Even current NFL head coaches reportedly would have wanted Patriots job
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini joined the Scoop City podcast, and said that prior to Mike Vrabel being hired, the New England Patriots’ head coaching position was ranked by some NFL coaches as the No. 1 available job in 2025 “[and it] wasn’t even close.” That suggests that the Patriots could have selected any number of available coaches, because their organizational situation is viewed as so desirable.
The Patriots ultimately hired Vrabel, and some questioned how expansive of a coaching search they conducted as Vrabel had been linked to New England for years and the search concluded very quickly — Vrabel was hired just seven days after former head coach Jerod Mayo was fired in New England. Moreover, Russini said that even “coaches who have jobs,” told her, “‘I want the Patriots job.'”
It begs the question: Which NFL coach potentially would have preferred the Patriots gig over their current situation?
Although it will likely forever remain unknown, one could speculate that the obvious name who may have coveted the Patriots position is current New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who has had two coaching stints in New England — beginning his career with the Patriots from 2000-2006 and returning with the team from 2013-2016. Furthermore, Daboll was a logical candidate to fill a coordinator position in New England if he were fired from New York.
Nonetheless, one may never know who was truly available to the Patriots, but one may certainly question if the Patriots did a thorough job at interviewing all potentially coaching candidates, or if they just went with the ‘easiest option’ in Vrabel — like some have suggested they did.
Luke Graham is a digital sports content co-op for 98.5 the Sports Hub. He is currently a sophomore communications student at Northeastern University. Follow him on X @LukeGraham05.
