These Teams Reportedly Made ‘Late Pushes’ For Patriots’ Mike Vrabel

The Patriots clearly were eager to reunite with Mike Vrabel, but the former linebacker apparently really wanted to head back to New England as well.

Vrabel was named the Patriots’ new head coach Sunday, exactly one week after the position was vacated by Jerod Mayo. The sides arrived at a union after New England conducted three other interviews last week and Vrabel flirted with a few franchises.

Two of those organizations, however, reportedly had an interest in Vrabel that went beyond general intrigue.

“A top candidate on the market, every team with a head coaching vacancy pursued Mike Vrabel,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini posted to X. “Despite consistent and late pushes from the Bears and Jets, New England is the team that lands him.”

The Patriots and Vrabel seemingly both knew what their respective searches were going to include. In fact, the three-time Super Bowl champion reportedly told former teammate Tom Brady to not even bother setting up a meeting in Las Vegas since he knew he was bound for Foxboro, Mass.

Taking care of business quickly probably was a preference for both Vrabel and the Patriots. But after putting all of their eggs in each other’s baskets, the sides better hope their partnership breeds positive results.