In a transfer that was extensively anticipated throughout the NFL, the New England Patriots employed Mike Vrabel as head coach per week after firing Jerod Mayo.
Vrabel’s prior teaching expertise — through which he went 54-45 over six seasons with the Tennessee Titans with a 2-3 file within the playoffs — was interesting to the Patriots, as was proprietor Robert Kraft’s background with Vrabel from his enjoying profession as a linebacker in New England (2001-2008).
This is the fourth head coach that Kraft has employed since buying the crew in 1994, the others being Pete Carroll (1997-1999), Bill Belichick (2000-2023) and Mayo (2024).
Taking a more in-depth look, ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss solutions 4 massive questions concerning the Vrabel hiring, together with what comes subsequent. National reporter Dan Graziano dishes on what he is listening to concerning the rent, and draft analyst Matt Miller spins it ahead to the draft. Finally, analyst Ben Solak grades the rent.
What makes Vrabel the precise rent for the Patriots?
Vrabel has proved he can construct a successful tradition, which has added worth for the franchise after Kraft miscalculated that Mayo, 38, was prepared for the job following 5 years as an assistant coach.
Vrabel, 49, will convey order and construction, in addition to a mastery of recreation administration that was fashioned, partially, by what he realized from Belichick as a participant. Belichick usually famous how Vrabel was one of many smartest gamers he had coached. Furthermore, the Patriots want a commanding chief to unify all facets of their soccer operation, one thing that bought away from them lately.
Kraft had a front-row seat to Vrabel’s management throughout his enjoying profession after which as an opposing coach who had success in opposition to New England. It would not damage that Vrabel is a Patriots Hall of Famer who spoke glowingly concerning the group at his crew induction. — Reiss
Did the Patriots have their sights set on Vrabel from the start?
The risk of Vrabel changing into the Patriots’ coach traces again to final yr. New England had language in Mayo’s contract to change into Belichick’s successor, however crew sources mentioned Vrabel’s sudden availability in January 2024 after being fired by the Titans made some inside the crew ponder whether these plans needs to be shelved in favor of Vrabel. They finally have been satisfied sufficient in Mayo to stay with the unique plan. That Vrabel remained out there in 2025, and was interviewing with the AFC East rival New York Jets, provides a layer of context to the choice. — Reiss
How does this influence quarterback Drake Maye?
One of the highest questions is what Vrabel’s imaginative and prescient for the offense appears to be like like, and whom he plans to convey with him as offensive coordinator.
So Maye will doubtless be enjoying in a distinct system than the one carried out in his rookie season by coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and he may also have new place coaches. This is important as many credited Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney for Maye’s growth and serving to refine his footwork after beginning simply 26 video games in faculty.
Maye bought a style for among the NFL’s totally different offensive methods within the pre-draft course of when he met with varied groups and has famous that some have the next diploma of issue than others by way of accountability positioned on the quarterback. — Reiss
What’s the subsequent factor the Patriots ought to do?
Hire a basic supervisor who shares Vrabel’s imaginative and prescient so it’s aligned throughout all departments of the group, reminiscent of Ryan Cowden, who was a prime aide for his ultimate seasons in Tennessee. The Patriots have by no means had a basic supervisor in Kraft’s 31-year tenure, as an alternative preferring for an govt vp of participant personnel alongside the top coach as the highest two staffers on the masthead.
This might be the precise time to vary that strategy, as organizations such because the Patriots have grown exponentially because the Nineties, and a GM-type rent to enrich the top coach is as essential as ever. — Reiss
What are you listening to across the league on the rent?
No one is stunned. It felt like this case was pointing this manner all week, with the crew’s curiosity in Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson the one factor that gave anybody pause. But Vrabel interviewed in individual, not on Zoom, and naturally, the prior relationship with the group was an enormous issue.
Lots of people I discuss to have rolled their eyes a bit on the rent. The Patriots had Belichick for twenty-four years, let him go, did no search in any respect earlier than hiring Mayo, fired Mayo after one season after which rushed their search earlier than hiring Vrabel. Vrabel is an impressive coach and sure the precise rent, nevertheless it appears the Patriots might have benefited from in search of a wider vary of views earlier than leaping on the apparent candidate. — Graziano
How can Vrabel enhance this roster with the No. 4 choose?
The Patriots’ determination needs to be about bettering the general crew and never centered fully on offense or protection. There can be strain from outdoors voices to construct round a stellar younger quarterback in Maye, and bettering the offensive line and broad receiver corps have to be an offseason focus. But it would not should occur at No. 4. Reaching in Round 1 for wants is how unhealthy groups keep unhealthy.
Instead, the “finest participant out there” strategy is likely to be one of the best wager for a crew that misplaced 13 video games and has holes all around the roster. That places gamers like Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter on the board. He’s my prime total participant within the class and can be an ideal addition for a protection that already has shiny spots in Christian Gonzalez and Keion White. Every place outdoors of quarterback needs to be in play for New England, however my choose can be Carter if the QB-needy groups in line for the highest three picks go away him on the board for New England. — Miller
How would you grade this rent?
B+. There is little question Vrabel is a strong head coach. His robust defenses and total roster energy throughout his time in Tennessee are a testomony to that. His return to New England additionally comes with rosy emotions, as he was a profitable participant there and is aware of learn how to emulate Belichick’s system (whereas additionally including his personal spin from his time outdoors of the nucleus). I’ve questions on how Vrabel will fill out his offensive workers and whether or not he can mesh with the crew’s personnel executives, however his hiring dramatically raises the ground for a Patriots crew seeking to get again into rivalry. — Solak
