New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Do you guys just like the sound of that?
It’s something however official at this level, although all indicators level to that being the end result of the group’s first true teaching search in over 20 years. Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft already has and can proceed to obtain criticism for his method to the method, however on the finish of the day, we’ll all transfer with an eye fixed towards how the remainder of the staffing choices that should be made.
Vrabel’s aren’t too tough to decipher, so earlier than a transfer is finally made, we determined to try notable names who may sooner or later be a part of him in Foxboro, Mass.
OFFENSIVE STAFF
Josh McDaniels
McDaniels is a reputation that has been floated during the last a number of days, whether or not you prefer it or not.
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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported there was “buzz” {that a} union may finally come to fruition, and whereas the play-calling facet to issues is sufficient to make followers really feel uneasy, there’s little doubt the 48-year-old is aware of the best way to develop younger quarterbacks. Vrabel’s former offensive coordinators from his days with the Tennessee Titans (Matt LaFleur, Arthur Smith, Todd Downing and Tim Kelly) are both preoccupied or unfit for the job, so maybe he may search for a confirmed commodity. It’s unlikely you’d have to fret about him leaving for a head teaching gig, both.
Tommy Rees
Rees is the alternative of a confirmed commodity, however he’s been exploding up the teaching ranks during the last a number of seasons — holding game-planning roles with Notre Dame, Alabama and the Cleveland Browns since 2020.
Vrabel and Rees labored along with tight ends final season in Cleveland, so that they’ve clearly developed a relationship. Is it sufficient for the latter to earn such a monumental promotion, although?
Luke Steckel
Steckel is a longtime assistant of Vrabel, who jumped round to teach with the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders during the last two seasons. Las Vegas is unquestionably happy with the job he did teaching rookie record-setter Brock Bowers, however maybe the 39-year-old wish to return to one thing acquainted with his former boss.
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New England presently has one other former member of these early staffs in Tennessee (Bob Bicknell) teaching tight ends, however even when he’s retained you might herald Steckel to assist elsewhere on the offense.
Tony Dews
Dews is the popular operating backs coach of Vrabel, so this one feels very apparent as he’ll even be searching for a job after the New York Jets clear home.
DEFENSIVE STAFF
Shane Bowen
Bowen is presently the defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, however that may not final very lengthy. Boston Sports activities Journal’s Mike Giardi floated him as a possible candidate to hitch Vrabel at One Patriot Place if he have been to get fired.
It’s most likely a protected guess.
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Zak Kuhr
Kuhr has primarily adopted Bowen round for the final a number of seasons and has historical past teaching on each the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Why not?
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Anthony Levine Sr.
Levine may not have fond reminiscences of taking part in at Gillette Stadium from his time with the Baltimore Ravens (he’s the man who received beat to the tip zone by Danny Amendola on that famed double move from Julian Edelman) however he has familiarity with others on this hypothetical workers.
Levine spent the final two seasons teaching in Tennessee and maybe could possibly be given a chance to teach on the defensive facet of the ball on a brand new workers.
Bryan Cox
Sure, we’re speaking about that Bryan Cox.
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Cox, who gained a Tremendous Bowl throughout his lone season in New England, has bounced across the teaching world during the last decade-plus. Vrabel hasn’t but labored with him, however maybe spending time with Bowen in New York this previous season may result in a reunion between the 2 former teammates.
SPECIAL TEAMS STAFF
Tom Quinn
Quinn and Vrabel labored collectively for one season in 2023, and after doing a fantastic job alongside Jeremy Springer because the particular groups coaches in New England in 2024, maybe all of them resolve to maintain issues the identical heading into 2025.
