Patriots reunite with Josh McDaniels to serve as Mike Vrabel’s offensive coordinator: Report
The New England Patriots’ head coaching choice is a familiar face, continuing a trend when Mike Vrabel hires offensive coordinator for the 2025 season.
The Patriots are expected to reunite with Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, a role he previously held with the organization, according to multiple reports. Barstool Sports first reported that McDaniels was close to returning to the Patriots.
This will be McDaniels’ third return to the Patriots, although it’s the first with Vrabel at the helm and quarterback Derek Meyer returning after his rookie season in 2024.
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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels watches the Philadelphia Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
According to ESPN, McDaniels is among the offensive coordinator candidates the Patriots have been interviewing, including Chicago Bears passing game coordinator Thomas Brown and Los Angeles Chargers passing game coordinator Marcus Brady.
McDaniels is out of action in 2024 after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders midway through the 2023 season. He also served as head coach in 2022, but things didn’t work out and owner Mark Davis decided to leave.
While the Raiders are still searching for their own head coach after the firing of Antonio Pierce, who served as interim head coach following McDaniels’ departure in 2023, the Patriots are still looking for a head coach after parting ways with Jarrod Mayo. Found their head coach in Vrabel.
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Additionally, while Vrabel and McDaniels have never coached together, they are connected through their time as players and coaches respectively, when they won three Super Bowls during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era.
McDaniels blossomed with the Patriots in 2001, serving as an assistant coach under Belichick. Eventually, through his efforts, he was hired by the Denver Broncos as their next head coach in 2009.
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, left, and head coach Bill Belichick walk off the field after the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. (Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)
That was short-lived, however, as McDaniels was fired in December 2010, and he eventually returned to the Patriots after serving as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2011.
From that point on, McDaniels enjoyed his time as New England’s coordinator until his second try as the Raiders’ head coach. During the 2021 season, McDaniels is also responsible for developing the team’s first-round quarterback selection in the NFL Draft, Mac Jones, who will help them earn a playoff spot.
The Patriots are hoping McDaniels can lead the way for Meyer, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft who has excelled in his first NFL season despite the team’s overall struggles. performance. Meyer passed for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 12 games, including two rushing touchdowns and 421 yards.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels reacts during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (picture)
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As Vrabel continues to build out his coaching staff this offseason, bringing in a familiar face with a proven track record could go a long way as the Patriots continue to search for their next dynasty.
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