Mike Vrabel Addresses Josh McDaniels’ Potential Patriots Return
The Patriots already had one high-profile reunion this offseason, and they could be in store for another.
New England brought back former linebacker Mike Vrabel to be its head coach exactly one week after firing Jerod Mayo. Vrabel’s to-do list upon taking the job in Foxboro, Mass., was extensive and included items such as shaping the roster and rounding out his coaching staff.
The top priority on that list is unclear, but Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski believes it should be facilitating a New England return for Josh McDaniels. Vrabel on Tuesday was asked about Gronk imploring the new head coach to add McDaniels as his offensive coordinator.
“I’m going to look at every possible candidate that I feel like can help us,” Vrabel said on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “We’re gonna start that process today and this afternoon and visit with some great coaches and we’ll see where things go.”
Vrabel then was asked directly if McDaniels was on his list of coordinator candidates.
“Yeah,” Vrabel said. “It’s a long list. I’ve had a relationship with Josh and I’ve had relationships with other offensive coaches and defensive coaches that we’re going to interview and bring in here.”
McDaniels has not occupied an NFL coaching gig since he was fired by the Las Vegas Raiders in late October 2023. But familiarity with the franchise is a highly valued asset at One Patriot Place, so McDaniels might already have a leg up on the competition.