The Patriots logged virtually no time in between head coaches, but the transition from Jerod Mayo to Mike Vrabel was far from an impulse decision in New England.
Robert Kraft and company fired Mayo mere hours after the Patriots’ 2024 season finale Jan. 5. Exactly one week later, Vrabel was officially hired as New England’s new head coach — a position that allowed him to return to the franchise he played eight seasons for in the early 2000s.
While it seemed like the Patriots moved very quickly to land Vrabel, the idea might have been hatched well before the decision was made.
“The Patriots began pondering a move to Mike Vrabel long before his introductory press conference,” MassLive reported last week. “Some in Vrabel’s circle knew a move to Foxborough was in play following New England’s ugly Week 15 loss at Arizona. From that moment on, staffers also noticed the Krafts had less of a presence around the team.”
To be fair, it didn’t take a football genius to connect Vrabel and the Patriots as New England’s 2024 season was spiraling out of control. The ex-linebacker was a free agent after consulting with the Cleveland Browns for the season, and his coaching style is exactly what’s needed at One Patriot Place.
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Thus, Robert Kraft probably was champing at the bit to hire Vrabel once the opportunity was on the table. And now the onus is on both parties to prove the decision was the right one.
Featured image via Eric Canha/Imagn Images
