The Patriots began the final step to hiring their next head coach.
New England has engaged in contract talks with Mike Vrabel, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi confirmed the news, adding that money will be a factor.
Vrabel has long been viewed as the frontrunner for the position, though reports stated the club was open to being “blown away” by Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. New England was happy with the interview, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Johnson apparently didn’t show enough, though.
The Patriots likely will have to pay a top-of-the-market deal for Vrabel, which is something they could mull over due to the fact that they’re still paying out contracts for an entire coaching staff. It’s possible they’ve backed themselves into a corner, though, as the amount of interviews they conducted really only left them with one option: pay up.
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Featured image via Denny Simmons / The Tennessean via Imagn Images
