Pros, Cons If Patriots Hire Mike Vrabel To Replace Jerod Mayo
The New England Patriots acted swiftly after another 4-13 season. New England fired head coach Jerod Mayo just hours after a Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills, which leaves a now admirable job vacancy up for grabs.
There’s so many reasons Mike Vrabel is connected to the job and will be as the search begins for the Patriots. New England needs to consider all of them to get this coaching search right.
Here’s a few factors for the Patriots to consider with Vrabel rumors swirling.
PROS
Championship understanding
Vrabel became a cultural pillar in New England and helped build the first half of the dynasty with three championships. His linebacking core set the tone for a blue-collar team that took over the football world. He pushed others to be better and settled the tides with veteran leadership.
The Patriots need to get back to winning in all aspects of operations. Vrabel is a winner.
Head coaching experience
The rookie head coach route clearly didn’t work for the Patriots with Mayo. Vrabel already proved he can lead a team to real expectations as a head coach.
Vrabel went 54-45 in six seasons with the Tennessee Titans. His team eliminated the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in the 2019 AFC Wild Card round, took the Titans to the AFC Championship and earned the No. 1 seed in the conference in 2021.
Culture standard
The Patriots need accountability, direction and overall progress. Vrabel brought those values everywhere he went in his football life.
CONS
Need for total outside view?
Vrabel proved he could win elsewhere as a head coach, but the Patriots wanted to make a statement last year and totally shift from Bill Belichick traditions in New England.
Would Vrabel be too similar as another alumni for their liking?
Need for offensive mind
The 21st century in New England is all about defensive-minded head coaches so far in Belichick and Mayo. Vrabel would be another defensive mind, which isn’t the worst thing, but would the Patriots prefer to pivot to a leader with an offensive background?
That could be the appeal if New England put out an all-out press for Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
If nothing else, it’s a factor for the Patriots to consider, especially given the need to build around franchise quarterback Drake Maye.