The expected result of the Patriots head coach search this offseason was that former linebacker and ex-Titans head coach Mike Vrabel would be who Robert Kraft would ultimately hire. The owner had favored him to take the role in 2024, before he decided to give the job to Jerod Mayo, but Vrabel was still under contract with the Titans.
Once he became available, it was too late and Mayo had been given the job, making Vrabel the leading candidate this offseason. So it was a surprise to no one that he was named the 16th head coach of the New England Patriots fairly quickly.
Then rumors began about who would be the next offensive coordinator, assuming that Alex Van Pelt would be on the outs. Josh McDaniels name was immediately thrown into the mix, as he had been away from the NFL since the Raiders fired him mid-season in 2023, and he was eventually hired for the role back in New England.
Because fans and reporters weren't thrilled with how the Krafts conducted their head coach search, many felt that the decision to hire McDaniels for the third time was a decision by ownership. However, according to at least one NFL insider, that is far from the truth.
Adam Schefter shuts down the idea of Robert Kraft hiring Josh McDaniels instead of Mike Vrabel
During an appearance on WEEI last week, Adam Schefter spoke about McDaniels return to where he has been the most successful in his career and had something to say about the growing narrative that the Krafts hired him rather than Vrabel.
He immediately shut down any speculation about the decision, simply stating it was, in fact, Vrabel's decision to bring back the skilled offensive coordinator and his decision only.
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That might not end the debate surrounding McDaniels' return, but it's further proof that Kraft is giving Vrabel more say in what's going on in Foxboro than what some have previously thought.
The two-time failed head coach might not be what fans were hoping for in the team's next offensive coordinator, even maybe looking at a younger play-caller to work with Drake Maye. That led many to eye Ben Johnson for the head coach vacancy over Vrabel. However, McDaniels is a longtime proven offensive guru and has worked well with various quarterbacks in New England, many of whom are not named Tom Brady, which holds a lot of weight.
Vrabel is very aware of that and wants to put Maye in the best position possible to succeed, so who better than a guy who was part of several championship-winning teams, helped Cam Newton break several records during his lone season with the Patriots, and made Mac Jones look like a Pro Bowler?