Patriots offensive coordinator candidate linked to Mike Vrabel lands other job
Tommy Rees, who was rumored to be one of the top candidates for the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator, will coach elsewhere in 2025.
Before the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator search has even begun, one of the top candidates is off the board. On Tuesday afternoon, the Cleveland Browns promoted tight ends coach and pass game specialist Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator.
Rees, 32, was expected to be one of the top offensive coordinator candidates available in this cycle. A former Notre Dame quarterback, he was a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at the college level for four years between Notre Dame and Alabama before joining the Browns last year.
In Cleveland Rees worked with new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel shared during his introductory press conference on Monday that he spent time working with the tight ends – Rees’ position – while with the Browns last year. Rees spoke highly of Vrabel’s impact during his time with the Browns.
According to SI’s Albert Breer, Vrabel “in his time there, liked [Rees] enough to want to bring him to New England.” Now, the Patriots will have to look elsewhere to fill their staff.
Former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has been connected to the team through multiple reports, going back to before Vrabel was officially hired. ESPN’s Mike Reiss suggested a couple more names as well on Tuesday morning in Tim Kelly and Dave Ragone. We also compiled a full list of Vrabel’s connections with offensive coaches around the league and more, which you can find here.
