Bill O’Brien is the best possible replacement for Josh McDaniels at this moment

It might sound uninspiring, but the New England Patriots hiring Bill O’Brien to replace Josh McDaniels is more than likely their best bet at the moment.

McDaniels leaving for the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching position was certainly unexpected, and when a move like that takes you by surprise, it might be most important to go with continuity, reliability and experience.

Back in 2008, O’Brien replaced McDaniels when he left to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos. That was O’Brien’s first job in the NFL and he parlayed it into head coaching gigs with Penn State and later on the Houston Texans, where he helped Deshaun Watson become an MVP candidate.

But more importantly, O’Brien, despite his track record and the heinous end of his tenure in Houston, is a good offensive mind (just a really, really bad GM). He just spent one season as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and took a freshman quarterback with an offense that lost Mac Jones, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris (along with other key players) to the National Championship Game.

The Patriots hiring Bill O’Brien might be their best bet.

Bryce Young, who led the Crimson Tide within a game of glory, won the Heisman Trophy after throwing for over 4,000 yards and 43 touchdowns with just four interceptions. This was with a new system and different personnel.

Historically, Bill Belichick has made a living off of coaches and players returning to New England after their endeavors elsewhere have run their course. Some are saying Cleveland Browns passing coordinator Chad O’Shea could be an option for the Pats, in addition to in-house options Mick Lombardi and Nick Caley — the latter two of whom have zero experience as an offensive coordinator. O’Shea has one year under his belt in that. role and was fired after that 2019 season with the Miami Dolphins. He was with the Patriots from 2009-2019, but doesn’t have enough experience as a play caller.

Jones can’t afford to take a step back in a crucial sophomore season. He needs a learned football mind who’s been around some of the best (O’Brien oversaw some of Tom Brady’s most prolific years from 2008-2011) and has succeeded at the highest level. Perhaps his experience with Alabama’s offense will help Jones attack down the field more, which was an apparent issue this past season.

Not only that, but the Patriots have another offseason that will require momentous decisions, most notably the need for a No.1 receiver for Jones to help elevate the offense. O’Brien has connections to a few of the top free agents on the market (Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin) as well as some of the most talented college players heading into the draft (Alabama’s Jameson Williams and John Metchie).

There is appeal to finding the next great, young offensive guru out there, but the options aren’t as plentiful this offseason. Plus, that’s not really the Patriots’ style. It’s usually keeping it within the family and maintaining familiarity that has made this the most successful dynasty in sports history.

With O’Brien’s knowledge, connections and history in New England, he may not be the sexiest choice, but he’s definitely the right one, especially if the development of a young quarterback is at stake.

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