NFL Insider Claims Mike Vrabel’s Interview With The Jets Put Pressure On Patriots To Make Head Coaching Change

Mike Vrabel was named the head coach for the Tennessee Titans on January 20, 2018. He remained the head coach for the Titans until January 9, 2024.

After he did not land a head coaching or coordinator gig, he took a job with the Cleveland Browns as a coaching and personnel consultant. His contract with the Browns expired on December 30.

With the regular season over, teams will begin to search for a new head coach and Vrabel will be a popular name.

The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh early in the regular season.

According to CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala, Mike Vrabel’s dalliance with the Jets was to pressure the New England Patriots to make a move.

Was told that Mike Vrabel’s dalliance w/ #Jets was to put pressure on #Patriots to make a move. With a young, incredibly promising QB (who improved every week despite very little talent around him), more cap space than anyone and stable ownership, of course the NE job ranks high.

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 5, 2025

They did just that by letting Jerod Mayo go. Kinkhabwala posted on X that the job in New England ranks high with a promising QB and stable ownership.

Did New England Jump The Gun And Fire Jerod Mayo Too Early?

Robert Kraft said he chose Jerod Mayo to be the next head coach a few years ago. However, he kept him for just one year and did not give him much of a chance to succeed.

The roster is not a good one. Outside of Drake Maye, the rest of the roster is bleak. They have no real weapon on offense. Their defense was one of the worst in the league. They could not pressure the QB.

With one of the worst rosters in the league, Mayo was set up to fail this year. However, it was expected that Mayo would get some time to construct a better roster but Kraft let him go after one season.

Vrabel has connections to the Patriots as well and according to Kinkhabwala, he pressured the Patriots by faking interest in being the New York Jets’ head coach.

Will Mike Vrabel Be New England’s Next Head Coach?

The New England Patriots will have the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They already have a QB in Drake Maye who will enter his second season.

Still, they need a lot to improve. WR, pass rushers, and offensive line are some of the key weaknesses. With the fourth overall pick and not needing a QB, they can draft a player that will make an immediate impact.

With Robert Kraft letting Jerod Mayo go, this is a signal he has a head coach in mind.

Mike Vrabel is the obvious choice with his ties to the Patriots.