AP

The Patriots announced earlier today that they are retaining special teams coach Jeremy Springer. Springer did a great job turning the Patriots special teams around after two tough seasons.

According to PFF, the Patriots had the second ranked special teams unit in the league this past season. A dramatic improvement when you consider just how bad the special teams were in 2022 and 2023 under Can Achord and Joe Judge.

Springer brought passion and energy to the unit. Not only that, but his weekly press conferences with the media were legendary. Springer was also good for a couple of noteworthy quotes. 

Several of the Patriots offensive coaches from last season’s staff were told they will not be returning at the end of last week.  The status of the defensive staff remains up in the air. Some coaches like cornerbacks coach Mike Pelligrino are on expiring contracts and may not return. 

New Patriots coach Mike Vrabel still needs to hire an offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and all of the position coaches. He has a lot of work to do in the coming days and weeks. 

Retaining a rising star like Springer was smart however. Hopefully he can build off of what he did last season with the special teams unit. Vrabel will lean on the special teams a lot, especially in key situations. He may even use his special teams to take advantage of a particular rule as we’ve in the past. He needs someone he can be on the same page with and Springer appears to be that guy.