Once it was made clear that Jerod Mayo's time as the Patriots' head coach was over, who Robert Kraft chose to be his replacement brought out a lot of excitement (and concern) from fans. It was more promising when the top contenders were named Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, as both were considered the most desirable candidates for head coach-needy teams this offseason.
The decision was eventually made to bring Vrabel back to Foxboro, which seemed to be what Kraft wanted to do in 2024 as well, but he wasn't available at the time.
It seemed like the best move possible, given the team's position and the kind of experience Vrabel could bring to the table. It became even more validating seeing who he chose to surround himself with for the Patriots 2025 coaching staff, with just one exception.
When the official announcement was made about who would be on the sidelines for the season ahead, there was a lot of confusion surrounding Vrabel's decision to retain Ben McAdoo, who was on Mayo's staff last year. The failed head coach was a questioned hire to begin with, but those concerns heightened seeing Vrabel move him from the offense to the defense.
While some worries still exist, hearing Vrabel's explanation for his decision should mostly ease them as free agency begins shortly.
Mike Vrabel's decision to move Ben McAdoo to the defense makes too much sense
As one of the only coaching hires that anyone questioned this offseason, Vrabel was, of course, asked about McAdoo while speaking to reporters at the NFL Combine on Tuesday.
Because he was one of the only coaches from the 2024 staff to be retained, the assumption was he would remain with the offense, where he's spent his career. But instead, Vrabel moved him to take on the role of a senior defensive assistant, which he explained in the best way possible.
Mike Vrabel compares Ben McAdoo’s move to the defense to his role in Cleveland last year, providing a perspective from the other side of the ball
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) February 25, 2025
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book in the NFL, especially for the Patriots. It's a big reason why the partnership between Bill Belichick and Tom Brady worked so well for so long. It explains one part of how the quarterback was impressively good at reading defenses because he worked hand in hand with one of the best defensive minds the NFL has ever seen, providing him with firsthand knowledge that not many in his position ever learned.
Because McAdoo's history lies with the offense, he can provide that kind of insight to the defense to help them better understand the game from a different perspective. That will ultimately make them a better group, which is exactly what they need for the season ahead.
Based on how the defense performed last year, having a better understanding of offenses will tremendously impact their production, not to mention working with and learning from a guy like Vrabel.
While McAdoo is indeed no Belichick (nobody is, to be fair), he can still be a significant factor in getting the Patriots' defense back on track, which is all fans should care about.