New England Patriots - NESN.com
One of the Patriots most important offensive coaching roles apparently has been filled.
New England has hired Todd Downing as its receivers coach, according to a report from the Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard on Monday.
Downing served as the Titans offensive coordinator two seasons under Vrabel (2021-22) after he was promoted from Tennessee’s tight ends coach (2019-2020). Downing spent the past two seasons working as the New York Jets offensive pass game coordinator.
Downing, who has experience in a variety of roles since he entered the league in 2001, has not served as a wide receiver coach. Other positions include quarterbacks coach with the Detroit Lions (2010-2013), Buffalo Bills (2014) and then-Oakland Raiders (2015-2016) as well as tight ends coach with the Minnesota Vikings (2018).
He has three seasons with coordinator experience after he held the role with the Raiders in 2017, as well.
No Patriots position group could benefit more from development than receivers, which include third-year wideouts DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte as well as rising sophomores Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. New England is expected to be in the market for a true WR1 this offseason whether that be in the 2025 NFL Draft (Travis Hunter) or in free agency (Tee Higgins).
