NFL News: Mike Vrabel Reportedly Will Interview for Patriots HC Job on Thursday

The New England Patriots reportedly "plan" on interviewing Mike Vrabel for their head-coaching vacancy on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, and he's "viewed as a frontrunner heading into the interview."

Vrabel, 49, has obvious ties to the organization after playing linebacker for the team between the 2001-08 seasons. He was a three-time champion in New England, both a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro selection in 2007 and is in the organization's Hall of Fame.

Vrabel spent the 2024 season as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns after cutting ties with the Tennessee Titans following the 2023 season. He spent six seasons as Tennessee's head coach, going 54-45 in the role with three playoff appearances, though the Titans had losing records in each of his last two seasons.

Prior to serving as Tennessee's head coach, he was a linebackers coach (2011) and defensive line coach (2012-13) for the Ohio State Buckeyes and a linebackers coach for the Houston Texans (2014-17).

The Patriots, meanwhile, have already interviewed former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, and have requested to interview current Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (who like Vrabel is considered one of the hottest names on the coaching market).

The Patriots are an intriguing opening on several fronts. While the team has a clear talent deficiency, rookie quarterback Drake Maye showed flashes of stardom in 2024 despite a porous offensive line and a general lack of playmakers around him.

The Patriots also have the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft and will be in a position to select one of the top non-quarterbacks on the board, with players like two-way star Travis Hunter, edge-rusher Abdul Carter, offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. and wideout Tetairoa McMillan among the interesting options for them to consider.

Protecting Maye should be a top priority, so Banks would make a lot of sense, though Hunter would be tough to pass on if he falls to No. 4.