In a move that was widely expected across the NFL, the New England Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel as head coach a week after firing Jerod Mayo. Vrabel’s previous coaching experience – in which he went 54-45 in six seasons with the Tennessee Titans and also posted a 2-3 record in the playoffs – was attractive to the Patriots, as was owner Robert Kraft’s experience with Vrabel from his time as a playing career as a linebacker in New England (2001-08).

This is the fourth head coach Kraft has hired since purchasing the team in 1994, the others being Pete Carroll (1997-99), Bill Belichick (2000-23) and Mayo (2024).

Taking a closer look, ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss answers four key questions about Vrabel’s hiring, including what’s next. National reporter Dan Graziano breaks down what he heard about the recruitment and draft analyst Matt Miller brings it back to the draft. Finally, analyst Ben Solak assesses the hiring.

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What makes Vrabel the right signing for the Patriots?

Vrabel has proven he can build a winning culture, adding value to the franchise, after Kraft misjudged that Mayo, 38, was ready for the job after five years as an assistant coach.

Vrabel, 49, will provide order and structure as well as a mastery of game management based in part on what he learned as a player from Belichick. Belichick often remarked that Vrabel was one of the smartest players he had ever coached. Additionally, the Patriots need a commanding leader to unify all aspects of their football operations, something that has eluded them in recent years.

Kraft had a front-row seat to Vrabel’s leadership during his playing career and as an opposing coach who had success against New England. It doesn’t hurt that Vrabel is a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame who spoke glowingly about the organization at his team induction. — Reiss

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Did the Patriots have Vrabel in their sights from the start?

The possibility of Vrabel becoming coach of the Patriots dates back to last year. New England had specifically stated in Mayo’s contract that he would be Belichick’s successor, but team sources said Vrabel’s unexpected availability in January 2024 after he was fired by the Titans led some within the team to question whether these plans should be shelved in favor of Vrabel. Ultimately they were condemned enough in Mayo to stick with the original plan. That Vrabel remained available in 2025 and interviewed with AFC East rival New York Jets adds an additional layer of context to the decision. — Reiss

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What impact does this have on quarterback Drake Maye?

One of the most important questions is what Vrabel’s vision for the offense is and who he wants to bring in as offensive coordinator.

Therefore, Maye will likely play in a different system than the one that coordinator Alex Van Pelt implemented in his rookie season, and he will also have new coaching positions. This is significant as many praised Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach TC McCartney Mayes’ development and improvement in his footwork after he played in just 26 games in college.

Maye got a taste of some of the NFL’s different offensive systems in the pre-draft process as he met with various teams, noting that some have a higher level of difficulty than others in terms of the responsibility given to the quarterback. — Reiss

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What should the Patriots do next?

Hire a general manager who shares Vrabel’s vision so that it is embedded throughout all departments of the organization, such as Ryan Cowden, who was a top adviser in his final years in Tennessee. The Patriots have never had a general manager during Kraft’s 31-year tenure, preferring instead an executive vice president of player personnel alongside the head coach as the top two employees on the masthead.

This may be the right time to change that approach, as organizations like the Patriots have grown exponentially since the 1990s and a GM-style hire to complement the head coach has never been more important. — Reiss

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What are you hearing around the league about hiring?

Nobody is surprised. It felt like the situation was headed that way all week, with the team’s interest in Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson the only thing giving anyone pause. But Vrabel conducted the interview in person and not over Zoom, and of course the previous relationship with the organization was an important factor.

Many people I talk to have rolled their eyes a little at the attitude. 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 conducted a hasty search. Vrabel is an excellent coach and probably the right hire, but it seems like the Patriots could have benefited from looking at a broader range of prospects before settling on the obvious candidate. — Graziano

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How can Vrabel improve this squad with the No. 4 pick?

The Patriots’ decision should be about improving the entire team and not solely focus on offense or defense. There will be pressure from outside voices to develop an outstanding young quarterback in Maye, and improving the offensive line and wide receiver corps must be an offseason focus. But with #4 it doesn’t have to happen. Bad teams stay bad if they reach for needs in Round 1.

Instead, the best player available approach might be the best choice for a team that has lost 13 games and has holes all over the roster. That puts players like Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter on the board. He is my best overall player in this class and would be a perfect addition to a defense that already has bright spots in Christian Gonzalez and Keion White. Every position outside of quarterback should be in play for New England, but my pick would be Carter if the QB-needy teams in the first three picks leave him on the board for New England. –Miller

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How would you rate this setting?

B+. There is no doubt that Vrabel is a solid head coach. His strong defense and the overall strength of his squad during his time at Tennessee is a testament to that. There are also rosy feelings about his return to New England, as he was a successful player there and knows how to emulate Belichick’s system (while adding his own touch from his time away from the core). I have questions about how Vrabel will staff his offensive staff and whether he will be able to work with the team’s personnel managers, but his hiring significantly increases the odds for a Patriots team looking to get back into contention. — Solak