The New England Patriots are in contract negotiations with Mike Vrabel for their vacant head coaching job, a source told Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe.
Vrabel interviewed with the team Thursday.
New England entered the market for a new head coach after firing Jerod Mayo following a 4-13 campaign. Mayo was elevated to succeed legendary coach Bill Belichick but lasted only one season.
Taking the job would mark Vrabel's return to where he spent eight years of his playing career. The former linebacker played with the Patriots from 2001-2008, capturing three Super Bowls.
As a coach, Vrabel compiled a 54-45 record across six seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He was fired after the 2023 campaign and spent this past year as a personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns. The Titans made three playoff appearances under Vrabel, even reaching the AFC Championship Game in 2019.
Other candidates on the Patriots' radar have included Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, and ex-Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.
New England has missed the postseason in each of the last three seasons.
