The New England Patriots’ head coaching pick was a familiar face, and Mike Vrabel continued that trend with his offensive coordinator hire heading into the 2025 season.
The Patriots are expected to reunite with Josh McDaniels as their offensive coordinator, a role he previously held in the organization, according to multiple reports. Barstool Sports first reported that McDaniels’ return to the Patriots was imminent.
This will be McDaniels’ third time back with the Patriots, though the first with Vrabel at the helm and quarterback Drake Maye shaping up after his rookie campaign in 2024.
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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
McDaniels was among the offensive coordinator candidates the Patriots had been interviewing, including Chicago Bears passing game coordinator Thomas Brown and Los Angeles Chargers passing game coordinator Marcus Brady, according to ESPN .
McDaniels was out of the game in 2024 after being fired midseason by the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2023 campaign. He was also the head coach in 2022, but things did not go well and owner Mark Davis made the decision to go ahead.
As the Raiders continue to search for their own head coach following the firing of Antonio Pierce, who served on an interim basis following McDaniels’ departure in 2023, the Patriots found their man in Vrabel after parting ways with Jerod Mayo following his first and only station.
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Additionally, while Vrabel and McDaniels have never coached together, they have a connection to their time together as a player and coach respectively, when they won three Super Bowls during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era.
McDaniels’ big break in the NFL came with the Patriots in 2001 as an assistant to Belichick. He eventually worked his way up to the point where the Denver Broncos hired him in 2009 to become their next head coach.
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (left) and head coach Bill Belichick leave 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, when he would finally return to the Patriots after being the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams in 2011.
McDaniels would enjoy his time as New England’s coordinator from then until he moved to the Raiders for his second try as a head coach. During the 2021 season, McDaniels was also tasked with grooming Mac Jones, the team’s first-round quarterback pick in the NFL Draft, and help them earn a playoff berth.
The Patriots hope McDaniels can lead the way for Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft who showed streaks of greatness in his first NFL season despite the team’s overall struggles. Maye threw for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with two rushing touchdowns in 421 yards in 12 games.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels reacts to a play against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (IMAGE)
As Vrabel continues to strengthen his coaching staff this offseason, adding a familiar face with a long history is something that could be a big help for a Patriots team that continues to search for its next dynasty.
