Vrabel Returns to Patriots as NFL Coaching Carousel Begins to Spin

The first domino of this season’s NFL hiring cycle fell on Sunday when the Patriots announced Mike Vrabel as the franchise’s new head coach. 

Vrabel, a former All-Pro linebacker, played eight of his 14 NFL seasons in New England, where he was on three Super Bowl-winning squads. He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2023 and is the second straight former Patriots player to take on the role, replacing Jerod Mayo, who was fired after his lone 4–13 season.

As the head coach of the Titans from 2018 to 2023, Vrabel was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2021, leading Tennessee to a 12–5 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. However, in the next two seasons, the Titans posted records of 7-10 and 6-11, leading to Vrabel’s dismissal.

The terms of Vrabel’s contract—reported to be a multiyear deal—have not been released. He will be formally introduced to the media in New England on Monday. The Patriots also interviewed Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, among others, but Detroit’s defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, turned down their interview request. 

The Patriots don’t have a GM, but executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf has been leading the team’s front office. Along with Vrabel’s hiring, the Giants’ Ryan Cowden, who is executive advisor to GM Joe Schoen, is expected to join New England’s front office, according to Yahoo Sports. New England currently has $133 million in 2025 cap space, most in the NFL. The franchise could be very active this offseason.

Around the League

The hiring fills one of six head coach openings. The Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Raiders, and Saints are still searching. New York and Las Vegas are also looking for a new GM, as are the Titans, who retained head coach Brian Callahan.

While the Cowboys don’t technically have a coaching vacancy, the clock is ticking on Mike McCarthy’s contract, which expires on Wednesday. Dallas owner and GM Jerry Jones has not said that he wants to move on from McCarthy, and denied a request from the Bears to interview the coach for their vacancy, according to ESPN. If a new contract hasn’t been signed by Wednesday, McCarthy would be free to interview with other teams.