NFL Rumors: Who Execs Believe Will Be Patriots’ New Head Coach

The Patriots are on the hunt for a new head coach, and it seems like there’s already a leader in the clubhouse for the role.

The top of New England’s coaching totem pole was vacated Sunday when Robert Kraft officially fired Jerod Mayo after only one season. Mayo waltzed into the position last year after Bill Belichick was fired, but the Patriots reportedly will conduct a “wide-ranging” search this time around.

The process reportedly could include offensive gurus like Liam Coen and Ben Johnson, who reportedly received a request to interview with New England. A handful of folks around the NFL, however, believe Mayo will be replaced by a fellow former Patriots player.

“I have talked to a half-dozen league execs today and all believe Mike Vrabel will be the Patriots next head coach. Not surprising,” Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi posted to X on Monday.

Vrabel was reported to be the “front-runner” for the Patriots job shortly after Mayo was shown the door. And the position reportedly is one the Super Bowl-winning linebacker has had on his radar for quite a while.

It would be negligent of New England to not seriously consider other candidates. But we also shouldn’t be at all surprised if Vrabel ends up returning to his old stomping grounds.