The New England Patriots’ head coaching choice was a familiar face, and Mike Vrabel continued that trend with the hiring of an offensive coordinator ahead of the 2025 season.
The Patriots are expected to return Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, a role he previously held within the organization, according to multiple reports. Barstool Sports first reported that McDaniels’ return to the Patriots was imminent.
This will be McDaniels’ third time returning to the Patriots, although the first with Vrabel at the helm and quarterback Drake Maye to model after his 2024 rookie campaign.
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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels watches the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
McDaniels was among several offensive coordinator candidates the Patriots interviewed, 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 mid-season by the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2023 campaign. He also served as head coach in 2022, but things didn’t work out and owner Mark Davis called for moving on.
While the Raiders are still looking 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 after his first and only season.
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Additionally, although 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 in the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era.
McDaniels’ big break in the NFL came with the Patriots in 2001 as an assistant under Belichick. He eventually progressed 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)
However, this was short-lived, as McDaniels was fired in December 2010, when he finally returned to the Patriots after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2011.
McDaniels would enjoy his time as New England’s coordinator until he joined the Raiders for his second attempt at head coaching. During the 2021 season, McDaniels was also responsible for grooming Mac Jones, the team’s first-round quarterback in the NFL Draft, and he would help them secure a playoff berth.
The Patriots are hoping McDaniels can pave the way for Maye, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft who has shown greatness in his first NFL season despite the team’s overall struggles. Maye threw for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns to 10 interceptions with two rushing touchdowns for 421 yards in 12 games.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels reacts to a game against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (IMAGINE)
As Vrabel continues to strengthen his coaching staff this offseason, bringing in a familiar face with a long track record could go a long way for a Patriots team that continues to search for its next dynasty.
