Patriots Rumors: Mike Vrabel 'Heavy Favorite' to Be HC; Josh McDaniels Linked as OC

The New England Patriots' search for a new head coach is still in the early stages, but it sounds like there's already a frontrunner for the job.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, former Patriots linebacker and coveted coaching candidate Mike Vrabel could be on the verge of a homecoming.

"Vrabel is indeed the heavy favorite from all that I'm hearing, as he fits the mold when it comes to organization, player development and leadership," Fowler stated. "Whether Vrabel wants a level of personnel say or his own guys in the building remains to be seen."

Vrabel spent the 2024 season as a coaching consultant for the Cleveland Browns. He became one of the most respected coaches in the NFL over his six-year run with the Tennessee Titans, as he led the team to a 54-45 record with three playoff appearances and earned the NFL Coach of the Year award in 2021.

Fowler noted that the Patriots only have four known interviews scheduled, as former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich spoke with the team on Wednesday. Vrabel is set to meet with New England on Thursday, and Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson will have a virtual interview with the team on Friday.

If Vrabel is tabbed as the Patriots' next head coach, Fowler noted that he could bring another familiar face with him as well in former OC Josh McDaniels, who was a member of New England's coaching staff under former head coach Bill Belichick from 2001 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2021.

"There is buzz in some coaching circles that Josh McDaniels could be a prime candidate to be Vrabel's offensive coordinator," Fowler wrote. "That would be quite the nostalgia tandem, and though McDaniels is a two-time failed head coach, no one disputes his coordinator chops."