The New England Patriots are heading back to the AFC Championship for a record-setting 16th time, and they’re doing it behind the arm of rookie quarterback Drake Maye and a coaching staff that’s helped flip the script on a team that went 4-13 just a season ago.
Maye threw three touchdown passes in the 28-16 win over the Houston Texans, a game that wasn’t always pretty - he battled through some turnover issues - but once again showed his resilience and growth under pressure. And while the Patriots' defense has taken a noticeable leap this postseason, it’s the offense that’s really turned heads, evolving from a liability into a legitimate threat. That transformation has a lot to do with the people calling the shots behind the scenes.
Now, with the Patriots just one win away from another Super Bowl appearance, other teams around the league are starting to circle, eyeing the assistants who’ve helped engineer this turnaround. One name in particular is drawing serious attention: Thomas Brown, New England’s passing game coordinator.
Brown is scheduled to interview with the Los Angeles Chargers for their offensive coordinator vacancy, a position that opened up with the departure of Greg Roman. He’s also reportedly being considered for a head coaching role with the Arizona Cardinals. That kind of interest isn’t surprising - Brown’s résumé is quietly impressive, and his fingerprints are all over this Patriots offense.
Before landing in New England, Brown had a brief stint as interim head coach with the Chicago Bears after Matt Eberflus was let go. The record wasn’t kind - just one win - but context matters.
He was working with one of the worst offensive lines in the league, and still managed to help Caleb Williams throw 20 touchdowns to just six interceptions. That’s no small feat, especially for a young quarterback under constant pressure.
What Brown has brought to the Patriots’ offense this year is a clear departure from the disjointed unit we saw during Josh McDaniels’ time with the Raiders. While McDaniels remains the offensive coordinator in New England, Brown’s influence - shaped by his time under Sean McVay with the Rams - has added a modern, creative layer to the playbook.
The result? A more dynamic, better-structured passing attack that’s helped Maye flourish.
If the Patriots do lose Brown, it won’t be easy to fill the void. The pool of available offensive minds who could step into his role isn’t particularly deep, and McDaniels’ current staff lacks the kind of experience that would make for a seamless transition. That’s a concern for head coach Mike Vrabel, who knows how critical continuity is for a young quarterback’s development.
Patriots fans would love to see this staff stay intact, especially with Maye developing at such a rapid pace and collecting accolades along the way. But success comes at a price, and when a team makes this kind of leap - from bottom-feeder to contender - the rest of the league takes notice. Brown’s rising stock is just one more sign that the Patriots are back in the mix, and back in a big way.
The challenge now? Holding the band together while chasing the biggest prize in football.