The second landing spot for former Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels was short-lived, much to the surprise of Patriots fans, but not much to the surprise of oddsmakers from legal sportsbooks in Massachusetts that continued to list the Raiders as underdogs.
Just 24 hours after his team’s 26-14 road loss to the Detroit Lions on national TV, Raiders owner Mark Davis announced that McDaniels, along with general manager Dave Ziegler, had been fired. Former New York Giants linebacker and Raiders linebacker coach Antonio Pierce was named the team’s interim head coach.
Since 2022, McDaniels had posted a 9-16 record with the Raiders and saw his head coaching career record fall to 20-33 (.377) after a two-year stint with the Denver Broncos (2009-2010).
BetMassachussetts.com offers hypothetical odds on where McDaniels, who had won six Super Bowls as an offensive coach during two stints with the New England Patriots under head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, will land next season after his firing:
Here are the probable odds. Could McDaniels return for Foxboro and improve the Patriots chances to make the playoffs for years to come? Or after his disastrous stint in Las Vegas is he better off proving himself away from his mentor?
Odds Of Josh McDaniels' Next Move
Pats Return May Be Safest Landing
Although a return to the Patriots could be likely (+200), current offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien is back with the Patriots for his own second stint with the team this season. O’Brien, along with current New York Giants coach Brian Daboll, had both previously worked under Alabama coach Nick Saban, and the Tide’s offense this season has not been quite up-to-par under current offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. A McDaniels stint in Tuscaloosa (+250) may make sense.
MORE: Massachusetts ESPN BET Sportsbook Review
Basically, McDaniels can do whatever he wants in the future, as his former contract with the Raiders still runs another four years. Broadcasting (+300) could be in his future, but he has no previous broadcasting experience and doesn't seem to be interested in it.
A position he is very familiar with — offensive coordinator — and a position which he has had much success in is at +800. But his offense with the Raiders is currently 24th in the league, so it's safe to say Belichick and/or Saban may be more willing to pursue McDaniels than another NFL team that he lacks close ties to.
A year off (+1200) is a long shot because he still has the coaching passion in his blood. McDaniels has been in the NFL in some coaching capacity every season since 2001. Another option such as joining a college program (other than Alabama) is at +1700. While a longshot, that could be the way to go to hone his skills and prove himself away from a team/program tied to Belichick.
Pierce makes his head coaching debut at home versus the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX). For any looking to place wagers on the Raiders or other NFL teams, be sure to consider promotions from Massachusetts sportsbooks, such as the Caesars Sportsbook offer.
