Vrabel Returns to Patriots as NFL Coach's Find New Teams

By: Sean Davis 1/13/25

Mike Vrabel has returned to the New England Patriots as their new head coach, marking the first major hire of the 2025 NFL coaching carousel.

The Patriots announced Vrabel as their 16th head coach in franchise history on Sunday. He replaces Jerod Mayo, who was fired after one 4-13 season. Vrabel played for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, winning three Super Bowls. He also was the Tennessee Titans head coach from 2018 to 2023, and was named AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2021.

The Patriots have $133 million in 2025 cap space, the most in the NFL.

Vrabel's hiring is seen as a return to the Patriots' culture of accountability, with owner Robert Kraft hoping to revitalize the franchise after recent struggles. Five other teams (Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Raiders, and Saints) are still searching for head coaches, and the Cowboys have an uncertain situation with Mike McCarthy's contract expiring on Wednesday.

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