Josh McDaniels could return to Patriots in possible Bill Belichick staff twist

Instead of starting a new chapter, perhaps the Patriots might just try to run it back.

Former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was fired as the Raiders’ head coach in October, could be an option to return if Robert Kraft decides to keep Bill Belichick as head coach, according to The Athletic.

While reports surfaced near the end of the season that Kraft was expected to part ways with Belichick, the outlet reported that the pair had an “initial discussion” Monday with “at least” one more meeting to follow.

That’s where McDaniels could enter.

He previously served as Belichick’s offensive coordinator from 2006-08 and again from 2012-21, leaving after the 2021 campaign to become the Raiders’ head coach.

That decision backfired, as Las Vegas finished 6-11 — not even close to a postseason berth — in 2022 and started 3-5 in 2023, despite the addition of Jimmy Garoppolo and the return of star receiver Davante Adams and running back Josh Jacobs, before owner Mark Davis fired McDaniels.

But when Belichick and McDaniels paired together in New England, an organization McDaniels originally joined as a personnel assistant in 2001, they overlapped for six Super Bowls and played integral roles in the operation of the Patriots’ dynasty along with quarterback Tom Brady.

This year, though, the Patriots struggled, finished 4-13, encountered plenty of low points in Belichick’s tenure and faced a quarterback dilemma that involved former first-round pick Mac Jones getting benched — and, in Week 18, receiving an inactive status.

In their final loss Sunday, the Jets snapped their 15-game losing streak against the Patriots with a 17-3 win, and backup quarterback Bailey Zappe managed just 88 passing yards and two interceptions.

Belichick didn’t speculate much on his future with the organization Sunday or Monday, although he hinted in his end-of-season press conference that he might be open to parting ways with his control over football operations, citing that he’s “only part of” the Patriots’ process.

“I’m for whatever collectively we decide as an organization is the best thing to help our football team,” Belichick told reporters. “I have multiple roles in that, and I rely on a lot of people to help me in those responsibilities. Somebody’s gotta have the final say. I have it, I rely on a lot of other people to help.”

Kraft hasn’t made a decision about Belichick yet, according to The Athletic.

Maybe Belichick’s run with the Patriots will still end.

But, for now, there’s a potential McDaniels twist — involving what The Athletic described as “one of Kraft’s favorite members of the organization” — added to the franchise’s complex present.