The Patriots should consider these options for offensive coordinator

Speaking on NBC Sports Boston, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer gave valuable details on Monday about how new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo will act regarding the team’s offensive coordinator spot, which is currently held by Bill O’Brien. 

“O’Brien is going to be in the mix [for the job] … but I think there is going to be an open search right away [for offensive coordinator],” Breer said. 

The Patriots brought O’Brien onboard during the 2022 offseason in hopes that he could bring spark into quarterback Mac Jones and propel the offense into a top 10 unit. 

By the end of the season, however, the offense finished 31st in points per game (13.9), Jones was benched midway through the year and the team finished 4-13.

If the Patriots elect to move on from O’Brien — which, as according to Breer, there is a chance they will — there will be several quality names to choose from. 

Josh McDaniels

If the Patriots want the quickest hiring process possible, Josh McDaniels should be their top name. 

McDaniels was New England’s offensive coordinator from 2012-21, before he left for a head coaching gig with the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2022 offseason.

After mustering a dismal 9-16 record in one-and-a-half seasons, McDaniels was fired by Las Vegas in early November and he is currently one of the top free agent coaches available.

Saturday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo shared that McDaniels would be the top choice for Mayo should he part ways with O’Brien. 

“Bill O’Brien is currently under contract, but if he and the Patriots go their separate ways, expect a familiar face, Josh McDaniels, to be at the top of the list for Jerod Mayo's next offensive coordinator.”

McDaniels’ appeal to the Patriots is clear. He is familiar with a chunk of the players and coaches, and was a major contributor on the team’s 2021 offense that was seventh in the league in points per game (26.6). 

The currently broken Patriots offense needs someone exactly like McDaniels to join the squad so that the unit can return to its top form. 

Shane Waldron, Seattle Seahawks OC

If the Patriots are looking for a highly experienced coach, current Seattle Seahawks OC Shane Waldron could be the right fit.

Waldron has been coaching since 2002 — ironically beginning as an operations intern with New England — and has worked under highly successful coaches like Sean McVay, Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll.  

Waldron knows what it takes to win, and he knows what it takes to get to the biggest game in sports. As the passing game coordinator with the Rams in 2019, Waldron helped Los Angeles win the NFC title and play New England in the Super Bowl.

The 44-year-old also oversaw the unprecedented transformation of Geno Smith, who went from a mediocre, backup-caliber quarterback in 2021 to a top-level starter in 2022 season after Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos in March 2022.

For the 2024 season, the Patriots will either be sticking with Mac Jones — their starting quarterback in 2023, who had an awful year —  or drafting a young quarterback. In either scenario, employing Waldron as the OC would be a smart move because of his experience in developing and harvesting talent in quarterbacks. 

Waldron is already being sought after by OC-needy teams. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Chicago Bears requested to interview Waldron for their vacant OC job on Jan. 10. If they are interested in him, the Patriots would have to move fast on Waldron before it is too late.

Nick Caley, Los Angeles Rams TE coach

Last offseason, while he was serving as the tight ends coach for New England, Nick Caley, the current tight ends coach for the Los Angeles Rams, interviewed for the Patriots’ open OC job. 

Although O’Brien secured the job and Caley didn’t, by interviewing him, Robert Kraft and Patriots executives showed how much they valued Caley’s mind and coaching talent.

Caley would not be a top OC pick for most teams in the NFL because he has only worked under two different head coaches, but Caley’s seven years served on New England’s coaching staff (2015-22) makes him an appeasing candidate for the Patriots. 

Under Belichick, Caley worked as an offensive assistant, fullbacks coach and tight ends coach. He has more than enough familiarly with Belichick’s way of doing things, but whether he will be accustomed to Mayo’s system is the question. 

Caley and Mayo coached alongside each other from 2019-22, so the two likely have a decent relationship, but their agreement in offensive schemes and means of preparation could still vastly differ. Additionally, Mayo may be reluctant to bring on a Belichick-era offensive coach while he is working to create a regime and coaching style of his own.

If Mayo agrees with Caley’s offensive philosophy that he picked up during the time they worked together, then Caley would be a very smart hire. If Mayo disagrees, however, then he should steer clear.