By Sarah Galla
Medill Reports
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Although New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was part of six Super Bowl-winning teams during his previous two stints with the team, his return to the New England Patriots isn’t about reliving the past, but building the future. McDaniels hasn’t won a Super Bowl without quarterback Tom Brady or head coach Bill Belichick.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said McDaniels has done a phenomenal job coaching young talent.
“Josh has got a lot of experience coaching a lot of different quarterbacks, obviously Tom (Brady),” Vrabel said. “His experience being able to bring it back and make it personal for Drake (Maye) has been really good.”
If McDaniels can mold Maye into a franchise quarterback, he will continue to burnish his reputation. If the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, Maye, 23, would be the youngest quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl championship and would give McDaniels a distinction no offensive coordinator has had.
Sunday’s game is a redemption moment for McDaniels after two short stints as a head coach. In 2010, he was let go by the Denver Broncos and in 2023 by the Las Vegas Raiders, lasting less than two seasons with both. McDaniels spent the 2024 season out of the NFL.
McDaniels said Maye has grown a lot from the beginning of the season to now. Maye ended the regular season with 35 touchdowns, 4,394 passing yards and 450 rushing yards
“Either we make a good play or learn from the mistake, and he has been an incredible learner,” McDaniels said.
The Patriots went 4-13 during the 2024-25 season, then ended the 2025-26 regular season14-3, Maye and McDaniels’ first working together. This type of improvement comes in part from strong connections between the players and coaches.
Maye said McDaniels has helped him understand the “why” of football, the little things that go such a long way while playing quarterback.
“He is great at coaching my position.” Maye said, “He is one of the best in the business and just thankful everyday to work with him.”
Part of Maye’s success comes from McDaniels’ building his confidence and leadership abilities on the field.
“I think he is great at telling me to be myself, but also stepping out of my comfort zone a little bit,” Maye said.
McDaniels said there are similarities between Brady and Maye.
“The biggest thing between the two of them is they both love football,” he said.
McDaniels and his offensive line will be under pressure Sunday. While the O-line surrendered only 48 sacks during 17 regular-season games, they have given up 15 sacks in three playoff games. This turn of events is part of why the Seahawks, who had 47 sacks during the regular season, are favored by 4.5 points
“We just got to execute,” tight end Hunter Henry said.
Sarah Galla is a sports media specialization graduate student at Medill.