Vrabel to Become Patriots’ New Coach

You can always go back to where everything took off. Mike Vrabel was always the first choice.

The New England Patriots are hiring one of their own, former Super Bowl-winning linebacker Vrabel as their next head coach, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Sunday, according to sources informed of the situation. The Patriots later confirmed the news.

Since the very moment the Patriots parted ways with Jerod Mayo following a turbulent 2024 campaign filled with peaks and valleys, Vrabel was viewed as the frontrunner to lead the franchise he helped win three Super Bowls. Vrabel was named to the team’s Ring of Honor in 2023. Owner Robert Kraft will replace one former Patriots player with another in hopes of much improved results.

A bit of history was made with Vrabel being the first coach since way back in 1950 to immediately succeed another coach where both had played together in the NFL as teammates since Forrest Gregg took over for Bart Starr as Green Bay Packers head coach in 1984, according to NFL Research.

The 49-year-old Vrabel entered the 2025 coaching cycle as one of the most sought-after candidates, taking interviews with the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and Patriots. A return to Foxborough, however, always seemed imminent.

Vrabel’s coaching experience, to go along with his no-nonsense attitude, stood out from the crop of other coaching contenders. The former Pro Bowl linebacker spent six years at the helm leading the Tennessee Titans, compiling a 54-45 record, including three playoff appearances. He earned the 2021 Coach of the Year award with the Titans.

Vrabel’s Titans squads never won the ultimate prize but were applauded for their grit and tenacity and often playing above their talent level. Understanding where the Patriots are in their rebuild, with a young, franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, but a wanting roster, Vrabel’s proven track record and the ability to get the best out of his players will play well in New England. He brings established credibility and mental fortitude to Foxborough, which was nowhere to be found in 2024.

The Patriots boast some stellar building blocks in quarterback Maye and second-team All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez, but they have a bevy of needs. Improving a dreadful offensive line and adding playmakers on offense and in the pass rush is a must this offseason.

New England heads into a crucial offseason in their post-Bill Belichick era. Getting the coaching decision right the second time around is step one.

In his Patriots Hall of Fame speech in 2023, Vrabel said what he experienced in the locker room as a player in New England remains the standard of what he hopes to achieve as a coach.

“We held each other accountable, because there was trust, there was an understanding, a respect that you could say things that needed to be said to each other,” he said. “Every day that’s what I’m trying to recreate wherever I coach. I don’t know if we’ll get it, but every day I’m going to try because nothing was more important than the team.”