Darrell Bevell’s name isn’t usually one that grabs headlines the way a star quarterback or high-profile head coach might. But in the quiet corridors of NFL coaching circles, Bevell commands respect—the kind earned through two decades of play-calling, quarterback mentoring, and shaping offenses that leave imprints on the league. That’s why his recent decision to reject a $2 million annual offer from the New England Patriots has left the football world in a state of astonishment. Not simply because of the money—although that is striking, especially for a positional coach—but because of what it reveals about Bevell’s convictions, loyalty, and the seismic shifts currently underway in both Miami and New England.
Bevell, currently serving as the quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, has quietly become one of the league’s most influential minds behind the scenes. Under his stewardship, Tua Tagovailoa has gone from an oft-injured question mark to a highly efficient field general capable of orchestrating one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. Bevell has done this while working within Mike McDaniel’s innovative and fast-paced system, helping refine a passing attack that’s as creative as it is lethal. And in that context, it makes sense why the Patriots—a team desperate to revive its offense—would come knocking with a financial offer so far above the market rate it bordered on shocking.
Two million dollars per year would make Bevell one of, if not the, highest-paid position coaches in the league. For reference, many NFL offensive coordinators don’t command that kind of salary. The Patriots’ interest in Bevell isn’t hard to decipher. After years of offensive struggles post-Tom Brady, and after cycling through failed experiments like Matt Patricia and Joe Judge in roles they were ill-suited for, New England has been on a desperate quest to find its next offensive architect. The Mac Jones era collapsed under its own weight, and while there’s hope that rookie quarterback Drake Maye could be the franchise’s future, the team knows that his development hinges on pairing him with the right voice in the quarterback room—someone experienced, steady, and adaptable.
Bevell fit that profile perfectly. He’s worked with Hall of Famers and journeymen alike. He called plays during Russell Wilson’s Super Bowl-winning years in Seattle, managed offenses in Detroit and Jacksonville amid chaos, and most recently brought his expertise to Miami, where he’s helped blend McDaniel’s wide-zone roots with a modern, timing-based aerial assault. What Bevell offers is a rare mix of play-calling experience, quarterback development savvy, and schematic flexibility. For New England, he wasn’t just a coaching candidate—he was a potential keystone to their entire rebuild.
So why turn it down?
Money talks in the NFL, but Bevell’s decision proves that it doesn’t always shout the loudest. Sources close to the Dolphins suggest that Bevell is deeply invested in what’s being built in Miami. He sees a team on the rise, not just in terms of talent but in terms of culture, identity, and long-term potential. The Dolphins have not won a playoff game since the early 2000s, but with a young core centered around Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and an offensive line that’s steadily improving, the feeling within the organization is that they’re on the cusp of something special. Bevell is part of that vision—not a passenger, but a co-architect.
And then there’s his relationship with Tua. The two have developed a strong rapport, with Bevell playing a pivotal role in helping the quarterback regain his confidence after a tumultuous early career marked by injuries and inconsistent play. Under Bevell’s tutelage, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating in 2022 and remained highly efficient in 2023, proving he could stay healthy and deliver high-level performances in big moments. Bevell’s teaching style—part technician, part motivator—has resonated with the young quarterback, and the mutual trust between them is evident.
Leaving that behind to enter the high-pressure, often chaotic environment of a Patriots team in transition didn’t appeal to Bevell, even with the salary bump. New England is starting over with a rookie quarterback, a first-year offensive coordinator in Alex Van Pelt, and a new head coach in Jerod Mayo following Bill Belichick’s legendary departure. While the franchise still carries a certain mystique, it’s a far cry from the stable powerhouse of the Brady-Belichick era. For a coach like Bevell—who has weathered both success and instability throughout his career—walking into that uncertain scenario may have felt like a risk not worth taking.
There’s also the question of legacy. Bevell’s career, though rarely front and center, has been one of consistency and adaptability. He’s remained in demand not because he chases the biggest titles or highest salaries, but because he delivers results and earns the trust of those around him. Turning down the Patriots’ offer isn’t a sign of complacency—it’s a calculated decision to bet on continuity, chemistry, and an upward trajectory in Miami. Coaches don’t often get to control the narrative of their careers. Bevell, by declining this offer, has seized that control.
Moreover, there’s growing speculation around the league that Bevell could be in line for a future promotion within the Dolphins’ own ranks. While Frank Smith holds the title of offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel has retained play-calling duties, and should either of those dynamics shift, Bevell would be a logical candidate to step into a larger role. His decision to stay could be a long-term play—not just for this season, but for the seasons to come.
It also sends a powerful message to the rest of the NFL. Loyalty, stability, and belief in a team’s vision still matter. At a time when coaches often jump ship for even marginally better opportunities, Bevell is choosing to plant roots and help finish what he helped start. That kind of commitment is increasingly rare and, frankly, admirable.
The Patriots, for their part, must now pivot. Missing out on Bevell is a significant blow. He was widely viewed as their top target for a role that would have placed him at the center of their offensive rebuild. Whether they go with a younger up-and-comer, a recycled veteran assistant, or someone from within their own pipeline remains to be seen, but the sting of rejection will linger. It also highlights just how much work lies ahead for the Patriots in reclaiming their status as a perennial contender. Money can buy candidates, but it can’t buy conviction or trust—two things Bevell clearly has in abundance in Miami.
