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Rob Gronkowski: Patriots hiring Josh McDaniels would bring Drake Maye to ‘another level’
"He helped out Tom Brady tremendously. Josh McDaniels has a full grasp of the offense."
The Patriots have a potential franchise fixture at quarterback in Drake Maye.
But one of the priorities for Mike Vrabel and New England’s top brass in 2025 is fostering further development for the second-year QB.
According to former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, the best way for New England to get the most out of Maye moving forward is by bringing former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels back into the fold.
Gronkowski first name-dropped McDaniels as a potential candidate for New England’s OC position before Vrabel was even appointed as the team’s head coach, then doubled down on the potential hire once Vrabel took the job last Sunday.
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Speaking on the “Up & Adams” show earlier this week, Gronkowski expanded on why McDaniels is the man for the job when it comes to developing Maye.
“Yes, I truly believe he would be the right one for Drake Maye,” Gronkowski said. “I mean, he dealt with Tom Brady throughout his whole entire career. … He helped out Tom Brady tremendously. Josh McDaniels has a full grasp of the offense. He knows how to demand respect as an offensive coordinator. He gets the players to listen to him.”
While McDaniels was aided during his two previous stints in New England by having Tom Brady as his quarterback, he also helped other signal-callers like Matt Cassel, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett, and Mac Jones find their footing in Foxborough over the years.
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During his final season as New England’s offensive coordinator in 2021, McDaniels helped Jones post a Pro Bowl season (22 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 3,801 passing yards).
After McDaniels left the Patriots to accept a head-coaching job with the Raiders, Jones bottomed out in 2022 and 2023 before eventually getting traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last offseason.
“Josh McDaniels is the guy. He knows how to develop quarterbacks,” Gronkowski added. “And not just quarterbacks, he knows how to develop players just like myself. … At the quarterback position that’s where he’s a masterpiece. And I believe he would take Drake Maye to a whole other level.”
Speaking on WEEI earlier this week, Vrabel was asked if McDaniels will be among the list of candidates for New England’s offensive coordinator position.
“Yeah, there’s a long list. I’ve had a relationship with Josh, and I have relationships with other offensive coaches and defensive coaches that we’re going to interview and want to bring in here,” Vrabel noted.
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