Among the notable changes made by the Patriots this offseason was the return of longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He had left the team after the 2021 season to pursue another opportunity as a head coach with the Las Vegas Raiders, only to be fired mid-season in 2023. He then took time away from the NFL and found his way back to New England for a third stint as the team's offensive play caller.
After the Raiders released him, it was widely speculated that a return to the Patriots was inevitable, but it took nearly two years for it to become official. It was a move by new head coach Mike Vrabel that garnered a lot of reactions, with some not pleased that another longtime coach was returning to the sideline.
However, early projections make it clear that McDaniels being back where he has seen the most success is a nightmare scenario for the rest of the AFC East, which had long been on the receiving end of brutal beatings by the Patriots' offense while he was calling the shots.
The AFC East should fear what the Patriots can do with Josh McDaniels back in the building
Now that he returns to Foxboro with a much more talented quarterback to work with than the last time he was there, with Drake Maye in and Mac Jones out, the projections for what the new duo can do together continue to be limitless.
It has prompted many to believe that we will see a massive second-year jump from Maye, especially since he has a vastly improved roster around him, thanks to Vrabel and Co.'s impressive offseason. That should make McDaniels' job much easier, which is why Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes he is the biggest x-factor in the race for the AFC East division title.
"Considering what McDaniels did with Jones and an average supporting cast, he could help Maye make a significant second-year leap with this personnel group. If so, the Patriots will be the biggest threat to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East."
It's far from what the Bills want to hear, as they hope to remain the team to beat in the division and hold onto their title this fall. However, for the Patriots, who have fallen to third and fourth in the division since McDaniels left, the hope is that they will regain their supremacy sooner rather than later, which the OC is well-equipped to help accomplish.
The last time he was with the Patriots, Jones was in his rookie season, recording 352 completions for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The team made the playoffs after missing them the previous season, and the quarterback was named an alternate to the Pro Bowl that year.
Considering the talent around him and the personnel McDaniels had to work with, it was an impressive feat, which ultimately led to the Raiders giving him another chance as a head coach. Now he will return with a much improved cast and quarterback, with a strong possibility of putting the Patriots back on the map sooner rather than later.
It's not something fans of the other teams in the division were hoping would happen anytime soon, as many have expressed their disappointment that the Patriots' slump didn't last long enough compared to their dominance. However, Robert Kraft's frustration with losing finally led to him making the right decision by hiring Vrabel, and the hope is that it will pay off as soon as this year, much to the demise of teams like the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets.