Mike Vrabel may be close to returning to his former team…this time, as a head coach.
What will comes as not-very-shocking news to many, the New England Patriots are reportedly closing in on making Mike Vrabel their next head coach, succeeding the first (and only) year of Jerod Mayo, who was fired by the club after just one-season in charge in Foxboro.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Vrabel is the ‘overwhelming’ favorite to become New England’s next head coach, but notes that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson is also receiving ‘strong consideration’ for the job if anything fell through between the Patriots and Vrabel.
“The New England Patriots spent a portion of this week interviewing Mike Vrabel, in-person for their vacant head coaching job and also yesterday, spoke to offensive coordinator for the [Detroit] Lions, Ben Johnson, that was a virtual interview, though. My understanding and I think we’ve discussed this fairly widely over the course of the last week or so, Mike Vrabel is believed to be the overwhelming favorite to be the next head coach of the New England Patriots. Now, if that doesn’t work out, Ben Johnson will receive strong consideration. As of right now, this very second, the Patriots have not finalized a deal to make Mike Vrabel their next head coach but I literally have not talked to anybody who believes that this will not happen. Now, there’s a lot to like from Mike Vrabel, the Patriots are certainly familiar with him, obviously he played for them, he played against them, he certainly is a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame, he’s a former All-Pro in New England, he was a successful head coach with the [Tennessee] Titans. So, this one, I think it’s safe to say, makes a lot of sense.”
Rapoport’s colleague, Tom Pelissero followed up by saying New England and Vrabel’s representatives have been in contract negotiations following the interview on Thursday.
“My understanding is that there have been contract talks between the Patriots and Mike Vrabel’s agent, so, potentially a big domino that could fall here in the coming days.”
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay with @TomPelissero and @MikeGarafolo: Mike Vrabel remains the overwhelming favorite for the #Patriots job; Mike McCarthy and the #Cowboys are talking about how to stay together; #Ravens OC Todd Monken & #Steelers OC Arthur Smith both have HC requests. pic.twitter.com/knxJ4uivnV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2025
While it appears Vrabel is well on his way to becoming the Patriots’ next head coach, it’s just what the doctor ordered according to Vrabel’s former Patriots teammate, Tedy Bruschi, who recently said he believes Vrabel is the man to help lead the charge in bringing the organization back to their glory days.
“I gotta say something about my former team, the New England Patriots have been absolutely a mess the last couple years with how they’ve handled things,” Bruschi admitted. “The only way to fix this is to hire Mike Vrabel. I’m telling you right now, a coach that could come in there and doesn’t just lead men, but knows how to lead football players, knows how to reach football players, and can deal with that ownership. Fix the organization, Robert and Jonathan Kraft and hire Mike Vrabel.”
Tedy Bruschi with a strong opinion on the #Patriots HC search (via @ESPNNFL):
“My former team the New England #Patriots have been absolutely a mess the last couple years in how they've handled things. The only way to fix things is to hire Mike Vrabel.
I'm telling you right now.… pic.twitter.com/YCq30B7bzU
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) January 11, 2025
