According to sources, a familiar name is returning to Foxboro. The Patriots are hiring Josh McDaniels as their new offensive coordinator under Mike Vrabel. This will McDaniels third stint as the Patriots offensive coordinator since 2006. 

McDaniels was the presumptive front runner after Vrabel was hired. He did not coach last season but has kept his family in the area and still has close ties to the franchise. 

McDaniels interviewed for the job earlier today. He has a history with Vrabel. The two were together in New England from 2001-08, when the franchise won its first three Super Bowls and in 2007 became only the second team in NFL history to go undefeated during the regular season.

McDaniels started his career with the Patriots as a personnel and defensive assistant before transitioning to the offensive side of the ball. After two seasons as the quarterbacks coach, McDaniels became offensive coordinator in 2006. He left to coach the Denver Broncos after the 2008 season. After two seasons in the Mile High City, he was fired and hired by the St. Louis Rams as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2011. He returned to New England in 2012 and coordinated the Patriots to three more Super Bowl titles before leaving after the 2021 season to coach the Las Vegas Raiders.

McDaniels once again only lasted two seasons before getting fired. He was out of coaching last season but reportedly spent time studying college offenses. 

Prior to settling on McDaniels, the Patriots also interviewed former Bears interim coach Thomas Brown, Chargers pass game coordinator Marcus Brady and Vikings assistant offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski. Ultimately, they opted to bring McDaniels back.