NFL Rumors: 'Open Belief' That Bill Belichick Could Call Patriots' Offensive Plays

Former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and the AFC East team may reportedly turn to its legendary head coach to call offensive plays as a result.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that there is "an open belief leaguewide that coach Bill Belichick could call the plays or, at the very least, have more involvement in the offense. He's involved in everything, to be sure, but he could really dig in here."

New England didn't just lose McDaniels.

The new Raiders head coach took wide receivers coach Mick Lombardi, offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo and assistant quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree with him to Las Vegas, although he told reporters he "absolutely" discussed doing so with Belichick.

"I have great respect for Bill and that process," McDaniels added. "Spoke to him directly multiple times about any interest that I had in people that were there. I'll keep those conversations private but never want to do the wrong things relative to those things. Obviously, I feel very fortunate that I had an opportunity to add a few people that I've worked with before, specifically on the offensive side of the ball."

While losing that many coaches could be an issue, it is also impossible to argue against Belichick's resume.

The all-time great is a six-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Coach of the Year with a 254-99 record in 22 seasons with the Patriots. He led the Patriots to the playoffs in 2021 despite starting rookie quarterback Mac Jones for all 17 games.

Jones was solid, but the team had to scheme around him a number of times, including when he attempted a mere three passes in December's win at the Buffalo Bills.

Expectations in New England will be higher now that the quarterback has more experience, and Belichick would be the one tasked with unlocking Jones' potential if he is the one calling plays.

That he would call offensive plays is somewhat notable considering he had a defensive background before becoming a head coach from his time as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants.

Finding success as an offensive play-caller in 2022 would only add to his already illustrious resume.