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The New England PatriotsThe head coaching selection was a familiar face, and Mike Vrabel continued that trend with his hiring of offensive coordinator in 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, although the first with Vrabel at the helm and at quarterback Drake Maye mold after his 2024 championship campaign.
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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels watches against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
McDaniels was among the offensive coordinator candidates the Patriots interviewed, which included Chicago Bears pass rush coordinator Thomas Brown and Los Angeles Chargers pass rush coordinator Marcus Brady, according to ESPN.
McDaniels sat out 2024 after being fired midseason by the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2023 campaign. He was also the head coach in 2022, but things didn’t work out and owner Mark Davis called for a move on.
While the Raiders are still looking for their own head coach after dismissal of Antonio Pierceserving on an interim basis after McDaniels’ departure in 2023, the Patriots found their guy in Vrabel after parting ways with Jerod Mayo after his first and only season.
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Additionally, while Vrabel and McDaniels have never coached together, they share a bond from their time together as a player and as a coach, winning three Super Bowls in the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady eras.
McDaniels’ big break into the NFL came with the Patriots in 2001 as an assistant under 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)
However, that was short-lived, as McDaniels was fired in December 2010, when he would eventually return to the Patriots after serving as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2011.
McDaniels will enjoy his time as New England’s coordinator from then until moving to the Raiders for his second attempt at being a head coach. During the 2021 season, McDaniels was also tasked with grooming Mac Jones, the team’s No. 1 running back in the NFL Draft, and he would help them clinch a playoff spot.
The Patriots will hope McDaniels can lead Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who has shown flashes of brilliance 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 on the play against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (IMAGIN)
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As Vrabel continues to build his coaching staff this offseason, bringing in a familiar face with extensive experience is something that could go a long way for a Patriots team that continues to search for its next dynasty.
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