The New England Patriots hiring coach Mike Vrabel has generated buzz ever since it was announced in January. NFL executives believe it could be a home-run hire.
The Athletic took a poll of league executives asked to grade their favorite head coaching hiring in 2025, and Vrabel going to the Patriots led the pack with 48 points. Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears and Pete Carroll to the Las Vegas Raiders were tied for second with 33 points.
“(Vrabel has been a) successful head coach with bona fide leadership ability, which is underrated with the personalities in today’s game,” said an executive, via The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. “He’s really organized situationally within the game. His personality fits the northeast, where they’re going to run the ball and play good defense. And he has a quarterback.”
Vrabel found success during his run as the Tennessee Titans head coach from 2018-2023, including three straight playoff appearances and a trip to the 2019 AFC Championship Game.
Now, he will be tasked with leading the struggling Patriots back to relevance after three consecutive losing seasons. He’ll have a talented young quarterback and more assets than any other team in the league to rebuild with in the offseason.
It’s hard not to feel optimistic about the direction the franchise is headed.