Editor’s notice: This story initially was revealed earlier than the NFC playoff recreation between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. It’s since been tweaked and up to date after Philadelphia’s win over Los Angeles.
Mike Vrabel doubtless had a detailed eye on the NFC playoff recreation at Lincoln Monetary Subject on Sunday, and never solely on those that stepped between the strains.
Vrabel, who was employed as New England’s head coach final week, reportedly has began interviewing potential assistant coaches. And there are a handful of Rams assistants who might make sense for Vrabel’s workers. Now that LA’s season is over, these in New England can have conversations with Sean McVay’s assistants.
Listed here are 4 names the Patriots might pursue:
Nick Caley, Rams cross recreation coordinator/tight ends coach
Chances are high Patriots followers heard Caley’s identify previously, particularly in latest weeks. Caley reportedly was introduced a decent contract provide from the Patriots final offseason when New England hoped he would function the offensive coordinator underneath then-head coach Jerod Mayo. Caley turned the provide down and opted for an additional season in McVay’s system. Good transfer. Now, Caley figures to once more be a candidate for the offensive coordinator place, this time underneath Vrabel. Caley’s eight seasons working for Invoice Belichick supplied him with loads of familiarity within the group.
Story continues under commercial
Mike LaFleur, Rams offensive coordinator
Why would LaFleur depart Los Angeles for a similar title in New England? Effectively, the identical title doesn’t imply the identical job. The 37-year-old LaFleur isn’t calling the performs for Matthew Stafford and firm. McVay is, and likelihood is LaFleur might want to enterprise elsewhere to realize that accountability. Vrabel employed Matt LaFleur, who was serving underneath McVay on the time, as his OC when he took over in Tennessee in 2018. Matt, Mike’s older brother, departed Vrabel’s workers after one season when he took the Inexperienced Bay Packers head teaching job. Maybe Vrabel goes with the 37-year-old LaFleur and follows an ironic and related path.
Dave Ragone, Rams quarterbacks coach
One other McVay disciple? Effectively, sort of. However Ragone was the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator (2021-2023) for 3 seasons underneath then-head coach Arthur Smith. Smith took over because the playing-calling head coach in Atlanta after a three-year run with Vrabel in Tennessee. Smith, at present the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, was regarded as a possible candidate if the Steelers moved on from head coach Mike Tomlin, but it surely doesn’t look like that would be the case. Ragone, who has greater than a decade of NFL teaching expertise, could be the subsequent smartest thing to Smith. He additionally labored underneath McVay in 2015 when he was Washington’s offensive high quality management coach.
John Streicher, Rams recreation administration coordinator
Streicher served as Vrabel’s right-hand man in Tennessee and is “anticipated to observe” Vrabel to New England, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Vrabel employed Streicher as assistant to the top coach earlier than Streicher was elevated to coordinator of soccer improvement and director of soccer administration previous to Vrabel’s firing. He served as McVay’s recreation administration coordinator in 2024. Reiss likened Streicher’s position in New England to the one Ernie Adams occupied amid Invoice Belichick’s Patriots tenure.
