With Josh McDaniels on his way to Las Vegas, there is a vacancy in New England for an offensive coordinator for the first time in a decade. Two of the names being circulated as potential replacements, according to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi, are ex-head coaches Bill O’Brien and Adam Gase (Twitter link). 
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O’Brien has been busy since being dismissed from the Texans in 2020. He spent 2021 as the OC at Alabama, reaching the National Championship game. Following the college season, he interviewed with the Jaguars for their HC vacancy. That was somewhat surprising, given that he wasn’t thought to be on the NFL radar at this time.
O’Brien, 52, made the playoffs four times during his six full seasons in Houston. However, a total of just two postseason wins – along with an increasingly disastrous tenure as the team’s general manager – saw him out of the league two years ago. Given his experience in New England (stretching from 2007 to 2011, in various roles) prior to that, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see him reunite with Bill Belichick.
Gase, meanwhile, is a candidate whose “name keeps popping up when speaking to league sources” with regards to the Patriots’ OC opening. He has experience at the NFL level dating back to 2005, but is of course better remembered for his time with the Dolphins and Jets as a head coach. After an impressive turnaround in 2019, there was optimism he and QB Sam Darnold could take the latter team a step forward in 2020. Instead, the Jets had their worst start in franchise history (0-13) and Gase was fired at the end of the year, while Darnold was traded away. The 43-year-old spent 2021 away from the sidelines.
Giardi adds that “there’s hope for an internal promotion” from within the organization, though any in-house candidates likely wouldn’t hold the title of OC. If the Patriots do elect to hire an external candidate, either of these two would bring plenty of experience – along with some raised eyebrows, in all likelihood – to the table.
Adam Gase to the Pats please.. the empire is crumbling so you might as well light it on fire for good measure.
Not really sure I would say crumbling. They made it to the playoff’s with a rookie quarterback this year…
When bill still in charge and a young up and coming Qb they won’t crumbling just because of gase
You see Macnoodle the last 6 games? Mac is merely a media construct, he is not good. Go watch McNoodle’s pro bowl skills challenge, lol.
Yes – send the bug eyed loser to the Pats
Wow, two masterminds
what??? WHAT???
Maybe Jeff Fisher can take over at DC.
I wouldn’t fill this position too soon, as McDaniels hasn’t had time to quit yet.
Going to be interesting to see if Bill still has his OC magic without TB12. I suspect there is a reason all the OC’s specifically have flamed out when leaving NE.
Seems to me like Brady was like having a second OC in terms of keeping guys focused, motivated, and prepared. He set a high bar leading by example.
I would love to see BOB face plant returning to the post post-Brady. Just like I’m going to enjoy McDaniels flame out in Vegas. Gase would be fun to watch “do his thing” in NE too.
If I have to watch the Steelers flail the next few years, I’m at least hoping to take some comfort in NE doing the same….
Obviously neither of the two are the best names, but O’Brien is lightyears ahead of Gase as a playcaller. O’Brien does have a reputation of going through QBs that he does not think can do the job, so it will be difficult if Jones can’t adapt, but Gase is much worse.
Gase had decent results in Chicago, but having Manning running your offense is always suspect as to your own input. Moreso than Brady or Rodgers or any other elite QB except maybe Brees, Manning ran his own or heavily contributed to his team’s onfield actions. Gase’s playcalling in the Super Bowl, for instance, was noticeably predictable, even with Manning taking his own plays (a fullback screen on third and long? Why?). Even when he had success, Gase wasn’t fully responsible for it.
Plus, O’Brien’s offense should have at least some direct translation from McDaniels’, considering his time there. That should make it easier to transition.
Given how much BB prefers experienced veterans I expect Ernie Zampese to get the job.
Bill isn’t likely to coach much longer – thus he probably won’t want to break in any newbies.