After it failed to meet expectations during the 2024 season, the New England Patriots under new head coach Mike Vrabel opted to overhaul their wide receiver group from the ground up. That process included investments in both free agency and the draft, as well as the addition of a new position coach.
Todd Downing, Vrabel’s former offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans, was hired to replace previous wideouts coach Tyler Hughes in early February. Like his predecessor, Downing is a newbie as an NFL receivers coach: New England is the first stop in his coaching career that has him working exclusively with that particular position group.