With O’Brien gone, the OC position is now open, so the search for the new (or old) OC can begin. I know most want a new shiny model OC off the Shanahan/McVay assembly line. I just don’t think that’s going to be the case.
The Krafts are going to want Josh McDaniels along with most of the coaches who followed him to Las Vegas back. They’re going to want experience on the staff especially if the Belichick boys follow their father to Atlanta, and Demarcus Covington becomes DC with a D staff of younger position coaches.
Now, Atlanta could entice McDaniels by telling him that he’s Bill’s successor. Otherwise, coaching in Foxboro, where his family never left when the Raiders hired him, running an offense with almost complete autonomy while collecting the balance of the $60 million the Raiders still owe him would be McDaniels’ best career choice you’d have to think.
Frankly, I believe this would be the best case scenario. The Pats are taking a QB at 3 overall. Williams, Maye and Daniel all have the physical traits and potential you can’t pass up with that pick. Look what McDaniels did with Mac Jones in 2021. Look at what McDaniels got out of the spent shell known as Cam Newton in 2020.
The Erhardt-Perkins offense has won plenty and is still a very relevant offense. It doesn’t have to be the ultra complex version it became with Brady because they needed to compensate for a lack of physical skills in their receiver group. A strong running game will be the rookie QBs best friend as he develops, and the Pats upgrade the skill level of their receivers.