FOXBORO – New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he’s excited to work with his new offensive and defensive coordinators in his first interview Since hiring Josh McDaniels and Terrell Williams.
Vrabel spoke to WBZ-TV’s Steve Burton Friday at Gillette Stadium in an interview that will air on WBZ’s “Patriots Gameday” Sunday morning.
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Mike Vrabel on Josh McDaniels
McDaniels returns to New England for his third stint as offensive coordinator, although this is the first time he has been on a staff with Vrabel. But the two have had a long relationship, dating back to when Vrabel signed with the team as a free agent in 2001 and McDaniels was a staff assistant.
McDaniels revealed in an interview released by the team that he was the one who picked up Vrabel at the airport after he first joined the Patriots.
“He drove the old personnel department shuttle,” Vrabel joked.
McDaniels will now lead New England’s offense as he looks to continue the development of franchise quarterback Drake Maye. After the Patriots finished 30th in the NFL in scoring and 31st in total yards last season, Vrabel seems confident that McDaniels will get the offense back on track.
“When you talk about Josh, I think schematically and the way he teaches quarterback. The versatile GamePlan, having gone against him and seen the system here as a player,” Vrabel said. “It’s evolved and there’s a lot more to it than that. I know from our conversations that he’s worked hard and studied and visited and met people, and we’re going to continue to add things that we think help our players and Give us an edge to score touchdowns and take care of the football.”
Mike Vrabel on Terrell Williams
Vrabel tapped Terrell Williams to be New England’s defensive coordinator, whom he worked with at Tennessee for six seasons. Williams was one of Vrabel’s top assistants with the Titans, coaching the defensive line from 2018-23. He was also promoted to assistant head coach for the 2023 season.
“I’m excited for the people here in Boston and New England and our fans to get to know Terrell like I did my freshman year at Tennessee,” Vrabel said. “He was on our coaching staff for six years and contributed to that success (at Tennessee).”
Vrabel said the 50-year-old Williams does an incredible job connecting with players, and not just those on the defensive end.
“I saw him meet and visit and have a connection with offensive linemen. So much so that I was excited to make him the interim head coach for a preseason game,” said Vrabel. “He had earned this opportunity and I thought that was something that was important to me, to reward coaches who earned the right. It was something that he had earned at the time, just like he has earned this opportunity to be the defensive coordinator.”
Mike Vrabel on Jeremy Springer
While the Patriots’ offense and defense have been a mess in 2024, the special teams unit has improved under first-year coordinator Jeremy Springer. Springer and special teams assistant Tom Quinn were retained by Vrabel during the offseason.
“I like the dynamic in there,” Vrabel said of New England’s special teams. “I know Tom, he was with us in Tennessee. Veteran coach who had done it. Jeremy is young, exciting and a great teacher. He is creative. I think the interview process and the product that they had on the field, that led me to that decision. “
Mike Vrabel on Drake Maye
Maye has been the biggest selling point for any head coaching candidate in New England, and Vrabel is excited to get to work with the second-year QB.
“He is exciting, talented, ready to learn and ready to continue to develop. He is athletic and mobile, has the ability to make throws to all parts of the field with arm talent,” he said. “But every year is a new process. There will be new terminology, and a little carryover from what he’s had. I know he’s ready to learn and is excited. We look forward to that and want that ‘He runs our football team.’
Mike Vrabel on the edge He will bring to the New England Patriots
Vrabel is known as an edgy, no-nonsense coach who connects with his players and everyone in the building. He did, however, hit back a bit on the “no-insense” bit.
“I don’t mind the nonsense. I have some sense, I think,” he joked. “The Edge is only part of what comes with it. The alternative is that, I don’t know.
“I love coaching football,” Vrabel continued. “I realized that a year in Cleveland in a consulting role is not something I can envision doing. I want to lead at the highest level and help people. I want to put a program together. Every day that I come here, my goal is To build a program with my coaches, my staff and the players that they are proud of and want to be a part of, and most importantly, that they will protect.
You can watch Steve Burton’s interview with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. on Patriots Gameday, which will air on WBZ-TV and Stream live on CBS News Boston.
