely wanted when he hired Mayo. It seems like Kraft blamed Belichick for the Patriots’ decline but still believes in the “Patriot Way.” His solution is to remove Belichick but keep the team in the hands of those who know how things work at One Patriot Place. Yes, the “Patriot Way” helped the team win six Super Bowls, but the goal isn’t to win the Super Bowl LIII again. The Kansas City Chiefs are the kings of the AFC. The Buffalo Bills are the undisputed leader of the AFC East. Perhaps the old way is flawed and it’s time for change. And the only problem wasn’t just Belichick.

Frugal Kraft
It’s a bit of a misnomer to call Kraft a “cheap owner.” The Patriots reportedly made a huge offer to Nick Caley last offseason, but instead, he chose to stay with the Los Angeles Rams. Caley would have been another familiar face, but he at least would have been fresh blood as a rising coach in the NFL. McDaniels’ stock was at his lowest after the Las Vegas Raiders fired him. The NFL seemed done with the 48-year-old, so it was easy for the Patriots to hire him. It also might come at a discount. McDaniels is still on Mark Davis’ payroll after signing a six-year, $60 million contract in 2022. Did that influence New England’s decision to go with a retread? Was that a tiebreaker over Minnesota Vikings assistant Grant Udinski? It’s a question Kraft must answer at his next media availability.

Vrabel Guy?
One trait Vrabel wanted for his version of the Patriots is a team that can be versatile and play multiple ways. McDaniels fits that mold perfectly, but was he the person Vrabel had in mind? Was McDaniels’ hire a compromise between the Krafts and Vrabel so that the New England head coach could bring in former assistants like Williams and Tony Dews and executives like Ryan Cowden? Those are key questions to ask since it could hint at how much control the Krafts are still holding onto as Vrabel tries to mold the Patriots to his identity.