The last remaining crucial role on the Patriots' new offensive coaching staff left to be filled was the wide receivers coach, which prompted plenty of rumors regarding who Mike Vrabel might bring in.
For the last few weeks, most of the conversation surrounded the potential return of former wide receiver and recently dismissed coach Wes Welker, with even ESPN's Mike Reiss revealing he was the frontrunner for the job as recently as this past Sunday.
The idea elicited a big reaction from Patriots fans, who, despite their checkered history of appreciation for Welker, were hoping he would make his way back to Foxboro. Since moving into the coaching sphere, he has gained a plethora of experience and has worked with some of the most talented players in the league.
That would have made him a great addition to the already impressive staff Vrabel has put together for the 2025 season, but new reports indicate the Patriots chose to hire someone else instead.
Read More: Patriots coaching staff tracker for 2025 NFL season under Mike Vrabel
Patriots pass on hiring Wes Welker as their wide receivers coach for Todd Downing instead
The underlying qualification of having previous ties to the current regime appears to be sticking with Vrabel, as he has decided to hire Todd Downing as the Patriots' next wide receivers coach, according to multiple reporters.
Downing most recently served as the Jets passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, but that's not where his offensive experience ends.
He's been coaching in the NFL since 2005 and has worked on eight different teams in various roles since then. He has a few connections to the current coaching staff, most notably having been a part of Vrabel's staff on the Titans from 2019 - 2022. Downing was the tight ends coach in Tennessee and helped ex-Patriot Jonnu Smith put together great first years in the NFL, which led to the Patriots signing him to a hefty contract in 2021.
With the other teams he's worked for, he has served as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and offensive quality control coach, giving him more than enough offensive experience to fully understand how the offense needs to work.
Hopefully, that experience will translate well in Foxboro and put the wide receivers back on track after a more than disappointing 2024 season.