By ETT Josh McDaniels Back in Foxborough
Josh McDaniels, the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator under Bill Belichick, is reportedly set to return to the team in the same role on Mike Vrabel’s staff.
McDaniels will replace Alex Van Pelt as New England’s offensive coordinator, with Van Pelt’s future position with the team uncertain after a season where rookie quarterback Drake Maye showcased plenty of development, but the overall offensive output left a lot to be desired.
A Familiar Face in Foxborough
McDaniels is no stranger to the Patriots. The 48-year-old coach won six Super Bowls in New England while serving in various roles on Belichick’s staff across two previous stints.
He joined the team as an assistant in 2001 before eventually taking over as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2005 to 2008. McDaniels returned to New England to be the offensive coordinator again in 2012 and had been in the same role until taking over as the Raiders’ head coach at the end of the 2021 campaign.
Head Coaching Misadventures
Sandwiched between his stints in New England were two disastrous head-coaching ventures with the Denver Broncos (2009-10) and Las Vegas Raiders (2022-23).
McDaniels’ Offensive Expertise
Even though McDaniels’ tenure as an NFL head coach left a lot to be desired, he has cultivated a reputation as a gifted and prepared OC who can get the most out of the personnel around him, especially at the QB position.
While McDaniels built a strong partnership working with Tom Brady over the years in New England, he also turned Mac Jones into a Pro Bowl QB during his rookie campaign in 2021.
During that season, New England’s offense ranked sixth in the NFL in scoring and eighth in yards per passing attempt, two metrics that cratered for both the Patriots and Jones once McDaniels left for Las Vegas.
A Bright Future with Maye
McDaniels should have much more to work with in a young QB like Maye, who was one of the few bright spots on New England’s 2024 roster.
Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski spoke highly of McDaniels’ fit in New England, emphasizing his ability to develop quarterbacks and players like himself.
Vrabel and McDaniels have a history together, as the two overlapped for eight seasons when McDaniels was on Belichick’s staff and Vrabel was a key player on New England’s defense.
McDaniels was one of four reported candidates who interviewed for New England’s OC position. He beat out Vikings assistant offensive coordinator/assistant QBs coach Grant Udinski, Chargers pass game coordinator Marcus Brady, and former Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown.