FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the New England Patriots and the NFL:
1. McDaniels factor: There was a notable "what could have been" moment that unfolded after one of the Patriots-Eagles practices last week when New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Philadelphia executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman were talking.
They hadn't known each other well before connecting this offseason when Roseman was looking to hire Doug Pederson's replacement as Eagles coach. McDaniels was a finalist, and had Roseman offered him the job instead of Nick Sirianni, he would be in the initial stages of his second stint as a head coach, fulfilling what remains a career goal.