The most important coaching role has been filled, and now it’s time to move onto the second.
Mike Vrabel was named the Patriots head coach on Sunday after New England held four interviews, including one each with Ben Johnson and Vrabel. Now that the Patriots went with the culture-building Vrabel over the offensive-minded Johnson, it’s time to change gears to the coach who will be responsible for the offense.
Here are five offensive coordinator candidates Vrabel could consider:
Josh McDaniels
Reports continue to surface saying the 48-year-old McDaniels will be in the mix. McDaniels, who’s served as the Patriots offensive coordinator twice already, has not coached in the league since he was fired by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. McDaniels might not come with the same level of enthusiasm given he’s such known commodity, but that’s not to say he isn’t well-equipped to develop a young quarterback or create a game-plan. McDaniels’ biggest advantage actually might be that nobody else wants him. Unlike other up-and-coming offensive minds with head coach aspirations, he won’t be given the chance to bolt if things go well.
Tommy Rees
Vrabel worked with Rees in 2024 as the latter served as the pass game specialist and tight ends coach with the Cleveland Browns. Rees previously worked under legendary head coach Nick Saban as an offensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and spent six seasons as a coach at Notre Dame where he elevated to offensive coordinator in 2020. Rees is a fast-riser and has garnered plenty of praise from those around the league. He also interviewed for the Browns offensive coordinator job this offseason.
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Nick Caley
The Patriots offered Caley a “very healthy” contract to become their offensive coordinator last offseason, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Caley ultimately declined and opted to stay with Rams head coach Sean McVay for a second season. Was that because Caley didn’t trust then-Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo? Might he be more inclined to come to New England under Vrabel? Might he feel more confident to move on after another year under McVay? It wouldn’t be a surprise for the Patriots to show interest in Caley again.
Josh McCown
Vrabel might not be as familiar with McCown, but quarterback Drake Maye is. McCown coached Maye in high school and McCown’s sons, Owen and Aiden, were best friends with Maye. Maye called McCown a “great mind” last offseason. That’s not the only reason for McCown, though. He also spent the 2024 campaign as the Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach working under Coach of the Year candidate Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell deserves the lion’s share of credit for Sam Darnold’s resurgence, but there’s something to be said about McCown’s role as well. It wouldn’t be any surprise if the 45-year-old lands a coordinator job in the not-too-distant future.
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Alex Van Pelt
No, this isn’t the likely outcome after Van Pelt struggled with his play-calling during the 2024 season. But there is something to be said about Van Pelt’s work with Maye, who made vast improvements from the NFL draft to the end of the season. There also could be some similarities in Van Pelt’s offense and what Vrabel could want, given the former worked under Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski in 2023 and the latter in 2024. The fact Patriots fans likely wouldn’t like the idea of Van Pelt remaining, though, might be enough for Robert Kraft and Vrabel to let him go.
Featured image via Bob Donnan/Imagn Images
