Mike Vrabel, Patriots Reportedly Hire Respected Offensive Assistant

The Patriots continue to bolster their offensive coaching staff, and their latest hiring is an impressive one.

New England is hiring Thomas Brown as its tight ends coach/pass game coordinator, as first reported by MassLive’s Mark Daniels. Both ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero confirmed Daniels’ report.

Brown interviewed for the Patriots offensive coordinator job, which went to veteran play-caller Josh McDaniels.

Brown served on the Chicago Bears staff in 2024 where he was hired as a pass-game coordinator before he was elevated to interim offensive coordinator and interim head coach. Brown’s elevations followed the firings of Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Nov. 12 and Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus two weeks later.

Prior to his stint in Chicago, Brown worked for the Carolina Panthers in 2023. He was hired as the Panthers offensive coordinator under then-head coach Frank Reich, another respected offensive mind. When Reich was fired in late November, Brown took over play-calling duties.

Brown got his start under Rams head coach Sean McVay when he served as a running backs coach. He was promoted to assistant head coach and tight ends coach in his third season with the team.

Brown’s arrival means the Patriots have another experienced offensive assistant, and someone who’s coached in multiple offensive systems like McVay’s West Coast scheme.