With Josh McDaniels now the head coach in Las Vegas, who will be the next Patriots offensive coordinator?
Current Alabama offensive coordinator and former Patriots assistant Bill O'Brien seems like a top candidate.
Appearing on Gresh & Keefe Thursday, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport said he believes there's mutual interest.
“I do believe there’s interest," he said. "I think there’s interest from them and I think there’s interest from him and a lot of times when that’s the case, these things end up working out.
“But, they have to go through a process. They have to interview multiple candidates. They have to interview candidates who are minorities. They have to go through all of that. We’re not there yet and I would say typically, the Patriots work very, very slow on staffing. I can remember many times they would go to the combine and not be set on staffing, so I am not sure it will happen imminently, but I do believe there’s mutual interest. Honestly, it just makes a lot of sense for all parties.”
Rapoport also said he believes the Patriots are confident in their plan to replace McDaniels.
“Bill O’Brien makes sense, but a lot of time the Patriots promote from within whenever humanly possible," he said. "I would also add this: I know Bill Belichick wanted to keep Josh McDaniels, but this was definitely not like last time. This was not him saying, ‘Hold on, hold on let’s offer you this…’ I think they understood and were OK with him going, which makes me think the Patriots are confident in whatever the backup plan is in New England.”
