The New England Patriots are back in familiar territory - the AFC Championship Game - for a record-setting 16th time. And while the defense has certainly played its part in this postseason run, the real story is what’s happening on the offensive side of the ball. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye, despite a few bumps in the road against a tough Texans defense, tossed three touchdown passes and led the Pats to a 28-16 win that punched their ticket to the final four.
It’s a stunning turnaround from last season’s 4-13 campaign. The Patriots didn’t just get better - they became a real threat.
A 13-win season and a spot in the AFC title game don’t happen by accident. The defense has leveled up, no doubt, but it’s the offensive resurgence that’s turned heads around the league.
And when an offense flips the switch this dramatically, you can bet rival teams start circling the coaching staff.
Josh McDaniels, back in Foxborough after a forgettable stint with the Raiders, is calling the plays again. But it’s not just McDaniels who’s drawing attention.
Thomas Brown, the Patriots' passing game coordinator, is now on the radar of teams looking to inject some life into their own offenses. Brown is set to interview with the Los Angeles Chargers for their offensive coordinator opening, and his name is also being floated as a head coaching candidate for the Arizona Cardinals.
Brown’s résumé includes a brief stint as interim head coach of the Chicago Bears after Matt Eberflus was let go. While the win-loss column didn’t swing in his favor - he picked up just one victory - there’s more to that story.
In the middle of a season where the Bears had arguably the worst offensive line in the league, Brown helped Caleb Williams throw 20 touchdowns against just six interceptions. That’s no small feat given the chaos around him.
What’s clear is that the Patriots’ offense this season doesn’t look anything like what McDaniels rolled out in Las Vegas. There’s a rhythm, a creativity, and a level of execution that suggests multiple voices are shaping this attack - and Brown, who spent time under Sean McVay in Los Angeles, has likely brought some of that modern edge to New England’s playbook.
If Brown does land a new gig, it would be a tough loss for the Patriots. The depth of experienced offensive minds behind McDaniels isn’t exactly deep, and head coach Mike Vrabel would face a real challenge trying to find someone who can step in and keep the momentum going. Continuity matters, especially with a young quarterback like Maye who’s blossoming in this system.
Patriots fans would love nothing more than to keep this coaching group together as Maye continues to develop and stack accolades. But that’s the price of success - when you get hot, the rest of the league comes knocking. And with how quickly this team has surged back into contention, it’s hard to imagine Thomas Brown won’t be offered a bigger role somewhere soon.