FOXBORO — Josh McDaniels had scruff.

A lot of it, in fact, as he walked to a podium Thursday morning inside the Patriots’ facility.

The image cut against most you’ll find of McDaniels from his previous stops in New England, spanning 2001-08 and 2012-21. Those pictures reflect a coach with a tight haircut, clean-shaven face and eyes laser focused.

This McDaniels, however, was relaxed. Reflective. Smiling. Days ahead of a season opener where Patriots players and coaches have admitted they don’t know what to expect from the Raiders, it’s easy to say the same of McDaniels this year.

Over the last eight months, the 49-year-old has been surrounded by assistants he’s never worked with before. He’s installed plays he’s never run. For the first time in New England, McDaniels isn’t taking orders

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