Biggest Benefit Should Mike Vrabel, Patriots Hire Josh McDaniels

Josh McDaniels no longer is the up-and-coming offensive mind with head coaching aspirations.

McDaniels, who went 20-33 as a head coach with the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, will not land another head job in the league. Those days are behind McDaniels now, unlike other speculated candidates for the New England Patriots offensive coordinator role.

That’s the single-biggest benefit to hiring McDaniels.

If Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel brought the 48-year-old McDaniels back to New England, something that’s been heavily speculated, the former wouldn’t have to worry about the latter leaving after one or two good seasons with quarterback Drake Maye. Maye, who’s likely to be working with his fourth offensive coordinator in four years, would greatly benefit from that.

The trifecta of Vrabel, McDaniels and Maye would be able to establish consistently and familiarity in Foxboro, Mass. It could be a long-term marriage as opposed to a short-term play.

Because if Vrabel’s Patriots hire some youthful offensive mind — Tommy Rees or Nick Caley, for example — those coordinators might see their stock skyrocket with Maye. The third overall pick certainly appeared to be that good as a rookie, and there’s no doubt he’ll improve with better coaching and players around him.

Those coaches with aspirations of big cities and bright lights then would attract interest from others around the league, and almost certainly jump after one or two good seasons.

Is that a figure-it-out-when-we-get-there problem? Sure, it might be. Given the position the Patriots currently find themselves in, the Foxboro Faithful might struggle to think that far down the line. Vrabel’s coordinators attracting outside interest would be a win for the program, and prove New England got these hires correct.

While youthful coordinator candidates might have their advantages over McDaniels, though, the opportunity to create long-term cohesion is McDaniels’ biggest benefit.