For eight seasons, Josh McDaniels was Brandon Bolden’s offensive coordinator in New England.
When he jetted for the Raiders head coaching gig, he brought Bolden — and a handful of other former Patriots — along with him. With McDaniels now in an all-encompassing role, Bolden had an amusing description for what it’s like to see him as the head coach.
“It’s just like the parents leaving the house and your older brother is babysitting. That’s kinda how it’s been,” Bolden said. “Me and Josh have been together for a long time. And to just see him go from offensive coordinator, just calling plays, just tending to one side of the ball, to now seeing him standing in front of the whole team and address both sides, for me it’s still surreal because in my mind it’s like ‘Josh, you have no idea what defense is talking about.’
“But he’s doing a great job. I love it for him and I’m super proud of him.”
While on the topic of former Patriots that Bolden considers family, the Raiders running back wished “little brother” James White well in retirement. Bolden said he had the inside scoop that White was hanging his cleats up before the news went public because of an old group chat along with LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis.
“James is not a former teammate. James is not just someone (where) we shared a room. James White is like my little brother,” Bolden said. “I remember when he first came in and was worried about getting cut. Now to see him have such a successful career, and he kinda went out on top the way he did, very proud of him. Love him to death.”
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