The Patriots formally handed the keys to their new head coach on Sunday, however the work doesn’t cease there.
Mike Vrabel has a workers to construct.
Vrabel’s major focus can be discovering the best folks on the offensive aspect of the soccer, as the event of second-year quarterback Drake Maye is paramount to the group’s total success. New England’s defensive workers can’t afford to go untouched, although, as all the unit wants a whole overhaul. It’ll all begin with hiring the best defensive coordinator, with these six names doubtless being concerned within the search.
Terrell Williams
Williams has carved out fairly the profession for himself, parlaying longtime success as a defensive position coach into assistant head coach and operating recreation coordinator duties during the last two seasons with the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions, respectively.
Vrabel and Williams labored alongside each other for six seasons, so maybe that might result in the following evolution within the latter’s profession. Lions head coach Dan Campbell won’t let him go away, nevertheless, as he’s a main candidate to exchange present defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn ought to he land a head teaching gig. New England or Detroit? Williams may very well be in for a tricky determination.
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Lou Anarumo
Anarumo’s dismissal after six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals was pretty complicated, because it seems he was the scapegoat for some actually horrible roster choices during the last couple of years. Cincy’s determination doesn’t look nice on the floor degree, both, because the 58-year-old was instantly floated as a possible choice for a number of different coordinator openings across the NFL. The Patriots would possibly wish to get in on that.
Patrick Graham
Graham is among the many most certified candidates on our checklist, having hung out teaching each linebackers and defensive linemen down at One Patriot Place, earlier than shifting on to carry play-calling duties with the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders.
Graham isn’t removed from touchdown his first head teaching job — or shouldn’t be, anyway — however that doesn’t imply it isn’t value giving him a glance. May he return to New England to take that ultimate leap?
Ephraim Banda
Banda won’t have the expertise to warrant such a high-profile job, however he’s completely adored round league circles. Vrabel labored with him final season, so maybe he’s a type of impressed with the 43-year-old.
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5 Offensive Coordinator Candidates For Mike Vrabel, Patriots
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Bobby King
King will get one of the best out of his gamers, doing so throughout three totally different stops during the last eight seasons.
Jonathan Greenard (Houston Texans; 2021), Azeez Al-Shaair (Tennessee Titans; 2022) and Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles; 2024) all reached career-best marks below his steerage, so why not see if he can do one thing comparable with a whole unit? Vrabel employed him for one season in Tennessee and labored alongside him in Houston, so maybe there’s an opportunity the duo reunites for a 3rd stint collectively.
Jim Schwartz
Schwartz is a family identify for many followers, however particularly these of the Patriots. The Eagles’ victory in Tremendous Bowl LII was a results of his ultra-aggressive protection, which has been sufficient to maintain him among the many most coveted defensive coaches in all the NFL.
Vrabel has labored alongside the 58-year-old, too, using him for 2 seasons in Tennessee earlier than reuniting final season in Cleveland. May we see a 3rd tour of responsibility collectively in New England?
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