Mike Vrabel won’t be the only familiar face on the New England Patriots sideline next season.
The Patriots are set to reunite with one of their longest-serving former coaches, with the team expected to bring back Josh McDaniels as their offensive coordinator for the 2025 campaign, NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday.
McDaniels has had two long stints with the Patriots, both working under Bill Belichick. He was hired by the team in 2001 as a personnel assistant, eventually climbing the ranks until he became their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2006-2008.
Following a two-year stint as the head coach of the Denver Broncos, he returned to the Patriots to serve as their OC from 2012 to 2021. Following another successful run with the dynastic franchise, he was hired as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.
He was fired by the Raiders midway through the 2023 season.
McDaniels worked alongside Belichick and QB Tom Brady to help craft the most successful two-decade run in NFL history and has six Super Bowl rings to show for it. However, he has yet to succeed in a lead role.
According to a report from Rapoport last week, McDaniels has been the favourite for the OC job since the team hired Vrabel on Jan. 12, reuniting the former coach and player on the sidelines.
Past working with Brady, the 48-year-old offensive play-caller has had success working with talents under centre, helping QBs like Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett and Mac Jones to some of their best seasons.
He’ll now work with young QB Drake Maye, who looked promising in a down year for New England, throwing for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. in 12 starts.