Report: McDaniels returns to Patriots for 3rd stint as OC

The New England Patriots are hiring Josh McDaniels to be their next offensive coordinator, sources told The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

McDaniels, 48, was head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders from 2022-23. He went 9-16 with the franchise and was fired midway through the 2023 season.

This will be McDaniels' third stint with the Patriots. He worked under Bill Belichick for 18 seasons, starting as a personnel assistant in 2001 before serving as offensive coordinator from 2006-08 and again from 2012-21. New England captured six Super Bowls during McDaniels two different spells with the club.

McDaniels was also head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2009-10 and offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams in 2011.

Head coach Mike Vrabel, who took the job earlier this month, was a linebacker for the Patriots during McDaniels' first stint.

New England's offense struggled last season, ranking 27th in EPA/play and 30th in points per game. Quarterback Drake Maye showed flashes of promise, and the team is expected to add more talent around him this offseason. The club owns the fourth overall pick in the 2025 draft and has a league-high $120 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.