Patriots reunite with Josh McDaniel as Mike Vrabel offensive coordinator: reports
The New England Patriots’ head coaching selections have been a familiar face, and Mike Vrabel continued that trend with a disastrous coordinator hire into the 2025 season.
The Patriots are expected to meet with Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator. Barstool Sports first reported that McDaniels was close to returning to the Patriots.
This will be the third time McDaniels returns to the Patriots, though the first to record after his rookie campaign in 2024 along with Vrabel and quarterback Drake May.
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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel watches the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
McDaniel 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 on ESPN.
McDaniel was out for 2024 after being fired by the Las Vegas Raiders midway through the 2023 campaign. In the year He was the head coach in 2022, but things didn’t work out and owner Mark Davis called for him to move on.
In the year While the Raiders continued their own coaching search after the firing of Antonio Pierce, who served as interim after McDaniels’ departure in 2023, the Patriots found their first and only one in Wrabel following their departure from Jerrod Mayo. Season.
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Additionally, while Vrabel and McDaniel have never worked together, they have a connection from their time together as players and coaches during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era, when they won three Super Bowls.
McDaniel’s big NFL break came with the Patriots in 2001 as an assistant under Belichick. He eventually worked his way up to being hired as the next head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009.
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel, left, and head coach Bill Belichick walk off the field following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. (Rich Barnes-USA Today Sports)
However, that was short-lived as McDaniels was fired in December 2010 when he returned to the Patriots after becoming the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2011.
McDaniel enjoyed being New England’s coordinator until he moved to the Raiders for his second attempt at head coaching. In the 2021 season, McDaniel was tasked with grooming Mack Jones, the team’s first-round quarterback pick in the NFL Draft, and he will help them earn a playoff berth.
The Patriots hope McDaniels will lead the way for May, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft who has shown greatness in his first NFL season despite the team’s overall struggles. May threw for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns to 10 interceptions on 421 yards in 12 games with two rushing touchdowns.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniel reacts during the first half of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in Detroit. (IMAGN)
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As Vrabel continues to build his coaching staff this offseason, bringing in a familiar face with an extensive history is a must for a veteran team that continues to search for the next dynasty.
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