Josh McDaniels is headed back to New England. The former Raiders head coach will serve as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator on Mike Vrabel’s staff, the team announced.
McDaniels, 48, previously spent two stints with the Patriots, first from 2001-08 and again from 2012 onward. He was the offensive coordinator for three of those seasons. His return comes after a rocky tenure with the Raiders, where he was fired on Oct. 31, 2023, with a 9-16 record over less than two seasons.
Vrabel, hired on Jan. 12, played linebacker for New England from 2001-08 and occasionally lined up on offense. He and McDaniels were teammates during the Patriots’ dynasty years.
McDaniels’ primary responsibility will be developing quarterback Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Maye, 22, completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a rookie.
McDaniels also had a brief stint as the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2011 and a disastrous 11-17 tenure as Broncos head coach from 2009-10.
