The New England Patriots are in Las Vegas this week for a set of joint practices and subsequent preseason game with the Raiders. The trip also gives the team an opportunity to catch up with an old friend, long-time offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
McDaniels departed New England earlier this offseason to take over the Raiders’ vacant head coaching gig. His now-former team, meanwhile, decided to leave his former role unoccupied. Instead, head coach Bill Belichick opted for a different arrangement — one that has been discussed at length throughout the offseason.
Instead of having a coordinator on the offensive side of the ball, the Patriots opted to use Matt Patricia and Joe Judge as the unit’s leading coaches.