Patriots Hiring Kyle Shanahan Protege as Quarterbacks Coach?

Further stacking their staff with quarterback-centric experience, the New England Patriots are targeting former San Francisco 49ers' Kyle Shanahan protege T.C. McCartney as their new quarterbacks coach.

When/if the New England Patriots draft a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in April's NFL Draft, they'll welcome the rookie with a wealth of offensive coaching experience.

While new head coach Jerod Mayo specializes in defense, his offensive hires continue to be quarterback-centric. Alex Van Pelt is the offensive coordinator; Ben McAdoo a new senior offensive assistant. And now comes a report from CBS that the Pats are targeting T.C. McCartney as their specific quarterbacks coach.

In other words, it's a far cry from two years ago when former first-round draft choice Mac Jones' development was left in the hands of long-time defensive guru Matt Patricia.

Van Pelt played quarterback in the NFL for three teams over a 12-year career and coached the position at stops in Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Green Bay Cincinnati and Cleveland. McAdoo coached on the offensive side of the ball - quarterbacks in particular - with the Saints, 49ers, Packers, Giants, Jaguars and Panthers.

NFL Mock Draft: Patriots Pick Heisman Trophy QB?

McCartney, 34, most recently served as Cleveland’s tight ends coach alongside Van Pelt, and was the Broncos' quarterbacks coach in 2019. He also worked under renowned "quarterback whisperer" Kyle Shanahan with the 49ers in 2015-18.

In their quest to finally replace Tom Brady, these new New England Patriots are devoting a ton of coaching equity toward developing the next star quarterback.

---