Top NFL Insider Weighs In On Mike Vrabel-Patriots Speculation

Jerod Mayo is not exactly off to a great start in his first year as head coach of the New England Patriots.

From the decision to continually start Jacoby Brissett under center for the first five weeks of the season to questionable play-calling and backpedaling comments about the team and coaching staff, Mayo has been in the hot seat pretty much since he was named Bill Belichick’s successor in January.

After the Patriots’ fourth straight loss against the Arizona Cardinals, questions regarding Mayo’s status with the team ramped up. NFL insiders began speculating whether Mike Vrabel would be the ideal candidate to replace Mayo should New England decide to part ways with the first-year coach.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes that if Robert and Jonathan Kraft were to make a change, it would be a logical decision for the Patriots.

“I think the Krafts have been very clear that they have not been planning a change. They don’t want to make a change. They’re not looking to make a change,” Schefter said Wednesday on “The Afternoon Show” on WEEI. “So, it’s moot with Mike Vrabel and New England right now … unless it’s not. But, to me, New England would have to fall apart down the stretch. Have more poor showings like the one it did on Sunday, and there would have to be a change in the thinking of ownership to even introduce that being a factor.”

Fall apart down the stretch? There are only three games remaining in the season, and two of them are against MVP favorite Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills.

Barring a play-calling miracle or a complete meltdown by the Bills and Los Angeles Chargers, it’s pretty safe to say the Patriots will not end the season on a high note. But, will it be enough to trigger a second coaching change in as many years?

Schefter added that he anticipates Vrabel and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be the leading candidates for any available coaching positions in the offseason.