The New England Patriots and Josh McDaniels simply can not quit going back to each other.
McDaniels is reportedly headed back to New England for a third time to serve as the team’s offensive coordinator, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Tuesday night.
He will be the latest addition to new head coach Mike Vrabel’s staff.
McDaniels previously served as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator from 2006-08 before becoming head coach of the Denver Broncos, and then again from 2012-21 before he left to be the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
When the move becomes official, McDaniels will have the responsibility of helping turn Drake Maye into the team’s next franchise quarterback.
While McDaniels mostly failed in both of his head-coaching stops in Denver and Las Vegas, he does have a strong track record as a coordinator in New England. The key point that has to follow that, however, is that the bulk of that success came when Tom Brady was the team’s quarterback.
He did help put together an offense in 2021 that was sixth in the NFL in points scored with Mac Jones playing quarterback. So there might be some reason for optimism that he can put together a good offense around Maye.
Familiarity is a big part of this for the Patriots.
Not only has McDaniels been a regular on the team’s sideline over the past 18 years, he was also a member of the team’s coaching staff for Vrabel’s entire tenure as a player in New England.
The Patriots have also seemed pretty committed to only hiring people that have played for the team or were on long-time head coach Bill Belichick’s coaching staffs.
When the Patriots and Belichick parted ways following the 2023 season, the team turned to long-time player and Belichick assistant Jerod Mayo to take over. When that did not work after one season, they turned to Vrabel — another former Patriots player and Belichick assistant — who is bringing back McDaniels.
