By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-13 05:41:29 | Updated at 2025-01-13 07:57:02
2 hours ago
Newly-appointed New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reportedly sent a warning to Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady amid the NFL's coaching carousel.
Vrabel reached an agreement with the Patriots to fill their head coaching vacancy Sunday after owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo at the end of the regular season following just one year in charge.
Vrabel was among the NFL's most coveted figures heading into 2025, with the Jets and Raiders among the teams linked with the 49-year-old.
Las Vegas in particular had been rumored to be a landing spot for Vrabel with former teammate Brady involved in the Raiders' hunt for a new head coach.
However, it appears Vrabel told Brady, Mark Davis and co. to not even bother interviewing him.
'The most-rumored landing spot for Mike Vrabel for months was with the Las Vegas Raiders considering that they have his old friend and teammate Tom Brady now there as the minority owner and, in fact, running their current head coaching search,' insider Tom Pelissero said on the NFL Network.
Tom Brady (right) was sent a message by New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (left)
Vrabel spent eight seasons as a player with the Patriots as the quarterback's teammate
'My understanding is the Raiders never requested an interview or tried to bring Mike Vrabel in because Vrabel essentially told Tom Brady, "I'm going to end up going back to New England."'
As first reported by ESPN , the Patriots and Vrabel have now agreed a multi-year deal which will see the former linebacker take charge in New England.
Vrabel spent eight seasons as a player with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowl crowns as part of the dynasty led by Bill Belichick and Brady.
Back in 2023, he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame and now he returns to New England tasked with building another Super Bowl winning team.
Vrabel also spent time with the Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs before turning his hand to coaching.
The 49-year-old, a native of Ohio, worked with Ohio State as linebackers and defensive line coach before joining the Texans as linebackers coach and defensive coordinator.
His first chance to be a head coach came in 2018 when he was appointed by the Tennessee Titans.
Vrabel led the Titans for six seasons until he was fired in January 2024. His most recent role was as a consultant to the Cleveland Browns.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft was in the market for a new coach after firing Jerod Mayo
Meanwhile, the Raiders' search for a new head coach continues after firing Antonio Pierce Tuesday following the embattled franchise's 4-13 finish to the season.
The Raiders have already interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. They have set interviews with former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and ex-New York Jets coach Robert Saleh next week.
And Brady, who is part of the interview process, is said to be targeting Johnson as his favorite for the role.
Brady is personally involved in recruiting the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator with the seven-time Super Bowl winner 'enamored' by him, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.
Brady, a minority owner for the Raiders, has also spent time with Johnson's agent, Rapoport said.
Johnson has interest from multiple teams across the NFL - on Saturday, he interviewed with the Chicago Bears for their vacant head coach position.
