Following the hiring of Mike Vrabel , the Patriots need to build a team around him, both in the front office and on the coaching staff. It seems that they are not wasting time, as, according to Yahoo Sports reporter Charles Robinson, they are slated to add New York Giants personnel advisor Ryan Cowden to the front office.
Prior to joining the Giants in 2023 as the executive advisor to the general manager, Cowden was the vice president of player personnel for the Tennessee Titans. With the team from 2016-2022, Cowden was there for the entirety of Vrabel’s coaching tenure, and it’s clear they have a strong relationship.
Cowden has been in the mix for general manager roles in the past, even serving as the Titans’ interim GM in 2022 after Jon Robinson was fired. However, per Robinson, he will not be the GM of the Patriots, nor will he have personnel power.
He may not be the only member of the Giants’ staff to be poached by the Patriots. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and tight ends coach Tim Kelly both spent time in Tennessee with Vrabel, and given the horrific season the Giants just had, it would not be shocking to see them leave town, though one insider recently cast doubt on a possible Bowen move.
It will be interesting to see how Cowden’s role with the Patriots plays out. This is likely the first of many additions to New England’s staff with connections to Vrabel.
