FOXBORO — The Patriots have a familiar face at offensive coordinator, but that doesn’t mean the 2025 playbook will be a facsimile of what Tom Brady was running for nearly 20 years.
The Patriots rehired Josh McDaniels as their offensive coordinator but filled out their offensive staff with experienced assistants who have never worked under the OC.
McDaniels said Monday before the Patriots’ third week of OTAs that the offense would be running plays that were mostly foreign to him.
Quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant, who came over from the Browns, said Monday that forming the offense has been “collaborative.”
“That’s kudos to Josh, because he’s had a ton of success in his past, and he’s been very open to the new schemes and new systems and new techniques,” Grant said. “So I think it’s going to be fun. And he’s been super open to that.”
Wide receivers coach Todd Downing has been an offensive coordinator and play-caller with the Titans and Jets, tight ends coach Thomas Brown was a passing game coordinator, offensive coordinator and interim head coach last year alone with the Bears, and offensive line coach Doug Marrone is a previous offensive coordinator and head coach.
Brown said the Patriots’ offensive assistants have lended a “big voice” to shaping the offense.
“Every place I’ve been has been different,” Brown said. “So, some guys (allow) less input than others, but I think (McDaniels has) done a really good job first off, laying out how he sees the offense from a philosophical standpoint and building it from the ground up, but then also being open to hearing about our experiences in the past and things that kind of marry and fit with our system and also, most important with our players.”