Patriots Wideout Sends Message After Reported Josh McDaniels Return
The New England Patriots welcomed Josh McDaniels back to Foxborough — again.
McDaniels agreed to return to New England for a third time, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, following an intermission year from coaching in the NFL last season. The 48-year-old has an extensive history of coaching for the Patriots, which dates back to working alongside ex-head coach Bill Belichick starting in 2001. McDaniels was present for each of the organization’s six Super Bowl victories and departed in 2022 to join the Las Vegas Raiders as their head coach for nearly two seasons.
New England wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who worked with McDaniels during his last run with the Patriots four years ago, took to social media to react shortly after the news of the re-hiring broke.
“Heeesssssss backkkkkkkk!” Bourne posted on X Tuesday night.
Bourne and McDaniels crossed paths during the veteran wideout’s first season with the Patriots. McDaniels, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the time, helped Bourne reach career-best heights. Bourne recorded career-high marks in receiving yards (800), receptions (55) and touchdowns (five) and will enter 2025 two years removed from his torn ACL injury with McDaniels back on the sidelines.
This time, McDaniels will join first-year head coach Mike Vrabel. New England is following up its second straight four-win, last-place campaign as an AFC East laughingstock and has another critical offseason ahead. The Pats own the No. 4 overall pick in April’s NFL draft, have the opportunity to spend in free agency or add through the trade market and are due to assure their fans that 2025 won’t be a repeat of 2024.