Mike Vrabel is being viewed as the frontrunner to become the new head coach of the New England Patriots. The former Tennessee Titans head coach played eight seasons for the Patriots and won three Super Bowls with the franchise.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones recently reported that Vrabel could be announced as the new Patriots head coach in the coming days. He also hinted that the 49-year-old could bring Josh McDaniels on board to work as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Patriots Fans React to Mike Vrabel Reportedly Bringing Josh McDaniels
The Patriots fans were unhappy after hearing McDaniels could return to New England. The former Las Vegas Raiders head coach was the Patriots’ offensive coordinator from 2006-2008 and then from 2012-2021.
Fans on social media believe McDaniels will not be an ideal OC for Drake Maye, who impressed everyone with how he played in his rookie season. Here are some of the reactions:
Yeah we’re cooked lol
— ɪᴍ.ʀɪʟᴇʏ シ ✞ ☘️ (@CookedByRiley0) January 11, 2025
“Stop trying to hype this s**t up, bro. This is horrible,” said a fan.
Another fan added, “Franchise is in the gutter. Trash a** Kraft.”
I really don't want Josh! Would love to go in another direction
— DJ BOOGY (@OGBOOGY_) January 11, 2025
“What a f***ing disaster, Franchise QB being managed by Mcdaniels and Vrabel,” wrote a fan.
Another fan questioned, “When will they understand that what made McDaniels’ attack so special was the number 12 [Tom Brady]???”
Word so we’re never gonna be good again https://t.co/2h5sExasUz
— Belichick’s Handler (@CelticEnjoyer) January 11, 2025
The Patriots also interviewed Ben Johnson for their head coaching role. The team’s fans would have preferred him over Vrabel, as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator would have been the person to help Maye.
However, most people around the league knew the AFC East franchise might select Vrabel as their next head coach. As a result, Lions’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn didn’t even interview for the job.
The Patriots fired Jerod Mayo after just one season with the team, so the fans will have expectations from the duo of Vrabel and McDaniels to lead the team back to its glory days. Unlike Mayo, Vrabel has previous experience of coaching in the NFL. The latter did well during his time in Tennessee and is ready to return as a head coach after taking a break of one year.
McDaniels Could Help in Drake Maye’s Development
Although Patriots fans were not pleased to hear about McDaniels potentially becoming the team’s new offensive coordinator, this could work in the team’s favor. The 48-year-old coach has had two failed stints as a head coach with the Denver Broncos and the Raiders, but he did well during his team’s time in New England.
The Brady factor is real, but McDaniels also had success with Mac Jones during the quarterback’s rookie season. The Alabama product regressed massively after McDaniels left to coach the Raiders and hasn’t looked the same since then.
Maye is a promising young quarterback who is already showing more promise than Jones has since his initially promising rookie season. McDaniels could potentially bring the best out of him as he will be focused only on the offensive side of the ball rather than managing the whole team.
- Mac Jones’ QB+ as a rookie (2021): 76.9 (C), 17th in the NFL
- Drake Maye’s QB+ as a rookie (2024): 74.7 (C), 19th in the NFL
Moreover, Vrabel’s presence will also benefit both the quarterback and the OC. Maye has the potential to become a superstar in the NFL. However, the franchise must surround him with talent for that to happen. The Patriots’ new coaching staff will have their work cut out for them this offseason, as they have to select quality players in the draft, which the franchise hasn’t done consistently for a long time.
Per Spotrac, the Patriots are projected to have the most cap space next season ($133.5 million), and the franchise has to go all in to get Tee Higgins in free agency.