Have the New England Patriots settled on a new head coach?
The team is now in negotiations with former Tennessee Titans head coach – and long-time Patriots linebacker – Mike Vrabel, according to Fox Sports’ NFL Insider, Jordan Schultz. The Boston Globe’s Nicole Yang has also reported the Patriots’ negotiations with Vrabel.
The 4-13 Patriots recently fired first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, who had come under fire after replacing New England legend Bill Belichick before the season.
Vrabel is one year removed from his own dismissal in Nashville after 54-45 over six seasons. He was fired after a 6-11 campaign in 2011.
The Patriots recently interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday, while Vrabel has spoken with the Chicago Bears and rival New York Jets about their respective head-coaching positions.
The 49-year-old led Tennessee to three playoff appearances from 2018 to 2023. The 2019 team advanced to the AFC championship game, losing to Patrick Mahomes and the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Tennessee combined to go 23-10 the next two seasons while capturing back-to-back AFC South championships, only to finish 7-10 in 2022 and 6-11 in 2023.
Vrabel was a hard-nosed linebacker who played on three Super Bowl championship teams during a 14-year career with Pittsburgh, New England and Kansas City from 1997 to 2010. He was All-Pro with the Patriots in 2007.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel argues a call during a game against Jacksonville
The 4-13 Patriots previously fired first-year head coach Jerod Mayo (pictured), who had come under fire after replacing New England legend Bill Belichick before the season
He also moonlighted at tight end in goal-line situations, catching 10 passes over his impressive career.
