How eager was Mike Vrabel to return to New England to become head coach of the Patriots?

Well, one report claimed the former linebacker turned down the opportunity to work with one of his close friends, who just so happens to be one of the best football players of all time.

Shortly after the Patriots announced their reunion with Vrabel, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on a recent exchange between New England’s new head coach and Tom Brady. According to Pelissero, Vrabel effectively told Brady not to bother setting up an interview in Las Vegas because he already had his sights set on Foxboro, Mass.

Appearing on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” one day after his introductory press conference at Gillette Stadium, Vrabel was asked if Pelissero’s reporting was accurate.

“Well, I don’t know if that was the case,” Vrabel said Tuesday morning. “Tom and I have had many discussions. We’re friends, we’re teammates. We continue to talk throughout my career coaching.”

Even if Vrabel talked shop with Brady and the Raiders, it feels safe to assume he still would have taken his talents to New England. The Patriots currently have a far better quarterback situation than the Silver and Black and Vrabel already has a ton of institutional knowledge in New England after playing for Robert Kraft’s team for nearly a decade.

So, there probably was quite a bit of truth to Pelissero’s report. Brady and the Raiders probably would have been wasting their time if they interviewed Vrabel.