Sportsnaut
Josh McDaniels is in his third different stint as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. After taking the 2024 season off, McDaniels was brough in to call plays on Mike Vrabel’s inaugural staff in Foxboro.
So far, the results have been promising for the offense. The Patriots have scored at least 20 points in four of their six games and have crossed the 30-point mark twice. Quarterback Drake Maye looks comfortable and appears to be taking a step forward in his development.
Maye’s step forward can at least partially be attributed to McDaniels, but this group of pass-catchers is also much improved over the 2024 group. Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins were added in free agency, while rookie Kyle Williams was selected in the third round of the 2025 draft.
Diggs leads the team in receptions and receiving yards, while Hollins already has two touchdowns. Williams, meanwhile, has struggled to get going, with just two catches so far, but that doesn’t mean McDaniels doesn’t believe in the rookie.
On Thursday, McDaniels spoke about Williams to WPRI 12’s Morgan Weaver, and the coach praised his young receiver.
“He’s doing a really good job on understanding his assignments,” McDaniels said to Weaver. “I am excited when he gets his opportunity.”
McDaniels doesn’t have the easiest offense for rookies to digest, and it makes sense the team would lean on the veterans to get Maye comfortable. However, it seems like as long as Williams continues grinding, he will get his shot eventually.
So far, the rookie has been targeted four times, and he’s come down with two of them for 20 yards. Maye is proving that he can lead a high-powered offense, though, so don’t be surprised to see Williams get more targets in the coming weeks.
The Patriots are set to take on the lowly Tennessee Titans in Week 7.
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