The New England Patriots staff under new head coach Mike Vrabel is starting to take shape, and the men who will fill key positions will play a sizable role in where this rebuilding franchise heads over the next few years.
One of those most important positions is the role of offensive coordinator, especially considering that the Patriots have a young and promising quarterback in Drake Maye whom they’re hoping to mold into a worthy successor to Tom Brady.
The Patriots reportedly have hired an offensive coordinator, and like Vrabel, he is another face familiar to the franchise.
“The Patriots are hiring Josh McDaniels as their new OC, sources tell NFL on FOX,” Jordan Schultz wrote on X.
BREAKING: The #Patriots are hiring Josh McDaniels as their new OC, sources tell @NFLonFOX.
McDaniels returns to New England, this time under Mike Vrabel. The six-time Super Bowl champ will play a key role in developing Drake Maye. https://t.co/eYORlCQJnn pic.twitter.com/EF3TL5V3pY
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 21, 2025
McDaniels was last head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, who had a 9-16 record under his leadership.
He also was 11-17 as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009 and 2010.
But Patriots fans will fondly remember McDaniels as their offensive coordinator for a good part of their dynasty, first from 2006 to 2008, and again from 2012 to 2021.
Prior to his first stint, he was an assistant coach and then quarterbacks coach starting in 2001, which was Brady’s first year as the starter.
Now McDaniels will be one of the men working with Maye, but the difference is that neither will have celebrated skill players such as Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman or Wes Welker.
But New England does have the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as a lot of salary cap space, and from there, perhaps Vrabel and McDaniels can build a decent supporting cast on offense.
NEXT: Patriots Announce Moves With 4 Offensive Assistants
