On Sunday morning, the New England Patriots officially hired Mike Vrabel as the team’s 16th head coach. This move comes as no surprise, with the 49-year-old Vrabel having been the favorite for the role since the Patriots parted ways with Jerod Mayo the previous Sunday.
Vrabel was widely regarded as one of the top candidates in this year’s head coaching cycle, and his hiring is already having a ripple effect across the NFL. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero explored the broader impact of Vrabel’s appointment and what it means for other coaching searches, particularly with regard to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Pelissero discussed the implications for other teams still searching for a head coach, noting, "What does this mean for some of the other head coaching searches?" He continued, "We know Mike Vrabel interviewed with the Bears, but it never seemed like he was really one of the top candidates there. Same with the Jets. It always seemed unlikely."
For months, the Las Vegas Raiders had been seen as a potential landing spot for Vrabel, especially since the Raiders now have his former teammate and close friend, Tom Brady, as a minority owner. Brady is also heavily involved in the team’s head coach search. Pelissero revealed a key detail about the relationship between Vrabel and Brady regarding this possibility.
Vrabel’s Commitment to New England
Pelissero explained that the Raiders did not request an interview with Vrabel, even though he was rumored to be a top candidate for the job. According to Pelissero, Vrabel had a conversation with Brady, saying, "I'm gonna end up going back to New England." This statement ultimately led the Raiders to bypass Vrabel, allowing the Patriots to secure his services.
In the aftermath of Vrabel’s hiring, the Raiders moved quickly to fire both head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco this week. Brady was reportedly influential in both decisions, helping steer the franchise in a new direction. The Raiders are now focused on securing Ben Johnson as their next head coach, with Johnson having interviewed virtually with the team on Friday. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Raiders are “willing to wait as long as it takes to secure [him].”
A New Beginning for the Patriots
With Vrabel now at the helm, the Patriots are beginning a new chapter following the era of Bill Belichick. As a former linebacker for New England, Vrabel brings a wealth of experience and familiarity to the head coaching role. He will officially be introduced to the public during a press conference scheduled for Monday morning at Gillette Stadium.
Vrabel’s hiring marks the start of a new journey for the Patriots as they move forward without Belichick, and expectations are high for what this former player-turned-coach can achieve.