The Patriots seem to be well on their way to replacing one former player-head coach with another. They fired former linebacker
Jerod Mayo after only one season as head coach, and it appears that New England is narrowing in on another former linebacker to replace him. While it has already been established that former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is the “ heavy favorite,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that contract talks are already underway.
In the segment, Pelissero’s colleague, Ian Rapoport, doubled down on Vrabel as the overwhelming favorite to land the job. Although he did mention that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is under heavy consideration, as well, Rapoport reports that nobody he has connected with on the subject believes anyone other than Vrabel will be hired for the job. The new information in the segment is the bit from Pelissero that the Patriots have already started contract talks with Vrabel’s agent, indicating that a decision is well underway.
This is supported by a recent report from Dianna Russini of The Athletic, who says that, while Johnson interviewed well with New England, he plans to continue meeting with other teams. She adds that the Patriots are reportedly “pushing for a quick resolution to their HC search,” with many around the league expecting a decision this weekend. With that soon of a decision expected, it’s hard to believe New England plans on hiring anyone but the person with whom they’re already discussing a contract.
Vrabel’s first stint as a head coach was widely viewed as a successful one. As a first-time head coach, Vrabel racked up a 54-45 regular-season record and three consecutive postseason berths. His first trip to the playoffs resulted in a trip to the AFC Championship Game, while his next two visits were one-and-dones. He was fired by Tennessee after two consecutive losing seasons in 2022 and 2023 and served as a coaching and personnel consultant in Cleveland this year after failing to land the Chargers’ head-coaching gig.
As the decision to bring on Vrabel seems to be drawing nearer and nearer, so, too, is the assumption that he will reunite Josh McDaniels with his former team. Josh Jones of CBS Sports reiterated Saturday the prediction that McDaniels will serve as Vrabel’s offensive coordinator.
