Patriots Rumors: Mike Vrabel Hire Could Lead To Other Reunion

If the Patriots hire Mike Vrabel, another New England homecoming could quickly follow.

Vrabel reportedly is the “heavy favorite” to replace Jerod Mayo, who was fired immediately after the Patriots’ 2024 season finale. If hired, Vrabel’s first order of business very well could be bringing on a new slate of assistants, as all New England coaches deserve to have their employment evaluated after such a disastrous campaign.

And if Vrabel is granted that power, there reportedly is a chance he will reunite with a former Patriots colleague.

“One note on Vrabel: There is buzz in some coaching circles that Josh McDaniels could be a prime candidate to be Vrabel’s offensive coordinator,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote in a column published Thursday. “That would be quite the nostalgia tandem, and though McDaniels is a two-time failed head coach, no one disputes his coordinator chops. It would be good for (Drake) Maye, but so would having (Ben) Johnson as the head coach.”

One has to imagine Robert Kraft would be open to bringing back McDaniels, who coached in Foxboro, Mass., for nearly two decades before taking his talents to Las Vegas. Kraft seems to prefer candidates with preexisting ties to the franchise, highlighted by the Mayo succession plan and New England’s reported fixation on Vrabel.

That said, Fowler’s report indicates a McDaniels return only will be on the table if Vrabel is hired. And while the former linebacker appears to be the clear frontrunner for the role, the Patriots should seriously consider other candidates before making an offer.