The New England Patriots fired Jerod Mayo after one season, as the team finished with a 4-13 record and are slated to pick fourth in the upcoming draft. According to one report, former Ohio State Buckeyes Hall of Famer Mike Vrabel is the current favorite to land the job.
Why Mike Vrabel Makes Sense for the New England Patriots
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Vrabel is the current favorite for New England’s head coach vacancy, and he could bring Josh McDaniels as his offensive coordinator, if hired.
Sources around league and with knowledge of New England’s search consider Mike Vrabel the favorite to land #Patriots job as of now
Another scenario floating: Could he bring Josh McDaniels with him?
From our coaching buzz file https://t.co/YIQSNvxRwA
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 9, 2025
The Patriots have lacked stability since Tom Brady’s departure, missing the playoffs the last three seasons. After mutually parting ways with Bill Belichick after 2023, New England turned to former linebacker Jerod Mayo for the head coach position.
The hire was supposed to bring a new vibe and drastic change to a stagnant organization that has not found the same success since Brady’s departure in 2020.
Vrabel — another former Patriots linebacker — has proven to be able to make an immediate impact when taking over as the head man for an organization that had previously struggled.
During his time in Tennessee, Vrabel led the Titans to a No. 1 seed (2022) and AFC Championship Game appearance (2020) with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback.
New England have a franchise-caliber quarterback in Drake Maye, and his potential and ceiling can be unlocked with the proper coaching, which Vrabel can undoubtedly provide.
With $130 million in cap space and the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Patriots have the ammunition to build a competitive roster around a young, budding quarterback on a rookie contract.
Vrabel’s Ohio State Career
Before his successful NFL career, which included the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the aforementioned Patriots, Vrabel was a dominant force during his collegiate career at Ohio State.
The three-time Super Bowl champion spent four seasons (1993-1996) at Ohio State, establishing himself as one of the nation’s top-end pass rushers during his time as a Buckeye.
In his sophomore campaign, Vrabel compiled 12 sacks, followed by 13 his junior year, and continued that in his final season, totaling nine sacks and 48 tackles, being recognized as a consensus first-team All-American. In addition, he was named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1995 and 1996.
In 2000, Vrabel was named to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team, and in 2012 was inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.