The New England Patriots made a logical decision.
Then again, that didn’t make it any less surprising.
Despite all the rumors about Robert Kraft being ready to give Jerod Mayo another chance, they let him go shortly after the regular-season finale.
Unsurprisingly, that may have happened because the Patriots already had a candidate waiting in line.
According to a report by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Mike Vrabel is the candidate.
The name Mike Vrabel very quickly comes to the forefront. https://t.co/kile8GPj7j
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2025
Truth be told, that seems like a match made in heaven.
Vrabel has a past with the organization.
He’s reportedly looking for a situation with good ownership, a franchise quarterback, a path to get one, or a prospect to build around.
The Patriots check all of those boxes.
He would also restore the hard-nosed defensive identity of the Bill Belichick era, which Mayo failed to do.
Vrabel is a culture-builder who’s going to hold everybody accountable.
However, unlike Mayo, he will also be accountable and not dismiss his players or assistant coaches.
Leading by example and relating to the players are two crucial aspects of coaching, and Vrabel can do so in Foxboro.
Of course, they must also be very aggressive in pursuing Vrabel.
They’re not the only team looking to hire him.
However, if they fired Mayo so promptly, they might have already talked to Vrabel and loved their chances of getting him.
NEXT: Rob Gronkowski Reacts To Patriots Firing Jerod Mayo
