The New England Patriots have named Mike Vrabel as their new head coach, the team announced on Sunday morning. This move follows the firing of Jerod Mayo, who was dismissed after the Patriots’ 4-13 season, despite winning their final game against the Buffalo Bills. Mayo had only one season as head coach.
Other candidates who interviewed for the job included Byron Leftwich, former offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pep Hamilton, former offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, and Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. However, Vrabel, a former Patriots player beloved by fans, was seen as the top choice due to his long history with the team and his success as head coach of the Tennessee Titans for the past six years.
Vrabel, 49, is highly regarded for his coaching abilities and his connection with players, much like Mayo. As a player, Vrabel was a key member of the Patriots’ first three Super Bowl victories and was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2023. The hiring marks a return to the franchise for Vrabel, who now takes the reins as head coach.
Jerod Mayo, who had been an assistant under longtime Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, struggled in his first season as head coach. Despite his efforts, he was unable to get strong results from a young team, particularly with rookie quarterback Drake Maye leading the offense. In explaining why he decided to part ways with Mayo, Patriots owner Robert Kraft mentioned that, although he initially believed Mayo could be the successor to Belichick, he now feels Mayo wasn’t quite ready for the role of an NFL head coach.
Mike Vrabel brings valuable head coaching experience to the Patriots, having compiled a 56-48 record during his tenure as head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023. This includes a 2-3 playoff record and a trip to the AFC Championship game in 2019, as well as three consecutive playoff appearances.
Although Vrabel worked as a consultant with the Cleveland Browns this season, his contract expired, giving him the opportunity to explore other job offers. He also interviewed with the New York Jets, but ultimately, the chance to return to New England—a franchise he’s closely tied to—proved to be the most appealing. Now, Vrabel aims to help rebuild the team he’s most connected with throughout his NFL career.
