Patriots Rumors: Insiders 'Have Rolled Their Eyes a Bit at' Mike Vrabel's Hire as HC

The New England Patriots hired former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on Sunday but the news didn't exactly shock the rest of the NFL, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.

"A lot of people I talk to have rolled their eyes a bit at the hire," Graziano reported. "The Patriots had Belichick for 24 years, let him go, did no search at all before hiring Mayo, fired Mayo after one season and then rushed their search before hiring Vrabel."

Graziano noted that "no one is surprised," as it "felt like this situation was pointing this way all week."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Vrabel was believed to be the "overwhelming favorite" for New England.

The 49-year-old finished with a 54-45 record in six years with the Titans. They made the playoffs in three separate seasons during his tenure, including an AFC Championship Game appearance during the team's 2019 campaign.

Prior to his coaching career, Vrabel spent 14 years in the NFL as a linebacker. The majority of his playing days occurred with the Patriots, suiting up for New England from 2001-08.

After the team parted ways with legendary head coach Bill Belichick at the end of the 2023 season, Mayo was chosen as his replacement. The Patriots finished at 4-13 in 2024 before he was ultimately fired on Jan. 5.

On the same day Mayo was let go, The Athletic's Chad Graff and RJ Kraft reported that New England planned to pursue Vrabel.

Mayo's seemingly short leash appears to have been affected by the availability of the former Titans coach following his stint with Tennessee. ESPN's Mike Reiss revealed that the Patriots' intentions to keep Mayo as Belichick's successor took a hit when "some within the team" wondered if the plans should be "shelved in favor of Vrabel."

Vrabel is still an experienced coach that can help New England as it looks to build a defense that compliments 22-year-old quarterback Drake Maye, but the rest of the NFL landscape wasn't stunned by the hiring.