The New England Patriots are potentially turning back to their glory days with the appointment of Mike Vrabel as their new head coach.
Taking over from Jerod Mayo, who stepped in after Bill Belichick’s storied tenure, Vrabel brings with him not just experience but a deep connection to the franchise’s winning culture, having earned three Super Bowl rings during his playing days with the team.
The appointment has already garnered strong support, particularly from former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Speaking on “NFL on FOX Pregame,” Gronkowski expressed unwavering confidence in Vrabel’s leadership abilities.
“The New England Patriots got their guy in Patriot great Mike Vrabel,” Gronkowski said. “This guy is going to keep everyone accountable in the organization from the coaching staff to the players. He’s going to keep himself accountable and even the front office he’s going to keep accountable. This guy has knowledge, he has the power. He’s going to be great.”
“This guy is going to keep everyone accountable in the organization.” @RobGronkowski shares his thoughts on the Patriots hiring Mike Vrabel as their new head coach ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/t8zAIwyFVp
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 12, 2025
Gronkowski didn’t stop there, offering his thoughts on who should join Vrabel’s coaching staff.
He specifically pointed to Josh McDaniels as the ideal candidate for offensive coordinator, believing his extensive history with the Patriots could prove invaluable for the team’s new chapter.
“If I’m Mike Vrabel, the first thing I would do is dial up the number of Josh McDaniels – a familiar face to Patriots fans – and hire him as the offensive coordinator as soon as possible,” Gronk emphasized.
McDaniels’ history with New England spans over two decades, beginning as a personnel assistant in 2001.
He climbed the ranks to become offensive coordinator in 2006, and after brief spells with the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams, he returned to New England in 2012.
McDaniels served as offensive coordinator until 2021 before accepting the head coaching position with the Las Vegas Raiders, bringing a wealth of experience that could prove crucial if he returns to his former team.
