Black Monday in the NFL has extended a few extra days this year. With what is typically an onslaught of teams making sweeping changes to their head coaches and front office, this year has felt like a Black Week of sorts. The Tennessee Titans relieved Mike Vrabel of his duties earlier in the week, and while that was a shocker, it pales in comparison to the New England Patriots and their move.
For the first time in 24 years, the Patriots will be looking for a head coach to lead their team as they and Bill Belichick agreed to mutually part ways on Thursday morning. A move that although seemed possible and discussed quite a bit throughout this frustrating season, is still shocking nonetheless when put into action.
With the position now open, the question that begs to be asked now is who will replace the legend? Knowing the Patriots, it will probably be someone with familiarity and who has immense respect in that building. Could it be Vrabel?
Will Mike Vrabel Be the New England Patriots Head Coach?
While the news of Belichick and the Patriots going their separate ways is brand new, it has not stopped the discussion and speculation of who will be next in Foxborough. And the name that continues to be thrown around because of how much sense it makes is Vrabel’s — the former Titans head coach and Patriots Hall of Famer.
Vrabel’s connection to the organization is well-established, and the ongoing relationships he has with the owners cannot be ignored. Just this season, during the Titans’ bye week, Vrabel was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Following the ceremony, he spent the rest of the evening in the owner’s suite with Robert Kraft taking in the action on the field.
The optics of a current NFL head coach spending his bye week in the suite at another team game was not lost on people. While the reason behind why Vrabel was there is a legitimate one, the visual of it felt off for some.
The Patriots will have a ton of homework to do when it comes to who will be their next leader, but the signs point to Vrabel being the lead man for the job. The connection and timing of it all just make too much sense to ignore.
Do the Patriots Have a Candidate in Waiting?
While people are going to talk about Vrabel and the obvious natural fit he has for the role, there is also another former Patriots linebacker who may be the man for the job.
Jerod Mayo has been the de facto defensive coordinator for the Patriots for some time now and has been rumored to be Belichick’s successor for years now.
MORE: Bill Belichick Replacements — Possible Candidates Include Mike Vrabel and Jerod Mayo
Vrabel being available may have changed the organization’s thoughts on the matter, but the Patriots are going to go on a full-force coaching search for the first time in almost a quarter century, and no one — including an in-house option with a track record of success — can be ruled out.
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