Key architect of NE dynasty returns looking to help Maye the way he helped Brady

Sometimes you have to go back to move forward.

At least that seems to be the motto in Foxborough, Massachusetts lately.

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Robert Kraft hired Mike Vrabel to be the Patriots head coach as soon as the season ended, and now another familiar face returns.

For a third time.

Vrabel has hired Josh McDaniels to be his offensive coordinator.

A position that McDaniels has already held twice in New England on two separate occasions.

Once from 2006-2008, and then from 2012-2021.

Now he is back for 2025.

Vrabel is bringing McDaniels back, in hopes he can do what he did for Tom Brady, for Drake Maye.

No one is saying that Maye is Brady, far from it.

But there’s also no denying the talent and potential the rookie quarterback flashed in his first season.

It’s easy to see why McDaniels is returning to New England for a third time.

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He believes in Maye, or else he wouldn’t be taking the job.

McDaniels left New England for the first time, back in 2009 to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos.

He lasted less than two seasons, going 11-17.

He returned to Bill Belichick’s staff and helped them win three more Super Bowls.

McDaniels then left again to take a head coaching job with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.

He once again lasted less than two seasons, going 9-16.

For those keeping track, that’s 20-33 as a head coach in less than four full seasons.

Being a head coach isn’t his thing.

And that’s okay.

He’s now returned to the place he knows best, where he’s had the most success.

Calling plays in Gillette Stadium.

While fans would have probably liked to see Brady and Belichick follow Vrabel and McDaniels back home, that isn’t happening.

It’s Maye’s time, with a help from a few old friends.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.