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Shortly after Mike Vrabel officially became the Patriots’ new head coach, it was reported that the Las Vegas Raiders “never requested an interview or tried to bring Mike Vrabel in because he essentially told (Raiders minority owner) Tom Brady” he was going to accept the job in New England.
In a piece published Friday, Patriots insiders Karen Guregian, Mark Daniels and Chris Mason of MassLive discussed when team owner Robert Kraft seriously “began pondering” replacing first-year coach Jerod Mayo with Vrabel.
“Some in Vrabel’s circle knew a move to Foxborough was in play following New England’s ugly Week 15 [30-17 loss at the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 15],” the trio wrote. “From that moment on, staffers also noticed [that Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft] had less of a presence around the team.”
Before the Patriots fell to 3-11 on the season, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Robert Kraft had “privately assured those close to him that” he was committed to giving Mayo “the time and resources he needs to grow into the role.” Whispers about Kraft possibly parting ways with Mayo grew louder from December through January, and it became clear even before Week 18 that Kraft wanted Vrabel for the job.
Kraft was later accused of holding “sham” interviews with multiple individuals that put the Patriots in compliance with the Rooney Rule that requires a franchise to meet with at least two minority candidates before it hires a new head coach — Vrabel in this case.
Meanwhile, the MassLive story mentioned that New England starting quarterback and 2024 first-round draft pick Drake Maye “was very fond” of Mayo, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney but understood that “their departures are part of life in the NFL.” The piece also shared that Maye is “excited to work with” Vrabel and new OC Josh McDaniels.
“It’s early in the process,” the reporters added, “but Maye has been encouraged by ‘really good’ conversations with his new coaches.”
Multiple former Patriots players criticized Robert Kraft for dismissing Mayo after just one season. If Vrabel helps the franchise reclaim its former winning ways, this will likely be forgiven, but one wonders how those former players feel about Kraft mentally moving on from Mayo before Christmas 2024.