In the ever-churning world of NFL coaching carousels, stability is a precious commodity, especially for a franchise nurturing a young quarterback. The New England Patriots have secured a significant piece of that stability for the upcoming 2026 campaign. According to a report from Bernd Buchmasser of Pat's Pulpit, quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant will remain with the team for the 2026 season, turning down potential advancement elsewhere to continue his work with signal-caller Drake Maye.
This news arrives at a critical juncture for the Patriots' offensive future. Grant, who has been instrumental in Maye's development since the quarterback was drafted, had drawn interest from other organizations, most notably for the offensive coordinator position with the Las Vegas Raiders. The fact that he has chosen to stay in Foxborough speaks volumes about the organization's direction, his belief in the project, and his commitment to seeing through the growth of his prized pupil.
The Grant-Maye Partnership: A Foundation for Success
The relationship between a quarterback and his position coach is among the most symbiotic in football. It's built on trust, repetition, and a shared language. For Drake Maye, entering what is likely his third professional season, continuity in this area is invaluable. The offensive system, the playbook, and the surrounding personnel may see adjustments, but having a constant voice in his ear--one who knows his mechanics, his mental processing, and his tendencies inside and out--provides a foundational anchor.
Grant's decision to stay suggests a unified belief within the building that Maye is on the cusp of taking the next step. The early-career lumps, the learning experiences, and the foundational work are (theoretically) in the past. The 2026 season is poised to be about refinement, consistency, and translating raw talent into week-in, week-out production. Having Grant, who has overseen every rep, every correction, and every breakthrough, remain to guide that phase is a strategic win for the Patriots. It eliminates the need for Maye to learn a new coach's philosophies and communication style, allowing him to build upon an established rapport rather than start from scratch.
Navigating the Coordinator Carousel
The report that Grant was considered for the Raiders' OC job underscores his rising stock in league circles. It's a testament to the work he's done in New England, particularly with a high-profile young quarterback. For assistant coaches, coordinator positions represent a clear step up the ladder, offering greater responsibility, influence, and, of course, compensation. The fact that Grant was in the mix for such a role is a credit to his abilities.
His choice to remain as quarterbacks coach, therefore, is not one made lightly. It indicates that the Patriots presented a compelling vision for the future--one that likely includes increased responsibility or a clear path within their own structure. Perhaps it's a sign that the team envisions Grant as a future offensive coordinator themselves, or perhaps the allure of cementing his legacy by helping develop a franchise quarterback from the ground up outweighed the immediate title bump elsewhere. In an era where coaches frequently jump at the first promotion, Grant's patience and long-term view are notable.
Context Within the Broader Staff Picture
This retention is the first, and arguably most crucial, domino in shaping the Patriots' 2026 coaching staff. The offensive coordinator position itself may still be in flux, depending on the tenure and performance of the 2025 OC. Grant's presence provides a layer of insulation and continuity for the quarterback room regardless of who is calling plays. He becomes the consistent thread for Maye, a familiar face who can help translate any new systemic concepts or terminology from a potential new coordinator.
It also sends a strong message to the locker room. In a results-driven business, players notice when an organization retains coaches they respect and who have helped them improve. For Maye and the other quarterbacks on the roster, it's a vote of confidence in their development process. For the offensive skill players, it signals that the infrastructure supporting their quarterback--the guy responsible for getting them the ball--is stable and focused.
What This Means for the 2026 Patriots
Football success is rarely about one single move, but the aggregation of many smart, consistent decisions. Keeping Ashton Grant is one of those smart decisions. It prioritizes the development of the team's most important asset: the quarterback.
For Drake Maye, the 2026 season now carries the expectation of tangible progress. The training wheels, figuratively speaking, should be off. The offense will be built around his skillset, and he will have the coach who knows him best helping him execute it. The pressure will increase, but so too will the support system.
For the Patriots front office and ownership, securing Grant is an offseason victory before the offseason truly begins in earnest. It allows them to focus their efforts on player personnel--adding weapons, fortifying the line--knowing that the quarterback development pipeline is in steady hands. It avoids a potentially disruptive search for a new quarterbacks coach who would need time to build a relationship with the face of the franchise.
Looking Ahead
While reported by Buchmasser and not yet formally announced by the team as of mid-February 2026, the news of Ashton Grant's return sets a positive, stable tone for the Patriots' 2026 preparations. In a league defined by change, the Patriots have managed to maintain a critical piece of continuity where it matters most.
The story of the 2026 Patriots will be written by Drake Maye's right arm. But standing beside him, clipboard in hand, will be the coach who has been there since the beginning, now committed to seeing the story through its next pivotal chapter. That continuity might just be the quiet foundation upon which a return to contention is built. The Patriots, and their fans, can breathe a little easier knowing a key architect of their future is staying right where he is.