The quarterback change for the New England Patriots will be a big challenge for Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels no matter who it might be.
The quarterback change for the New England Patriots will be a big challenge. No matter who that is, Josh McDaniels, their long-time offensive coordinator will be on the hot seat.
Conjecture abounds about whether the Patriots will stay the course and insert former backup Jarrett Stidham into the offense created for Tom Brady, or, the Patriots will go in a new direction either with their system, their quarterback or both.
No matter which direction the New England Patriots decide to go, McDaniels will be the driver and he will be judged accordingly.
Josh McDaniels has been the key player coaching the Patriots offense for many years during the Brady era. To some extent that was easy with Brady at the helm.
Winning the AFC East was almost a given. Having a home game at least and very likely a bye in the first playoff round was also very likely. And going all the way to the AFC Championship game was likely and winning it was a good chance.
That was the good news. The bad news is, that is now over. All bets are off and the next iteration of the New England Patriots offense is about to take shape.
The architects of the new offense will be Bill Belichick, his personnel staff and McDaniels. But the builder will be McDaniels. Having the best-laid plan is nice but if the builder can’t implement it, the building could fold. Josh McDaniels is clearly on the hot seat.
Option 1: Josh McDaniels’ Challenge
An article previously indicated that in 2020 Bill Belichick will be facing the biggest challenge of his Hall of Fame career. That challenge is guiding his team in the post-Tom Brady era and choosing an offense that makes sense without the safety net of the greatest quarterback of all-time on the field.
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Once that decision is made, however, Josh McDaniels will be handed the keys to the post-Brady offense and expected to deliver results. Much is at stake both for the Patriots and for McDaniels.
The new offense can actually be built in one of two (or maybe more) ways. The first way is to retain the Brady offense and simply insert your new quarterback into that system. That’s an easy way to proceed.
While you have two previous participants in that scheme, Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer on board, this is risky business. Stidham has thrown 4 passes in his NFL career, Hoyer is essentially a career backup. Replacing the best ever in the same offense with either of these is a prescription for disaster.
Another option is to draft a quarterback whom you feel has the attributes necessary to succeed in that same system in addition to the two already on the roster. They compete to see who can run it best. That is one option one
The second option is very different. Let’s explore.
Option 2: Belichick and McDaniels’ implements a totally new offense
Option 2 provides it’s own inherent challenges. In this choice, the Patriots formulate a new more modern offense structured to meet the strengths and weaknesses of another new quarterback.
This would be a multi-faceted, read-option, multi-look, mobile quarterback operated dynamic new system.
The Patriots could move in two or three ways to secure the leader of this new offense. One option might be to sign Cam Newton to a one-year “show-me” contract. He should be able to implement such a system and has experience if not top durability credentials.
Another option would be to sign Newton or a similar more mobile quarterback and also draft his successor with similar skils to learn behind Newton. Someone like Jalen Hurts.
A third option would be to just draft Hurts or a similar player, insert him into the offense and never look back. A mobile running and throwing quarterback like Hurts in New England is big trouble for AFC East and all other opponents and they won’t want to see this coming at them in 2020.
Belichick’s, McDaniel’s and the New England Patriots’ big risk and opportunity
Whatever option the Patriots select, Josh McDaniels will be on the front lines. If the Patriots select option 1 and the offense fails with a traditional quarterback, McDaniels (and Belichick) will be tagged with the “can’t win without Brady” label.
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This tarnishes Belichick’s reputation and legacy. In addition, McDaniels will also be stuck with that label having failed in his first head-coaching position in Denver without Brady, and now having failed in the place of his great previous success in New England, again, without Brady.
While this tarnishes Belichick’s reputation, it could put an end to any future opportunities whether inside or outside New England for McDaniels to secure a head-coaching position. That’s the big risk for McDaniels.
However, If the Patriots select Option 2, I think they have to be given a bit more slack and time to totally incorporate a new offensive system sans Brady into the team. Time is gold.
Whether a Newton-type veteran or a rookie like Jalen Hurts, it is logical to expect the incorporation of a totally new and completely different system with many new players especially those with diverse and multi-faceted skill sets will take time. Time is gold for Belichick and McDaniels.
It is thus clear, the best and most logical option for the Patriots is to choose option 2. Both for Belichick’s, McDaniels’ and the team’s benefit.
The Brady-type offense only worked because of Brady. Trying to fit another quarterback into that system is a classic square peg, round hole analogy. It won’t work.
Implementing a new mobile, multi-faceted offense with new more versatile skill players makes all the sense in the world.
First, it gives you more time. Then, it provides an opportunity to put opposing defenses on their back heels with an offense that now becomes totally unpredictable and immeasurably more athletic (if they draft correctly).
And three, it allows the coaching abilities of Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels to develop a new system more in-tune with the new NFL based on speed and deception and emerge once again with dynamic, exciting and successful team for the next generation of greatness.