Patriots: 3 reasons it’s not insane to think Bill Belichick could be on hot seat after 2021

3 reasons Bill Belichick could be on hot seat after 2021

1. Josh McDaniels underwhelms as Patriots offensive coordinator

After Belichick and Tom Brady, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is one of the biggest staples of the Patriots’ dominant era. In total, he’s served 14 years as the offensive coordinator and has been lauded as the genius behind some of New England’s most explosive offenses. As of late, things have not been so effective for McDaniels and the offense.

In 2020, with Cam Newton at quarterback and a diminished group of weapons, McDaniels failed to create a system that could generate consistent offense. Whether the calls were coming directly from him or at the advice of Belichick, McDaniels often ran a predictable and conservative script that involved screens, draws and quarterback runs, no matter the down and distance.

That was best exemplified in a tie game with the Arizona Cardinals when he called a quarterback read option on 3rd & 13 with under a minute left in the game.

Now, in 2021, with a number of talented free agents signed, McDaniels has yet to get the offense rolling, and it’s not because of rookie quarterback Mac Jones, who has more than proven he can compete at this level. McDaniels just hasn’t been able to create and execute a quality offensive game plan.

McDaniels is obviously Belichick’s guy. He trusts him to run the offense and that makes it seem unlikely that Belichick would let McDaniels go. In reality, they’ll likely roll together until the wheels fall off, and right now the wheels are a little shaky. It’s time for Belichick to get out and tighten the lug nuts, or he will be stuck driving with heated seats.