Raiders: Josh McDaniels has the perfect answer when asked about facing his former team
The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the few teams that got a new head coach this offseason in Josh McDaniels. McDaniels was a head coach before, for the rival Denver Broncos, and he's already faced them twice. However, he coached for the Broncos a long time ago. Now, his most recent coaching stop is […]
The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the few teams that got a new head coach this offseason in Josh McDaniels. McDaniels was a head coach before, for the rival Denver Broncos, and he's already faced them twice.
However, he coached for the Broncos a long time ago. Now, his most recent coaching stop is coming up on his schedule in the New England Patriots.
While he may not say it, this game is different than any other game. This is the place where McDaniels had the most success, and this is the place that gave him the opportunity to have another head coaching gig based on how well he performed with New England.
This isn't any other game, but let McDaniels tell it, and it's all about Las Vegas, as it should be.
“No. I mean, to me, I think it's the next game on the schedule," McDaniels said when asked if the next game was special. "Look, it is what it is. I mean, I used to work there, we have a couple of players that used to be there and a couple of coaches.
"But this is an important game for the Raiders, whether we were playing the Patriots or any other team. So, I don't really put any stock into the different things and you guys are going to have a hard time finding me the next couple of days. So, it is what it is.”
McDaniels was first introduced to NFL coaching by the Patriots in 2001 as a personnel assistant. He spent 2001-2008 with New England and would get the job with Denver as the head coach after becoming the offensive coordinator in New England in 2008.
Then, from 2012-2021, McDaniels was back with the Patriots. That's roughly 16 years with the Patriots. This isn't any other game. I know there will be some emotions, and we expect there to be. We also know that means McDaniels probably wants to beat his former team badly.
Coming off of the loss they are, look for the Raiders to come out of the gates hot against the Patriots.
Featured Image Via Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
