The Patriots appear to be close to acquiring Mike Vrabel.
According to the Boston GlobeThe Patriots have entered into contract negotiations with Vrabel, who is considered the top candidate to fill the head coaching vacancy.
This comes after NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Vrabel's agent and the Patriots had negotiated a contract.
Ian Rapoport added Vrabel: is the “overwhelming favorite” of the job..
Boston Sports Journal confirmed NFL Network's reportadded, “Money is important.”
The former Titans head coach interviewed with New England on Thursday and quickly emerged as the favorite.
The Patriots also met with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday, after Buccaneers and Texans offensive coordinators Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton met with the teams on Tuesday.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn declined an interview request.
Vrabel has emerged as one of the hottest coaching candidates this offseason, having previously interviewed with the Jets and Bears after both teams fired their respective coaches midway through last season.
Vrabel most recently joined the Browns' staff as a coaching and personnel consultant after not being offered the head coaching job for the 2024 season.
Prior to his six years as head coach at Tennessee, Vrabel served as linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for three years with the Texans.
Vrabel has extensive experience in New England as a player, with the former linebacker spending eight seasons with the Patriots.
During his time in New England, Vrabel won three Super Bowls and was named an All-Pro in 2007.
He will be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2023.
If the two sides reach an agreement, Vrabel will replace Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, who is retiring after going 4-13 in his first year with the team.
Mayo was fired on January 5, less than two hours after New England's final game of the season.
