Josh McDaniels is officially no longer head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Immediately, the question comes up: Will he return to the New England Patriots? Conceivably, but there’s no way that’s going to happen!

What was long indicated is now reality: Josh McDaniels is no longer head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. After an embarrassing performance by the offense against the Detroit Lions, the head coach has to go.

Almost reflexively, when a former assistant to Bill Belichick is fired, one thinks of a return to the foster father and the New England Patriots. Almost is the question not if, but when.

Joe Judge, Matt Patricia, Bill O’Brien and many more failed as head coaches and then came back to Foxborough. Yes, McDaniels himself went that route. When it was over for him with the Denver Broncos in 2010, he came back to Massachusetts via the St. Louis Rams in 2012.

And this time? At least McDaniels would be “home” again and the Patriots would have the offensive coordinator back under whom they last looked like a competent offense. In 2021, the Patriots were the sixth-best scoring offense with then-rookie Mac Jones.

Back to the McDaniels/Jones duo? Looking to the past is not worth it!

However, these statistics gloss over the Patriots’ actual performance. They regularly gave up 40 or more points to weak teams, while often having no chance against teams of equal or greater strength.

What’s needed in New England is not another glimpse into the past, where head coach Bill Belichick still lives anyway. Maybe it would be good for Jones to have his first playcaller back. Then again, it would be his fourth OC in his fourth NFL year. Poison for a young quarterback whose franchise seems to go out of its way to put obstacles in his way anyway.

Then again, do the Patriots even want to continue with Mac Jones? Even factoring in that he has little capable personnel around him, in the end his skills are now limited and his performances not good enough.

With Caleb Williams, Michael Penix Jr. and Drake Maye, perfectly capable playmakers can be found in the upcoming draft, all of whom are attainable for the Pats. And a decision on Jones is now up for grabs in the upcoming offseason, when his fifth-year option must be pulled or declined.

Patriots must finally make a hard cut – without McDaniels

A separation from Mac Jones would be an admission of failure by Patriots decision-makers. And the trigger of what should objectively follow: a personnel spring cleaning at Patriot Place in Foxborough.

That, of course, would include the coaches. Bill Belichick will forever be one of the NFL’s best coaches, is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and arguably the best defensive mind of recent decades. He would also free up the general manager’s job, which he also holds. His son Steve, who calls plays on defense, would likely fall victim to a tough cut as well.

The Patriots need to rid themselves of everything. It is becoming increasingly clear that the Belichick system was not borne by the 71-year-old, but by Tom Brady. That the dynasty ended in 2019 is something that even the greatest optimists in the northeastern United States must admit to themselves.

There can be no “business as usual” in view of the last few disappointing years (with the exception of 2021) – and bringing back Josh McDaniels would be the manifestation of exactly that.