Patriots’ dream coaching staff could choose Raiders over New England

Because fans of the New England Patriots have grown used to 20 years of high standards and greatness, this year’s coaching carousel has given them a chance to assemble a veritable All-Pro team of recently-fired head coaches who might enjoy being reunited as assistants in New England.

Only one problem: that grand exile/union might actually occur in Las Vegas.

Though Josh McDaniels’ chances of securing the Raiders job seem to be vacillating every hour — plus, as the Indianapolis Colts know, it’s never done until it’s done — things are trending back in that direction as the end of the week approaches.

With McDaniels will likely go Dave Ziegler, current Patriots executive and the possible future GM in charge of getting the Raiders over the hump from the fringes of the postseason to the heart of contention.

Both men have been packaged from the beginning of this process, but as Albert Breer, Mike Giardi and Henry McKenna all echoed on Friday, McDaniels and Zeigler share an agent with one other prominent Patriot: Jerod Mayo, who’ll be inheriting one hell of a pass rush if he, too, flees across the country.

Patriots could lose Jerod Mayo to Raiders with Josh McDaniels and … Joe Judge?

Now, those who watched Mayo and Steve Belichick’s defense down the stretch might not be too put off by the notion that he could be done calling plays in New England.

Per reports, Mayo and the younger Belichick were given full responsibility back as soon as the defense took a distinct nosedive. Perhaps Mayo will benefit from being handed a more defined role … but perhaps not.

What stood out to us, though, was the theorizing that Joe Judge could eventually join the Patriots’ ex-core in Las Vegas as well.

For weeks now, Patriots fans have been crowing about how all their fired assistants would eventually return to roost in New England, finding their niche after trying to overextend themselves. Judge would go back to shaping the special teams unit after it clattered to the ground in 2021. Brian Flores would replace Mayo. Bill O’Brien would slot into McDaniels’ place and finally unlock the two tight end system (“Wait, two tight ends … together?! It’ll never work …” – Josh McDaniels, according to most Pats fans).

As of now, it feels as if O’Brien may very well be returning, but it’s unlikely anyone comes with him. And if Flores does, for some reason, accept the demotion, he’ll likely be hired to fill a vacancy next year.

The further we get from the end of the 2021 Patriots season, the more it’s beginning to feel like Executive of the Year Belichick on an island, remaking the team in his own image.

Truth be told, though, that may not be so bad.