The Patriots are scheduled to interview former linebacker Mike Vrabel for their head coaching job on Thursday, NFL Media first reported.
Vrabel, who spent 2018 to 2023 as the Titans' head coach, is one of the top candidates in this hiring cycle and an option the Patriots were expected to pursue since firing Jerod Mayo on Sunday.
The Patriots Hall of Famer compiled a 54-45 record as the Titans' head coach before getting fired following a 6-11 2023 campaign. He spent the 2024 season as a coaching and personnel consultant with the Browns before getting let out of his contract on Dec. 30 to pursue head coaching opportunities.
Vrabel has also interviewed with the Jets and Bears for their head coach vacancies. Executives around the league ultimately expect Vrabel will land with the Patriots, though Robert Kraft said Monday that his team will interview multiple candidates for the job. They must comply with the Rooney Rule by interviewing at least two minority candidates in person before completing their head coaching search.
Kraft was asked if Vrabel is at or near the top of his list of candidates.
"Before I make a comment like that, I don't know all the people involved, and there are some wonderful people that we've heard about," Kraft said. "So, I'd rather respond to that after I've seen everyone."
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith will also be part of the hiring process, along with team president Jonathan Kraft.
Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, winning three Super Bowls with the organization. He finished his Patriots career with 606 tackles, 48 sacks, 55 tackles for loss, 13 forced fumbles and 12 receiving touchdowns on 12 catches before being traded to the Chiefs.
"I don't want you to take this organization for granted," Vrabel told Patriots fans in a half time hall of fame ceremony last season. "I've been a lot of places. This is a special place with great leadership, great fans, great direction, and great coaching. Enjoy it. It's not like this everywhere."
The Patriots elected to keep their succession plan in place and hire Mayo as their next head coach last offseason. With Vrabel still available, the Patriots might not want to let him go again.
Vrabel, like Mayo, is a former Patriots defender, but he comes with considerable experience and the ability to assemble an impressive staff of assistants. Prior to his time in Tennessee, Vrabel spent three seasons at his alma mater as an assistant with Ohio State, 2014 through 2016 as the Texans' linebackers coach and 2017 as their defensive coordinator.
The Patriots also requested an interview with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. They have one of the most appealing jobs on the market with Drake Maye at quarterback, the No. 4 overall pick, $130 million in salary cap space and steady ownership in the Krafts.
The Jaguars and Saints also have head coaching jobs available.