The Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel to be their next head coach. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
The New England Patriots tried one of their former linebackers as their head coach and that didn’t work. Now, they’re trying another.
Mike Vrabel has entered contract negotiations be the Patriots’ next head coach, according to the Boston Globe. He would replace Jerod Mayo, who was fired after only one season.
The biggest difference between Vrabel and Mayo is experience. Vrabel had a 54-45 record over six seasons, including three trips to the playoffs, as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Vrabel also has a strong Patriots connection. He spent eight of his 14 NFL seasons with the Patriots, and was a part of three Super Bowl championship teams led by Bill Belichick.
Vrabel to the Patriots seems like a good fit for a rebuilding team. When the Patriots fired Mayo after he went 4-13, it seemed like it was due in part to Vrabel being available. Vrabel interviewed with the Jets on Jan. 3, and the Patriots fired Mayo a few days later. It was hard to believe the two news items weren’t related.
Vrabel is in high demand. The Chicago Bears interviewed him after the Jets did. There was plenty of speculation the Las Vegas Raiders would be interested in hiring Vrabel, given the connection between him and former Patriots teammate Tom Brady, who is now a limited owner with the Raiders. The Patriots obviously were focused on him in their search as well.
The reason Vrabel was a hot name was his time with the Titans. Vrabel started his head coaching career with four straight winning seasons that included three postseason appearances. In 2021 the Titans went 12-5 and were the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Vrabel got plenty of credit for that success, and respect for him around the league didn’t dissipate too much when he had two losing seasons to end his time with the Titans.
With the Patriots, Vrabel would take over a roster that has a lot of holes. The Patriots are 8-26 over the past two seasons. But New England has hope at quarterback after Drake Maye’s promising rookie season.
Vrabel seemed like a good fit for the Patriots last season, but the Patriots reportedly had an agreement with Mayo to be Belichick’s successor. After an unsuccessful season with Mayo, Vrabel was still available. And the Patriots have chosen him as their target.