Patriots have had contract discussions with Mike Vrabel’s agent

The Patriots might be nearing the goal line in their head coach search.

Mike Vrabel’s agent has had contract talks with the Patriots, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported Saturday. With contract talks underway, Vrabel is the “overwhelming favorite” to become the Patriots’ next head coach, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. Additionally, Rapoport noted he hasn’t spoken to anybody who thinks the Patriots will hire anyone other than Vrabel.

The news of the Patriots having contract discussions with Vrabel’s agent came two days after the team officially met with the former Titans coach for the first time. The Patriots interviewed Vrabel at an unspecified location in Boston on Thursday, the team announced.

As New England appears to be taking the next steps in its coaching search, the Patriots are seemingly closer to replacing Jerod Mayo. The team is looking to make a “quick resolution,” and a decision could come as soon as this weekend, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini reported.

Robert Kraft also indicated that he wanted the search to be done quickly when he spoke with reporters Monday. He said the team plans to “move fast,” but didn’t offer a specific timeline on when hiring could be made.

The Patriots fulfilled their Rooney Rule requirement earlier in the week when they interviewed former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and former Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton. So, the team can officially hire Vrabel at any point.

New England also interviewed Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday. That interview reportedly went “great.” However, with the Lions’ 2024 season still ongoing, the Patriots can’t officially hire him yet.

Still, Vrabel seems to be the overwhelming favorite to get the job. The former Patriots standout and team Hall of Famer enjoyed a good deal of success over his six seasons as Titans head coach. He went 54-45, leading Tennessee to the playoffs three times and helping it win the AFC South twice.

As Vrabel’s had prior success as a head coach, he’s arguably one of the top coaching candidates, if not the top candidate, on the market this offseason. Because of that, Vrabel could demand a salary that reflects that. The Boston Sports Journal‘s Mike Giardi noted that a $15 million salary could be the “floor” for what Vrabel earns in his next deal.

Vrabel has also interviewed with the Jets and Bears over their head coach vacancies and has been strongly linked to the Raiders’ vacancy. So, the Patriots might be a bit motivated in order to get a deal.