Rob Gronkowski expands on Josh McDaniels recommendation for Patriots' Mike Vrabel

While Josh McDaniels flopped across two attempts at being an NFL head coach, few would argue that he was a positive for the New England Patriots during a pair of stints as the club's offensive coordinator. 

Future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski played under McDaniels with New England and recently campaigned for new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel to hire McDaniels "as the offensive coordinator as soon as possible." 

During a Wednesday appearance on FanDuel TV's "Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams," Gronkowski expanded on why he wants McDaniels to link up with Patriots quarterback and 2024 first-round draft pick Drake Maye. 

"He dealt with Tom Brady throughout his whole entire career," Gronkowski said about McDaniels, as shared by Lauren Campbell of MassLive. "...He helped out Tom Brady tremendously. Josh McDaniels has a full grasp of the offense. He knows how to demand respect as an offensive coordinator. He gets the players to listen to him. He draws up wonderful schemes to get his players open." 

Maye noticeably improved under former head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt from last spring through December. According to Pro Football Reference, the 22-year-old finished the regular season ranked 18th in the NFL among qualified players with a 58.8 adjusted QBR and 13th with a 66.6 percent completion percentage. 

For a piece published on Christmas Eve, ESPN's Ben Solak said that Maye was arguably "the most impressive rookie quarterback" of the campaign considering New England's lack of talent on offense. 

Per Tom Carroll of Audacy, Vrabel said during a Tuesday appearance on Boston sports radio station WEEI that McDaniels is on a "long list" of candidates for the offensive coordinator position. Vrabel added that he could embrace "a long process" regarding the building of his staff, but Gronkowski indicated at least one decision should be easy for the Patriots Hall of Famer who has seen up close what McDaniels can achieve as a coordinator.

"Josh McDaniels is the guy," Gronkowski continued during the segment. "He knows how to develop quarterbacks. And not just quarterbacks, he knows how to develop players just like myself. ...At the quarterback position, that’s where he’s a masterpiece. And I believe he would take Drake Maye to a whole other level."

McDaniels' resume, which includes six total Super Bowl rings earned as an assistant and coordinator, speaks for itself. However, it does sound like Vrabel may want to separate himself from the Bill Belichick era as quickly as possible and, thus, could look elsewhere for his new OC.