Why Was Josh McDaniels Best For Patriots? Mike Vrabel Shares Reasoning

Josh McDaniels’ familiarity with the Patriots isn’t why Mike Vrabel tabbed McDaniels as the team’s offensive coordinator.

There’s much more to it than that, the Patriots head coach expressed.

During an interview with WBZ-TV’s Steve Burton released Sunday, Vrabel lauded McDaniels for everything he brings to the table, including his teachings and versatility. It marked Vrabel’s first media availability since New England named McDaniels the offensive play-caller last week.

“When you talk about Josh, I just think schematically the way he teaches the quarterback, the versatility in the offense, and the base foundation of the offense,” Vrabel told Burton. “His growth, I think, in that offense, trying to put conflict on the defense in the way he structures a gameplan, in the way that he calls the gameplan.

“Having gone against him and having seen the system here as a player, and that’s evolved. There is a lot more to it than that. I know that he’s — in our conversations, worked hard and studied, visited and met with people. We’re going to continue to add things that we feel helps our players and give us an advantage to score touchdowns and take care of the football.”

Vrabel told NESN.com after his introductory press conference the versatility of scheme was a key trait he would be looking for in his offensive play-caller. That fits McDaniels to a tee, as Patriots fans are well-aware given McDaniels’ 13 previous seasons as an offensive coordinator in New England.

Vrabel also discussed why he brought on Terrell Williams as the Patriots defensive coordinator as well and why he retained Jeremy Springer as the special teams coordinator.