Tag: Josh McDaniels

Josh McDaniels reportedly had major role in adding this coach to Patriots staff

Josh McDaniels reportedly played a “major role” in Todd Downing being hired as the Patriots’ WR coach

The New England Patriots have made several coaching staff moves since Mike Vrabel took over as head coach. However, at least one of those moves reportedly came at the hand of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

According to the Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard, McDaniels is believed to be behind the decision to hire Todd Downing as the Patriots’ new wide receivers coach.

Downing most recently coached with the New York Jets as their quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. He took over the offensive playcalling duties following Nathaniel Hackett being fired by the team.

“They went through extensive searches, specific to the wide receivers position, they talked to a lot of college receivers coaches,” Bedard said on the “Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast.” “But from what I understand, Vrabel was not going to force anybody on McDaniels. From what I understand, Vrabel wasn’t even involved in the Todd Downing interview.

“He wanted to make sure that if it was Todd Downing, that McDaniels really wanted him. From what I understand, that is true. McDaniels really wanted him, really liked him. McDaniels, he didn’t even need a former receivers coach. He just wanted a really good coach.”

There’s hope that McDaniels choosing the wide receivers coach will help with the overall cohesiveness of the offensive coaching in New England. The development and production at the wide receiver position have been a struggle for the team for years.

Perhaps they’ll get closer to fixing it with this latest coaching move.

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Mike Vrabel’s detailed reason for bringing Josh McDaniels back to Patriots

Mike Vrabel explains what he sees in Josh McDaniels as a football coach

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is clearly a fan of the way Josh McDaniels sees the game. It’s for that reason that he hired him to return for a third stint as offensive coordinator for the Patriots.

The hope is that McDaniels’ offensive coaching can help rejuvenate the Patriots’ struggling offense as a whole. He told as much to CBS Boston’s Steve Burton in a recent interview, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Sean T. McGuire.

“When you talk about Josh, I just think schematically the way he teaches the quarterback, the versatility in the offense, and the base foundation of the offense,” Vrabel told Burton. “His growth, I think, in that offense, trying to put conflict on the defense in the way he structures a gameplan, in the way that he calls the gameplan.

“Having gone against him and having seen the system here as a player, and that’s evolved. There is a lot more to it than that. I know that he’s — in our conversations, worked hard and studied, visited, and met with people. 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.”

Vrabel played for the Patriots while McDaniels worked his way through Bill Belichick’s coaching ranks from 2001-2008. During that time, he got to see McDaniels contribute to winning offenses, as the trio of McDaniels, Belichick and Tom Brady helped form an unprecedented dynasty.

Now, Vrabel wants McDaniels to help start a new era. The offensive coordinator won’t have Brady anymore, but he will have a promising young quarterback in Drake Maye.

The second-year signal-caller and his exceptionally high ceiling give McDaniels a chance to open up the playbook right out of the gates in 2025.

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Former Patriots QB comments on new offensive scheme for Drake Maye

Scott Zolak believes the Patriots offense will adapt to Drake Maye

New England Patriots commentator and former quarterback Scott Zolak says newly-hired offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels won’t force Drake Maye to run the Tom Brady-style offense.

There have been some concerns over Maye being the right fit for the way McDaniels has called the offense in the past for New England. However, Zolak believes the coach will make the necessary adjustments to adapt to what Maye does best.

“I know this for a fact. He will not force him to run the Brady offense,” Zolak said on 98.5 The Sports Hub. “That was Tom’s offense. They took that thing to another level. If Josh feels Drake is better off, terminology-wise, running a West Coast-style offense, Josh will move to that.”

A West Coast offensive system would focus on short passes to increase the efficiency of the ground game for the Patriots.

No one knows exactly what offensive system the team will install until McDaniels starts working with Maye. If anything, Maye’s versatility as a passer and a playmaker with his legs could give McDaniels a chance to open up the offense even more.

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Josh McDaniels breaks silence after returning to Patriots as OC

Josh McDaniels comments on his return to New England

Josh McDaniels coached Tom Brady, Cam Newton and Mac Jones as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator. Now, he’ll return to the sidelines in Foxborough to coach Drake Maye.

The biggest Mike Vrabel hiring was made official this week. After interviewing multiple candidates, the newly hired head coach decided to bring back the six-time Super Bowl-winning assistant as the offensive play-caller in New England.

McDaniels called Foxborough “home” when sitting down with the Patriots’ social media team for an interview.

“This place has such a special attraction to me,” said McDaniels. “This area is home to me. I’m super excited that I have an opportunity to try and impact this place. I picked Mike up from the airport when he came here.

“Always been an extremely hard worker, as smart a player as we’ve had here, as I’ve been around as a coach. I trust his vision. I really understand what he’s going to look for from me—and what he’s going to build here, and what he’s going to put together and how he’s going to lead us.”

McDaniels is the greatest offensive coach in franchise history, and he should be able to get the most out of Maye, who still has plenty of room to grow as an NFL quarterback.

If the Patriots can upgrade the rest of the offense through free agency and the draft, the combination of Maye and McDaniels could make some serious noise together.

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Kendrick Bourne’s two-word reaction to Patriots hiring Josh McDaniels

Kendrick Bourne had a career-season under Josh McDaniels

Veteran wideout Kendrick Bourne is excited to have Josh McDaniels back in the fold as the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator.

Bourne had a career-year with McDaniels calling the offensive plays in 2021. He recorded 70 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns that season with Mac Jones at quarterback. The Patriots made the playoffs that season, and Jones earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie.

McDaniels will be working with another young quarterback in Drake Maye in his third stint with the team. Bourne played a big part in Jones’ standout season, and he’ll try to do the same for Maye in 2025. He was clearly excited when hearing the news on McDaniels’ return to New England.

There’s hope for the Patriots offensively with Maye at quarterback. However, coaching will be equally as important as surrounding Maye with the necessary talent to be successful.

Patriots fans are hoping they can replicate their previous offensive success with McDaniels back in the fold.

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Pats hire Josh McDaniels as OC, leaving Udinski available for Seahawks

Pats hire Josh McDaniels as OC, leaving Udinski available for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are still seeking for their next offensive coordinator and it appears some potential competition for one of their final candidates has vanished. It was reported on Tuesday that the New England Patriots were interviewing Minnesota Vikings assistant offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski, who had two interviews already with the Seahawks.

Well, Seattle can cross New England off its concern list, at least when it comes to Udinski, because the Pats have found their new guy… er, should I say, their old one. New England head coach Mike Vrabel has brought a familiar face back to Foxboro in the form of Josh McDaniels, who will begin his third stint as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator.

With New England going down a familiar path with McDaniels, this leaves Udinski open as an option should the Seahawks believe he is their guy. Udinski is seen as a rising star. Hiring him would signal Mike Macdonald and Seattle want potential and to keep the youth movement on their coaching staff alive and well.

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Patriots legend wanted Chip Kelly over Josh McDaniels as OC

Did the Patriots make the right choice?

Former New England Patriots linebacker and current NFL analyst Ted Johnson initially wanted Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly over Josh McDaniels as the Patriots offensive coordinator.

Kelly is coming off a national championship win with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Johnson believed that a coach like Kelly could have helped develop Drake Maye, who is set to enter a pivotal second season with the Patriots. He thinks Kelly’s background as a college coach would have been an important factor.

“When you talk about all the different styles of quarterbacks — there’s no more pocket quarterbacks,” said Johnson, as transcribed by NBC Sports Boston’s Darren Hartwell. “The best quarterbacks in the league right now are guys that are mobile, can move on the run, and you can create creative plays and game plans around because of their athletic ability.

“You mentioned Chip Kelly; to me, he’s a better option and I’d feel more comfortable with him being here than I would with Josh McDaniels.”

Along with serving as the offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes, Kelly had two major head coaching job stints with Oregon and UCLA. He’s an experienced college coach who would have been a unique option for the Patriots.

But they ultimately decided to go the familiar path with McDaniels coaching the offense.

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Here are the Patriots’ new coordinators for 2025 season

Mike Vrabel has rounded out his main coaching staff

The coordinators for the 2025 season are set for the New England Patriots.

Coach Mike Vrabel put together a staff of familiar faces, including offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, defensive coordinator Terrell Williams and special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer.

McDaniels coached for the Patriots when Vrabel was still in a helmet and shoulder pads with the team. He’s a six-time Super Bowl champion and the most successful offensive coach in franchise history.

Williams worked under Vrabel during their time together with the Tennessee Titans. He is coming off an impressive one-year run as the defensive line coach for the Detroit Lions.

Meanwhile, Springer was brought in by Jerod Mayo last year and allowed to stick around under the new regime after a strong year coaching up the special teams unit.

  • Offensive coordinator: Josh McDaniels
  • Defensive coordinator: Terrell Williams
  • Special teams coordinator: Jeremy Springer

There’s a mix of old and new with Vrabel’s staff, but there will be more experience than the team had under the previous staff. Here’s hoping that leads to better coaching and more wins for the 4-13 Patriots.

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Instant analysis of Patriots hiring Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator

Instant analysis of Josh McDaniels returning to New England for a third stint

Josh McDaniels is expected to reunite with coach Mike Vrabel as the new offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported on Tuesday that McDaniels is returning for a third stint with the Patriots. It’s a move that has been mostly applauded by Patriots fans.

However, there are some skeptics considering how bad the offense has looked over the last three seasons. Some were hoping for a new offensive mind entirely to get away from the Bill Belichick way of doing things.

That sentiment is understandable, but then again, the Patriots shouldn’t change simply for the sake of changing. McDaniels is an incredible offensive coordinator, even though that didn’t translate into him being a good head coach.

There is also a serious comfort level already in place with Vrabel. That familiarity and working relationship will be important for the team to get up and running right out of the gates.

It’s important to keep in mind that the Patriots aren’t necessarily a desired destination for would-be coaches right now. Sure, they have a promising up-and-comer with Drake Maye at quarterback, but they need to put the right pieces around him to give the offense a fighting chance.

It makes more sense for Vrabel to hire an experienced coach like McDaniels over making a promising newcomer a first-time offensive coordinator. The Patriots don’t have time to play those sorts of games with their recent track record.

McDaniels had Mac Jones playing at a Pro Bowl level as a rookie quarterback.

Imagine what he could do with Maye.

The Patriots must get this hire right because they are committing the cardinal sin of making an offensive coordinator change on a young quarterback. That didn’t turn out so well for former Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, who was never the same after McDaniels left.

It’s a piece of history the team never wants to repeat.

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Report: Josh McDaniels expected to return to Patriots as offensive coordinator

Josh McDaniels is expected to return to New England.

Josh McDaniels is expected to be hired as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator, according to a report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

McDaniels has an extensive history with the Patriots organization. He was the team’s offensive coordinator from 2006-2008 and then again from 2012-2021. He also served separate quarterbacks coach roles during that same timeframe.

The longtime offensive guru was on the Patriots’ coaching staff for all six Super Bowl runs. He was always believed to be the top option for newly hired head coach Mike Vrabel.

It’s an intriguing addition to the coaching staff considering how successful the offense has been under McDaniels. He got the most out of former Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, who went to the playoffs and made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.

However, things fell off a cliff the moment McDaniels left for the head coaching job with the Las Vegas Raiders. Time will tell what kind of results this move ultimately yields.

For now, the NFL world can chalk this news up as a feel-good moment for Patriots fans.

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