Leave it to the NFL coaching carousel to have the plot of a soap opera. Every year, it’s full of twists and turns. This year, on the day after Black Monday, former New England Patriots linebacker and current Cleveland Browns consultant Mike Vrabel is at the center of the NFL coaching rumors plot.
Rumors are swirling that Vrabel, who played a pivotal role in the Patriots’ dominance from 2001 to 2008, could be a candidate to return to Foxborough, Mass., as head coach in 2025. Patriots alum Jerod Mayo was relieved of his duties on Jan. 6, 2025, after a tumultuous season.
The presence of Raiders minority owners and Vrabel’s former teammates, Tom Brady and Richard Seymour, who could sway him to the desert, adds a layer of intrigue. Meanwhile, both teams are searching for new leadership after disappointing seasons. The Raiders recently fired Antonio Pierce after just one year as head coach.
But what’s fueling these whispers? Let’s break it down.
A Rocky Year for Jerod Mayo, Antonio Pierce
Jerod Mayo, another former Patriots linebacker turned coach, was viewed as a promising heir to the Bill Belichick throne when he took over as head coach in New England for the 2024 season. But Mayo’s tenure was short-lived. A disappointing 4-13 record, combined with struggles to establish consistency on both sides of the ball, led to his dismissal after just one season.
Mayo’s firing underscores the challenges facing the Patriots. While Belichick is now back to coaching after a year as an NFL analyst, his shadow still looms large over the franchise. Given the success of Belichick’s tenure, finding the right leader to guide the team into its next chapter is no easy task. Mayo’s abrupt vacancy could open the door for Vrabel to return and attempt to right the Patriot ship.
Meanwhile, in Vegas, Pierce’s single-season tenure was just as rocky. Elevated to the role after Josh McDaniels’ midseason firing in 2023, Pierce stabilized the team but finished with the same 4-13 record mirrored by the Patriots after becoming the full-time head man in 2024 following his interim role.
- Las Vegas’ PFN Offense+ Grade, 2024: 64.9 (D), 29th
- Las Vegas’ PFN Defense+ Grade, 2024: 71.2 (C-), 21st
- New England’s PFN Offense+ Grade, 2024: 65.8 (D), 26th
- New England’s PFN Defense+ Grade, 2024: 64.4 (D), 30th
The Tom Brady-Richard Seymour-Mike Vrabel Connection
The plot thickens when factoring in Brady and Seymour’s influence. The two, who shared a locker room with Vrabel during New England’s glory days, are now minority owners of the Raiders. Their connections to Vrabel have made him a leading candidate to replace Pierce, potentially setting up one of the most talked-about coaching hires in recent memory.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini recently highlighted Brady’s growing role in Raiders decision-making, saying, “It will be interesting to see how much influence Tom Brady will have in this next Raiders coaching search. I’m told it will be a lot.”
READ MORE: Brady Expected To Play Role in Hiring New HC After Pierce Firing
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer added, “Last year, Tom Brady’s presence at the final practice of the Raiders season led some in the organization to believe Mike Vrabel was on his way. It didn’t happen, but the Brady/Seymour/Vrabel connection is one that’s lingered there. Vrabel could get plenty of control in Vegas.”
Brady and Seymour are influential figures who are both loved and feared in their post-NFL careers. We’ll have to wait and see how their roles influence the Vrabel saga.
Last year, Tom Brady’s presence at the final practice of the Raiders season led some in the organization to believe Mike Vrabel was on his way. It didn’t happen, but the Brady/Seymour/Vrabel connection is one that’s lingered there.
Vrabel could get plenty of control in Vegas. https://t.co/Bv2DiRBv2X
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 7, 2025