Josh McDaniels Returns to Super Bowl as Patriots Assistant

Veteran coordinator seeks 10th Super Bowl appearance after two failed head coaching stints

Feb. 5, 2026 at 12:31pm

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Josh McDaniels, the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator, is back at the Super Bowl for the 10th time in his career as an assistant coach. Despite two previous failed head coaching tenures with the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, McDaniels has found great success as one of the NFL's top offensive coordinators, helping develop young quarterbacks like Drake Maye. After taking a year off in 2024 to learn from other coaches, McDaniels is now focused on preparing the Patriots' offense to face the Seattle Seahawks' stifling defense in Super Bowl LVIII.

Why it matters

McDaniels' return to the Super Bowl highlights his reputation as one of the league's premier offensive minds, despite his struggles as a head coach. His ability to consistently produce high-powered offenses and develop quarterbacks has made him a valuable asset for the Patriots, who are seeking their seventh Super Bowl title under the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era.

The details

As the Patriots' offensive coordinator, McDaniels has coordinated an offense that has finished in the top 10 in scoring 13 times in 15 seasons, including four times in the top two. This season, his work with second-year quarterback Drake Maye has earned him finalist consideration for the NFL AP Assistant Coach of the Year award. McDaniels' previous head coaching stints with the Broncos and Raiders were less successful, as he compiled a 17-23 record and was fired midway through the 2023 season in Las Vegas.

  • McDaniels started in the NFL as a low-level assistant with the Patriots in the 2001 season.
  • He won his first Super Bowl with the Patriots in his inaugural season.
  • McDaniels was the offensive coordinator for three more Super Bowl-winning Patriots teams in the 2010s.
  • After his second head coaching firing with the Raiders in 2023, McDaniels took a year off in 2024 to learn from other coaches.
  • McDaniels is now back with the Patriots, preparing for his 10th Super Bowl appearance as an assistant coach.

The players

Josh McDaniels

The New England Patriots' offensive coordinator, who is making his 10th Super Bowl appearance as an assistant coach.

Drake Maye

The Patriots' second-year quarterback, who has benefited from McDaniels' coaching and is a finalist for the NFL AP Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Bill Belichick

The head coach of the New England Patriots, who has led the team to six Super Bowl championships.

Tom Brady

The former quarterback of the New England Patriots, who won six Super Bowls with the team.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, whom McDaniels visited during his year off in 2024 to learn from.

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What they’re saying

“Every day's one day at a time for me now. I think I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm incredibly happy to be here and doing what I'm doing. I love my job. I love the role that I have. I love the group that I'm with. So whatever that plan is down the road, we'll figure that out. But I couldn't be more happy with where I'm at.”

— Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots

“I think he's so great at preparing me during the week for those little things that come up during the games, and also at the same time of explaining why, 'Hey, we're doing this because of what they do, or we're doing this because I think we can take advantage of how they do this.' He's great at coaching my position, and he's one of the best in the business, and just thankful every day to work with him.”

— Drake Maye, Quarterback, New England Patriots

What’s next

The NFL will announce the winner of the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award on Thursday night at NFL Honors, where McDaniels is a finalist.

The takeaway

Despite his struggles as a head coach, Josh McDaniels has cemented his reputation as one of the NFL's top offensive coordinators, helping develop young quarterbacks and consistently producing high-powered offenses. His return to the Super Bowl as a Patriots assistant showcases his value as a coordinator and his ability to adapt and learn from his past experiences.