A former New England Patriots linebacker is reportedly interested in the Patriots’ coaching position if current coach Jerod Mayo is terminated after the season. Is Mike Vrabel ready to take the reigns in Foxboro, Mass.?
Ex-Titans Coach Ready To Take Over in New England
Vrabel, who played under Bill Belichick, coached the Tennessee Titans for six seasons. He led the Titans to three straight post-season appearances from 2019-2021 and was terminated by Tennessee in 2023. The Titans had finished last in the AFC South last season with a 6-11 record.
He spent this season as a personnel consultant to the Cleveland Browns. He has the itch to put the headset back on and take over a team, according to Connor Campbell of “The Pat McAfee Show.” He said Vrabel is “very interested” in taking over the Patriots.
“Word on the street is that Vrabel wants to coach at one place,” Campbell said on Thursday’s show.
“That is very real. Allegedly, Vrabel is very interested in being the head coach of the New England Patriots. … I believe that is who [Dan] Orlovsky was talking about when he said Vrabel might have a place already.”
ESPN’s Orlovsky was on “The Pat McAfee Show” last week and said Vrabel was “already spoken for” but would not disclose to whom.
"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 played in New England for eight seasons. He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and has more coaching experience than Mayo. He is also a coach with playoff experience looking for a job. That is not something you find on the street every day. Vrabel knows what it is like to win as a coach.
He could be very enticing to an elderly owner like Bob Kraft who wants to win today and cannot wait until tomorrow. When he let Belichick walk away, he thought Mayo was going to lead the team to the playoffs in short order.
There have also been rumors linking Vrabel to the Las Vegas Raiders job if it should open up, but going back to New England would make the most sense.
Although Mayo is in his first season with the Patriots, the team is 3-12 and looking at a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Like Vrabel, Mayo is a former Patriots linebacker, and this is his first head coaching gig.
The Patriots have not played good football this year and it is not due to a mere lack of talent. Mayo has been learning the job on the fly and might need a bit more seasoning as a coordinator before he is ready for another head coaching gig.