The New England Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as their new head coach a week after they let go of Jerod Mayo. This decision was expected by many in the NFL. Vrabel’s experience as a coach, where he had a 54-45 record over six seasons with the Tennessee Titans and a 2-3 record in the playoffs, made him an attractive option for the Patriots.
The connection between Vrabel and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who knew him from his time as a player for New England, also played a role in the decision. Vrabel was a linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, and Kraft had a good relationship with him.
This marks the fourth time Kraft has hired a head coach since owning the team in 1994. The other coaches were Pete Carroll (1997-1999), Bill Belichick (2000-2023), and Jerod Mayo (2024). ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss answers four key questions about Vrabel’s hiring, including what happens next. National reporter Dan Graziano shares his thoughts on the hire, while draft analyst Matt Miller looks ahead to the draft. Finally, analyst Ben Solak gives a grade for the hire.
What makes Vrabel the right choice for the Patriots?
Vrabel has shown that he can build a winning culture, which the Patriots need after Kraft mistakenly thought Mayo, who was only 38, was ready for the job after five years as an assistant coach. Vrabel, at 49, brings order, structure, and a strong understanding of game management, skills he developed as a player under Bill Belichick. Belichick often praised Vrabel for being one of the smartest players he coached.
The Patriots need a strong leader to bring together all aspects of their football operations, something they have lacked in recent years. Kraft saw Vrabel’s leadership firsthand as a player and later as an opposing coach who succeeded against New England. It also helps that Vrabel is a Patriots Hall of Famer and spoke highly of the team at his Hall of Fame induction.
Did the Patriots always want Vrabel to be the coach?
The idea of Vrabel becoming the Patriots’ head coach began last year. New England had included language in Mayo’s contract that made him Belichick’s successor, but sources say that when Vrabel unexpectedly became available in January 2024 after being fired by the Titans, some people in the organization wondered if they should change their plans. However, they eventually decided to stick with Mayo. Vrabel was still available in 2025 and was interviewing with the New York Jets, a division rival, which added context to the Patriots’ decision.
How will this affect quarterback Drake Maye?
A major question surrounding Vrabel’s hiring is what kind of offensive system he plans to implement and who he will choose as the offensive coordinator. Maye will likely play in a different system than the one used by coordinator Alex Van Pelt during his rookie season, and he will also have new position coaches.
This change is significant because many credited Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney for helping Maye develop his skills and refine his footwork, as he had started just 26 games in college. Maye got a glimpse of different NFL offensive systems during the pre-draft process when he met with various teams, and he has noted that some systems place more responsibility on the quarterback than others.
What should the Patriots do next?
The next step for the Patriots is to hire a general manager who shares Vrabel’s vision for the team. This person will help align all aspects of the organization. One possible candidate is Ryan Cowden, who was a key assistant to Vrabel during his final seasons with the Titans.
The Patriots have never had a general manager under Kraft’s ownership; instead, they have preferred having an executive vice president of player personnel alongside the head coach as the two main leaders. However, this could be the right time for the Patriots to change their approach. Teams like the Patriots have grown significantly since the 1990s, and hiring a general manager to support the head coach is more important than ever.
Vrabel, who played for Bill Belichick in New England, is now tasked with leading the team.
What are people saying around the league about the hire?
Many people weren’t surprised by the Patriots hiring Vrabel. It seemed like the direction the team was headed all week, with the only uncertainty coming from the Patriots’ interest in Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. However, Vrabel’s in-person interview and his prior relationship with the team played a significant role in the decision.
Some people, however, have questioned the hire. They feel that after having Belichick for 24 years and firing him, the Patriots quickly hired Mayo without much of a search, then fired Mayo after one season and quickly hired Vrabel. While Vrabel is a strong coach and likely the right choice, some believe the Patriots could have benefited from considering other candidates before choosing someone they already knew well.
How can Vrabel improve the roster with the No. 4 pick?
The Patriots should focus on improving the entire team rather than just offense or defense. There will be outside pressure to build around Maye, but improving the offensive line and wide receiver corps should be priorities for the offseason. However, they don’t need to focus on these areas with the No. 4 pick.
Picking players based solely on need is what keeps bad teams stuck in a cycle of losing. Instead, the Patriots should go with the best available player, which could be someone like Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, who would be a perfect fit for a defense that already has strong players like Christian Gonzalez and Keion White. The Patriots should be open to improving any position other than quarterback, but Carter would be a great pick if he’s still available when they choose.
How would you grade this hire?
B+. Vrabel is definitely a solid head coach. His strong defenses and overall roster strength during his time with the Titans prove his coaching abilities. His return to New England is positive, as he was a successful player there and knows how to apply Belichick’s system while adding his own perspective from his time away.
There are questions about how Vrabel will fill out his offensive staff and whether he will be able to work well with the team’s personnel executives, but his hiring significantly improves the prospects of a Patriots team looking to get back into playoff contention.
