Bold Prediction: New England Patriots Ex Rob Gronkowski Says Bill O'Brien Out, Josh McDaniels In
Will now former Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels end back up with the New England Patriots for his third time working under Bill Belichick?
If you were to ask former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, that is exactly what he'd predict.
"I feel like Bill O'Brien may be out of there after this year," Gronkowski said in a recent interview on the "Up & Adams" Show. "So if that's the case, I think Josh McDaniels comes back as offensive coordinator in New England, that's for sure."
A return to New England following a failed coaching stint is exactly what happened for McDaniels 13 years ago when the Denver Broncos fired him. However, his firing from the Broncos wasn't a linear path back to Foxboro. With O'Brien then occupying the role of coordinator in Foxboro, McDaniel spent a season with the then-St. Louis Rams before returning to the Patriots in 2012, as the former took the coaching job at Penn State.
Oct 28,2012; London, UNITED KINGDOM; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is congratulated by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels after scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams in the 2012 NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Rams 45-7.
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
But unlike last time, O'Brien just got the job as the coordinator in New England this offseason, and despite a disastrous 2-6 start to the season, it seems unlikely that he'll be fired. So what happens to O'Brien in the mind of Gronk?
"I feel like he's going to take an opportunity," Gronkowski said. "He's kind of a head coach guy. I feel like he's going to take an opportunity somewhere else. ... I have zero sources; this is just me coming up with it."
It sounds like deja vu, considering McDaniel's recent stint with the Patriots could've turned out differently if not for O'Brien taking the job with the Nittany Lions.
However, while O'Brien's return to the Patriots could last a season before he goes elsewhere again, McDaniels could follow the same path Matt Patricia did after being fired by the Detroit Lions. Patricia spent the 2021 season as "senior football advisor" before becoming the offensive line coach and de facto offensive coordinator for the Patriots in 2022.
The Patriots will be in action next on Sunday when they host the Washington Commanders. Kickoff inside Gillette Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. (EST).
