The New England Patriots’ season feels like a crossover episode no one asked for: a mix of chaos, missteps, and please-make-it-stop moments. With the team spiraling, fans are now eyeing Mike Vrabel as their next big hope to steer the ship. Why Vrabel, though? Well, he’s got that former-Patriots-star-turned-coach energy, a formula as reliable as Steph Curry sinking threes.
Jerod Mayo’s reign hasn’t delivered, and Patriots fans are over it. Plus, the idea of Vrabel taking over has people asking, What’s the downside?
Patriots Fans Split: Mike Vrabel Buzz Builds as Jerod Mayo Struggles
With Mayo’s struggles as head coach leaving the Patriots in the AFC basement, the buzz around Vrabel taking over is growing louder.
One fan compared Mayo’s coaching woes to the Chicago Bears’ disastrous season under Matt Eberflus: “Literally 0 downside. Bringing back Mayo is running the Eberflues Playbook. Look what happened to the Bears this season. Lame Duck coach is not worth it.”
Literally 0 downside.
Bringing back Mayo is running the Eberflues Playbook. Look what happened to the Bears this season. Lame Duck coach is not worth it
— Yap (@Yapybara) December 28, 2024
Others see Vrabel as the solution. “If you want to win, this is the way to do it,” declared another, citing Vrabel’s hard-nosed style and history as a Patriots legend. The sentiment? A former Pats hero turned respected coach could be the perfect Band-Aid for this bleeding franchise.
If you want to win, this is the way to do it
— Ryan Zichosch (@Ziggyisthetrex) December 28, 2024
Not everyone’s on board, though. Some fans argue that Vrabel isn’t the right call.
“I can’t even begin to express how bad of a hire Mike Vrabel would be. Mayo clearly isn’t the answer and neither is Vrabel. Josh McDaniels I could be talked into, though,” one user commented.
I can't even begin to express how bad of a hire Mike Vrabel would be.
Mayo clearly isn't the answer and neither is Vrabel.
McDaniels I could be talked into, though.
— Roman Anthony Enjoyer (@AnthonyEnjoyer_) December 28, 2024
Others floated outside-the-building names like Arthur Smith or Ben Johnson. The recurring theme? Anybody but Mayo.
Patriots fans are also venting frustrations with the organization’s leadership. “Wise ownership is so important,” lamented one, calling out the stubborn decision-making by Robert Kraft.
Amid the chaos, Vrabel seems like the dream candidate. He’s got the résumé: three Super Bowl rings as a player and a Coach of the Year award in 2021. And, according to reports, Vrabel is allegedly interested in the job.
Vrabel’s Résumé Sparks Real Interest in Patriots HC Job
Per Connor Campbell on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Vrabel is “very interested” in becoming the Patriots’ next head coach.
"Word on the street is that Mike Vrabel is very interested in being the Head Coach of the New England Patriots..
Allegedly that is VERY real" ~ @BostonConnr #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/IKxIs51bix
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 26, 2024
Vrabel’s coaching record is legitimate. Having retired as a player in 2010, he started his coaching career with the Tennessee Titans in 2018. He racked up a 54-45 record, earned Coach of the Year, and led the team to three straight playoff appearances (2019-2021). Sure, the Titans crashed in 2023 with a 6-11 finish, but his résumé was still commendable.
Since his Titans exit, Vrabel’s been biding his time as a consultant with the Cleveland Browns, but he sure is ready to return to the sideline.
As Campbell put it, the rumors of Vrabel’s Patriots interest are “very real.” Plus, the timing couldn’t be better — Mayo’s rocky first season has fans questioning.
That said, could Vrabel be the Patriots’ next big play? Fans do think so. Now, it’s on Robert Kraft to decide if this reunion is worth the gamble.