Report: Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel interviewed ex-Bill Belichick OC Josh McDaniels for same position

Is the band getting back together in New England?

Newly hired Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel interviewed Josh McDaniels on Tuesday for the team’s offensive coordinator vacancy, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports.

McDaniels was New England’s offensive coordinator under Bill Belichick for 13 seasons across two stints and an assistant coach under Belichick for five years prior to that. Vrabel played linebacker in New England for eight seasons (2001-08) while McDaniels was on staff.

Vrabel is back in coaching a season removed from being fired by the Tennessee Titans and is looking to a familiar face as he considers his new staff. Vrabel spent the 2024 season as a consultant with the Browns after the Titans fired him last offseason. The Patriots made him the first coach off the market in the current offseason coaching cycle.

Will Vrabel look to McDaniels to develop Drake Maye?

McDaniels returned to the Patriots in 2012 after three years away that included two seasons as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. He remained on Belichick’s staff through the 2021 season, then left to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. He lasted two seasons before the Raiders fired him after the 2023 season. McDaniels was out of coaching in 2024.

Vrabel’s expertise is on the defensive side of the ball, adding weight to his decision at offensive coordinator. Whomever Vrabel hires will be tasked with developing quarterback Drake Maye, who demonstrated substantial upside as a rookie after being selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft.

McDaniels was the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for most of the Tom Brady era in New England, a track record that could prove appealing as the Patriots look to develop their next franchise quarterback.