Patriots reportedly adding another Vrabel assistant from Titans
Mike Vrabel is quickly building out his staff for the New England Patriots.
According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic on Wednesday, the Pats are expected to hire former Jets running backs coach Tony Dews as an assistant coach under Vrabel and returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Dews spent 2024 with the Jets, but prior to that served as Vrabel’s running backs coach for the Titans from 2018-22, and as their tight ends coach in 2023.
Dews has experience all over the field in his time as a college coach. He coached wide receivers at four different stops from 2007-16 and offensive line at California in 2002. He’s also coached the other two phases, including linebackers & special teams at UNLV in 2006, defensive line at Holy Cross in 2003, and defensive backs at West Virginia from 1999-01.
So, Dews certainly has a wealth of coaching experience that Vrabel clearly values. It’s unclear, then, what his role will be for the Patriots at this point. But his NFL coaching experience has mostly been with running backs, so that’s the most likely position for Dews to assume.

Clearly, Vrabel is prioritizing experience in the early-going of his assistant coach hires. The Patriots are bringing back McDaniels for what will be his 11th season as the team’s offensive coordinator. Former Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams, meanwhile, will bring his 13 seasons of NFL coaching experience to New England as its new defensive coordinator.
This will be Williams’ first season as a defensive play-caller, which is something to monitor, but Vrabel is ostensibly the de facto leader of the Patriots defense. Williams, a longtime defensive line coach, will likely play a key role in improving the Patriots’ on-field performance on the defensive line.
We’re expecting much more news to roll out in the coming days on Vrabel and the Patriots coaching staff. We’ll keep you updated here at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.