It sounds like the Patriots could be the first team to fill their head coaching vacancy.

New England completed a virtual interview with Ben Johnson. It didn’t plan other interviews after Friday, which left four candidates. However, many around the NFL know it’s between Mike Vrabel and Johnson.

That’s why the Patriots “are pushing for a quick resolution,” to their head coaching search, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini on Saturday. The NFL insider that people around the NFL expect a decision this weekend.

There was merit to a longer head coach search, but it appears Robert Kraft and the front office want to speed up the process a week after firing Jerod Mayo.

While Vrabel is viewed as the frontrunner, New England was open to being “blown away” by Johnson, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The interview went well, according to Russini. And NFL insider Josina Anderson added that the Patriots would “mull over” their interviews over the weekend.

World class CEO recruiter offers the case for why Patriots need to conduct  a real head coach search - masslive.com

There are still teams that reportedly will want to interview Johnson, and Vrabel is free to continue his process while New England contemplates a decision.

It was a terribly-kept secret, but the Patriots appear to be on the fast track toward naming Vrabel or Johnson their next head coach.