Why Patriots Might Need To Move Quickly If They Want Mike Vrabel

The day after the end of the regular season is crucial for NFL teams, and the Patriots need to know their plans.

Head coach Jerod Mayo may or may not be fighting for his job this Sunday. On the other hand, a win or loss against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium might not matter. That’s because most reports signaled Robert Kraft still believed in the 38-year-old enough to give him another shot next season. However, the way New England played after its bye week led many to wonder if that sentiment could change.

If Mayo did get fired after his first season, the most popular choice to replace him would be Mike Vrabel, who reportedly would have an interest in the position. The Patriots wouldn’t be the only team interested in the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year, though. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported on NBC Sports Boston on Monday that Vrabel’s future would be “the fastest moving train on the coaching market.”

Vrabel’s consulting agreement with the Cleveland Browns reportedly expired Monday, so teams can speak to him as soon as they fire their head coach. Breer highlighted the Las Vegas Raiders as a potential Vrabel destination given the connections to Tom Brady.

Teams tend to move fast to hire a new head coach to quickly build a foundation with that person’s vision. If Vrabel’s market is going to move quickly, then New England must decide what it wants to do with Mayo. The Patriots can ill afford to wait too long and possibly miss out on a head coach who could help turn them around.

The Monday after Week 18 could be a day for Patriots fans to keep a close eye on coaching news.