The New England Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel as their new head coach, filling a crucial role for the team. But the franchise still has a lot of work ahead this offseason.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft was able to secure Vrabel, who brings experience, leadership, and hands-on coaching to the team. He will provide much-needed stability and accountability for the Patriots.
However, Vrabel will need to build a strong coaching staff to support him in his new role. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, who are both in limbo after Jerod Mayo’s dismissal, are unlikely to return. This will leave two major coaching vacancies to fill, along with other assistant and positional coaching roles that Vrabel will want to fill with his own people.
Vrabel’s extensive experience in the NFL, along with his connections in both the NFL and college football, should make it easier for him to put together a solid staff.
In addition to coaching staff changes, the Patriots will need to sort out their front office. Eliot Wolf remains in charge for now, but with Vrabel on board, the structure is likely to change. Vrabel will likely want to work with someone who shares his vision for the team moving forward.
While hiring Vrabel addresses the team’s biggest need, there is still plenty more to be done for the Patriots.
Hire an Offensive Coordinator
With quarterback Drake Maye seen as the future of the franchise, it is crucial that the Patriots hire the right offensive coordinator this offseason. The team needs someone who can help Maye develop and put him in the best position to reach his full potential. The Patriots cannot afford to waste a year of Maye’s growth.
There is a small chance that Vrabel might ask Van Pelt to return to maintain continuity as Maye enters his second NFL season. However, Vrabel will probably look outside the organization to find someone he wants to work with.
Vrabel may not need to look far. Former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could return to New England for a third stint as offensive coordinator. Although McDaniels has struggled as a head coach, he has been a highly effective offensive coordinator, especially during his time working with Tom Brady.
Under McDaniels, the Patriots ranked sixth in the NFL in 2021, averaging 27.6 points per game. The offense has significantly dropped since McDaniels left for the Raiders in 2022, ranking last in 2023 and 30th in 2024.
If McDaniels is not the choice, Vrabel could consider former NFL offensive minds like Byron Leftwich or Pep Hamilton, both of whom interviewed for the head coach role before Vrabel was hired. Though both have been out of the NFL since 2022, they have a strong understanding of offensive football.
Vrabel could also explore candidates like Tommy Rees, who worked with Vrabel in Cleveland last season, or former Rams coach Nick Caley, who turned down the Patriots last offseason. Another possibility is Josh McCown, who had a successful season as the Minnesota Vikings’ QB coach and has worked with Maye in the past.
If the Patriots want someone with NFL experience as an offensive coordinator, they might consider Ken Dorsey, who was the offensive coordinator in Buffalo before being let go by Cleveland.
Hire a Defensive Coordinator
Vrabel brings a wealth of defensive knowledge from his playing days, but the Patriots will still need to fill their defensive coordinator position. DeMarcus Covington, who served in the role last season, is expected to be let go after the team’s defensive struggles in 2024.
Vrabel likely has several potential candidates in mind from his time with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Ohio State. One name that stands out is Robert Saleh, who had a successful run as defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers and is a hot candidate in the market. Saleh could be a strong addition to get the Patriots’ defense back on track.
Fill Out the Rest of Vrabel’s Staff
The Patriots made significant progress in special teams under coordinator Jeremy Springer in 2024, and Vrabel will need to decide whether to retain him. He will also need to make decisions about the team’s positional coaches, which could lead to fast changes in Foxborough.
After a disappointing season for the Patriots’ wide receivers, it’s likely that wide receivers coach Tyler Hughes will be dismissed. This could open the door for former Patriots receiver Wes Welker, who was let go by the Miami Dolphins after three years as their wide receivers coach.
Sort Out the Front Office
Sorting out the front office is the most important task for the Patriots. Vrabel will have a major role in personnel decisions, so the team needs to find someone who shares his vision for the future. Both Vrabel and the new front-office staff must be aligned when it comes to building the team.
While Kraft has said that Eliot Wolf will remain as executive VP of player personnel, Vrabel likely has the authority to bring in a new general manager if necessary. Whoever is hired must work well with Vrabel and have a strong eye for talent.
The Patriots need to improve across almost every position, except quarterback, and Vrabel and the front office will face a tough challenge. A strong candidate for a front-office role is Ryan Cowden, who worked with Vrabel in Tennessee and is currently with the New York Giants.
Other potential candidates include Kansas City assistant GM Mike Borgonzi and Detroit assistant GM Ray Agnew, both of whom have been successful in their respective roles.
Though Wolf remains with the Patriots for now, his position may change after a less-than-successful offseason in 2024.
Whatever the outcome, the Patriots are set to make major changes to their organizational structure this offseason.
