Big Patriots Coaching Addition Rumor Emerges After Mike Vrabel Deal

With the New England Patriots officially naming Mike Vrabel their next head coach on Sunday, Vrabel will start putting his staff together for the 2025 season. The Patriots reportedly made one move after Vrabel’s hiring, bringing New York Giants personnel advisor Ryan Cowden to Foxborough.

However, no one knows who Vrabel will go with when it comes to the offensive and defensive coordinators. The most recent rumors connected Josh McDaniels to the offensive coordinator gig in New England, which will not overly excite Pats fans.

But another candidate is flying under the radar that Vrabel recently worked with, who could be on his staff in New England. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Cleveland Browns passing game coordinator Tommy Rees “is of interest” to the Patriots.

Vrabel worked with Rees this season in Cleveland on Kevin Stefanski’s staff. The Patriots head coach was a coaching consultant, while Rees was the tight ends/pass game coordinator in his second year as an NFL coach.

Rees has been linked to the Browns offensive coordinator gig, but Cleveland is still interviewing multiple candidates. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Vrabel worked closely with Rees during the first half of the season, before Vrabel took on more responsibilities with the o-line.

Cabot adds “Rees, who interviewed twice for the North Carolina head coaching job that went to Bill Belichick, could be offered a promotion to offensive coordinator if Vrabel is interested in him for that role.”

It’s clear this interest in Rees is not out of nowhere, there’s some legitimate interest. That being said, does Vrabel believe he can be his offensive play-caller with a second-year QB in Drake Maye? That’s only a question the new Patriots head coach can answer.

However, regardless of who Vrabel picks as his offensive coordinator in 2025, Pats fans are hoping for better production than they saw this season. The running game was fine (115.8 yards per game – 13th in the NFL), but the passing game (176.2 yards per game – 32nd in the NFL) left much to be desired.

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