Patriots Tracker: Latest Reports, Rumors Amid Head Coaching Search

The Patriots embark on their first coaching search in more than two decades, and owner Robert Kraft expressed New England wants to get it right.

That means turning over some rocks and meeting with the top coaching candidates, which the franchise did not do last offseason before promoting Jerod Mayo. Mayo, however, was fired after one year at the helm due to the obvious on-field regression.

We’ve compiled the latest reports and rumors in one place for Patriots fans, especially since early indications are New England will be active during the process.

Saturday, Jan. 11
1:33 p.m.: The Patriots and Mike Vrabel’s agent engaged in contract talks, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero

11:32 a.m.: Mike Vrabel “remains the favorite” to become Patriots head coach after they completed four interviews this week, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. New England will go through the candidates this week.

8:27 a.m.: The Patriots “are pushing for a quick resolution” to their head coaching search, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. People around the NFL expect a decision this weekend.

Friday, Jan. 10
10:36 p.m.: The Patriots will be “mulling over” their interviews over the weekend, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.

1:55 p.m.: The Patriots announced they completed their interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. New England did not have any other interviews scheduled at the time.

10:36 a.m.: The Patriots have long been tied to Mike Vrabel, and while many people believe he’ll ultimately be the hire, they’re reportedly “open” to other outcomes. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Friday that the club is open to being blown away by Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

It’s still looking like it’ll be Vrabel, but maybe that isn’t such a guarantee.

Thursday, Jan. 9
2:55 p.m.: The Patriots will interview Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday morning, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Johnson will interview with the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday afternoon before the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.

12:36 p.m: The Las Vegas Raiders do not have a meeting set up to interview Mike Vrabel, according to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. That’s certainly not a bad thing for those in New England.

Wednesday, Jan. 8:
8:04 p.m.: In Patriots-related news, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced they have requested an interview with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

3:41 p.m.: The Patriots on Wednesday requested to interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

2:51 p.m.: While it was previously reported the Patriots would interview Johnson, we now know when. New England will have a virtual interview with the Lions offensive coordinator on Friday, according to MassLive’s Mark Daniels.

10:12 a.m.: It Patriots-related news, the Las Vegas Raiders reportedly have requested interviews with Ben Johnson and Glenn, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. New England reportedly has an interview lined up with Johnson,

Tuesday, Jan. 7:
4:59 p.m.: It previously was reported the Patriots had an interview lined up with Mike Vrabel, and NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the interview will take place Thursday.

4:28 p.m.: The Patriots announced they completed interviews with Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton for the organization’s head coach position. In doing so, they satisfied the Rooney Rule and now are able to hire their next head coach at any time.

1:35 p.m.: The Patriots interviewed longtime NFL assistant Pep Hamilton, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. Hamilton is very high on Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III.

1:25 p.m.: Flores, a former Patriots assistant and current Vikings coordinator, confirmed he’d grant an interview request should the organization request it.

12:58 p.m.: Well, Patriots fans have learned of the first surprise name. The Patriots will interview Byron Leftwich for its head-coaching position, according to The Athletic’s Mike Jones.

12:28 p.m: The Patriots will interview Vrabel for their head coaching position this week, according to MassLive’s Mark Daniels.

10:41 p.m.: Johnson, who reportedly will interview with the Patriots, received an interview request from the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to the team.

Monday, Jan. 6:
12:38 p.m.: A half-dozen league executives believe Vrabel will land the Patriots head coaching position, according to Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi.

11:06 a.m.: The Patriots requested to interview Johnson, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Johnson is one of the top coaching candidates this offseason.

9:20 a.m.: The Athletic’s Chad Graff reported Vrabel has “shown interest” in New England’s potential vacancy in recent weeks.

Sunday, Jan. 5
6:53 p.m.: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler floated Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen as a potential candidate. Fowler later mentioned Vrabel and Flores as candidates in the “wide-ranging” search, as well.

6:24 p.m.: Not long after the firing of Mayo, ESPN’s Mike Reiss was the first to report the Patriots were expected to interview Vrabel. The Athletic’s Chad Graff used the term “front-runner” to describe Vrabel.