Mike Vrabel defends Josh McDaniels’ return as Patriots Offensive Coordinator
The New England Patriots hired Josh McDaniels and Terrell Williams as OC and DC as new head coach Mike Vrabel prepares for 2025.
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Josh McDaniels, Mike Vrabel (Images via Pro Football Rumors/Imagn)
The New England Patriots have hired former OC Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator replacing Alex Van Pelt. The Patriots’ offense finished the season ranked 31st in the yards gained per game (291.9) and third-lowest points per game among the 32 teams.
McDaniels is set to begin his third stint as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator, a role he previously held from 2006 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2021. McDaniels has been called radioactive after the miserable stints in the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders.
In 2023, McDaniels was fired midway through the season as the Raiders’ head coach. Considering the same, there is no doubt that fans and critics have questioned the decision to hire McDaniels over Thomas Brown and Grant Udinski.
Mike Vrabel, who has replaced Jerod Mayo as the head coach for the New England Patriots, has defended the management’s decision to welcome McDaniels once again. Vrabel praised McDaniels’ style of guiding quarterbacks, via Steve Burton of WBZ.
When you talk about Josh, I think schematically and the way he teaches the quarterback. The versatility of the offense and the base foundation of the offense…It has evolved and there is a lot more to it than that. I know from our conversations that he’s worked hard and studied, visited and met with people, and we’re going to continue to add things that we feel helps our players and give us an advantage to score touchdowns and take care of the football.
Mike Vrabel said
Renowned for his success with NFL legend Tom Brady, McDaniels has also demonstrated his ability to win with a variety of quarterbacks during his time in Foxborough, including Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett, an aging Cam Newton, and Mac Jones. Now, it’s to be seen whether McDaniels can work the same magic with Drake Maye, the Patriots’ rookie quarterback, and take his promising start to much higher heights.
Mike Vrabel also praised their new DC Terrell Williams
Vrabel is excited and pumped to lead a dying franchise, one that he has fond memories of, back to glory. He has made significant changes in the personnel from last year. They have moved on from DeMarcus Covington and hired the Detroit Lions defensive line coach and run game coordinator Terrell Williams.
Mike Vrabel and Williams have previously been clubbed together in Nashville where Williams was a defensive line coach under Vrabel. Vrabel told Burton that Williams was vital to Tennessee and him.
I’m excited for the people here in Boston and New England and our fans to get to know Terrell the way that I did my first year in Tennessee. He was on our coaching staff for six years and was a vital contributor to that success [in Tennessee]…I thought it was something that was important for me to do, to reward those coaches that have earned the right. That is something he had earned at the time, just like he earned this opportunity to be the defensive coordinator.
Mike Vrabel added
The New England Patriots had a top-10 defense which has flunked to 22nd this past season. They suffered a massive loss when Matthew Judon was traded to the Atlanta Falcons last August and further sustained blows when key players took on injuries as well.
The Patriots hope that Williams can work the same magic he designed in Titans for Harold Landry and Jeffery Simmons. He also played a significant role in helping Aidan Hutchinson as well.
As for the other roles, Vrabel chose to maintain continuity by retaining two of Jerod Mayo’s assistants. Jeremy Springer and Tom Quinn will remain in their roles as special teams coordinator and assistant special teams coach, respectively. This unit was notably the strongest of the three phases in 2024, finishing 13th in special teams DVOA and earning the second-highest grade from Pro Football Focus. Additionally, gunner Brenden Schooler emerged as an All-Pro during the season.
Related: Jalen Hurts addresses knee injury ahead of NFC Championship after divisional win over Rams
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Mohammed Bazim
(445 Articles Published)