Everything we know about the search for a new head coach for the New England Patriots

With several interviews already finished and more planned during the next few days, the New England Patriots are acting quickly to replace their head coaching position. Mike Vrabel, who will return to Foxboro this week, is still the front-runner to get the job.

The Patriots fired Jerod Mayo on Sunday after his only season as head coach ended with a 4-13 record, meaning they will have a new coach for the third consecutive season in 2025. The Patriots’ management and Robert Kraft are currently searching for a new leader to take over and bring order back to New England.

On Thursday, Mike Vrabel will interview with the Patriots.
Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion and player inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, is the front-runner to succeed him in Foxboro. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports that he will have his official interview with New England on Thursday.

From 2018 to 2023, Vrabel led the Tennessee Titans to three postseason trips and a 54-45 record over his six years as head coach. Among those was a 2019 run to the AFC Championship Game.

Vrabel recently shared his goals for his next opportunity with The Athletic:

In order for us coaches to know what is expected of us, there must be open communication with ownership,” Vrabel stated. That’s so we can tell them what’s realistic, what we can do, what we’re likely to be able to do, and what we’re going to try—or die trying. From an X’s and O’s perspective, from a personnel aspect, and with team-building, I want to have a system in place that allows others to view the game in the same manner that I do. Ideally, we would have that alignment, which is essential.

“And I would like to be able to say that there’s a quarterback that you feel like you can win with — or that there’s a path to find the one that you can win with.”

Drake Maye offers a lot of promise at quarterback, and Vrabel has an excellent relationship with Kraft, so that should take care of the ownership issue. Eliot Wolf is still in charge of the Foxboro front office, but if he and Vrabel or the future head coach have different ideas, that may change.

Vrabel is a popular man this offseason, but the Patriots are after him. He will speak with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday after doing an interview with the New York Jets last week. If the Patriots let Vrabel to leave the building on Thursday, the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders (and minority owner Tom Brady) may also be involved.

The Patriots have asked to speak with Ben Johnson.
This offseason, New England has also asked Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the second top head coach contender, to interview. Johnson is able to conduct virtual interviews with clubs during the Lions’ postseason bye week.

Although he has a window of Thursday through Saturday to speak with teams, Detroit has not yet set up a meeting with the Patriots. That is probably going to change very soon.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Johnson has also been asked to speak with the Bears and will speak with both Chicago and New England. The Patriots should definitely ask Johnson about his plans for the team, even if they decide not to hire him.

The Patriots have conducted interviews with Pep Hamilton and Byron Leftwich.

On Tuesday, the Patriots had interviews with Pep Hamiton and Byron Leftwich. Despite not playing in the NFL since 2022, both possess an offensive mindset.

From 2019 until 2022, Leftwich was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. In 2020, he and Brady won a Super Bowl with the Bucs.

Hamilton has a long NFL and collegiate career and was the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans in 2022. Prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, he also worked with Joe Milton, the quarterback for the Patriots.

Although both applicants have little chance of getting the job, they might be hired for distinct roles. The Patriots have complied with the 2003-adopted Rooney Rule, which mandates that teams interview a minimum of two external minority applicants, by speaking with Leftwich and Hamilton.

Anyone can now be hired by the Patriots at any time.

The Patriots position would pique Brian Flores’ curiosity.
Brian Flores, the former coach of the Patriots, stated on Tuesday that he would welcome the opportunity to return to New England while preparing for the playoffs as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. The Patriots haven’t contacted them yet, though.

“That’s where my football experience began, when I talk about it. “Yes,” Flores responded on Tuesday. However, I have no control over whether or not they wish to speak with me or anything else of that sort. That’s my opinion on the matter.

After serving with the Patriots from 2008 to 2020, Flores spent three seasons as the Miami Dolphins’ head coach. Teams won’t be able to interview Flores until at least next week because the Vikings are playing in the Wild Card round on Monday night.

For the Patriots, who is doing the interviews?
Kraft stated that he, Jonathan Kraft (President of the Kraft Group), Eliot Wolf, the vice president of player personnel, and senior personnel executive Antonio Highsmith will conduct the interviews in relation to Mayo’s dismissal on Monday.