Newly appointed New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reportedly sent a warning to Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady amid the NFL coaching carousel.
Vrabel reached an agreement with the Patriots to fill their head coaching vacancy on Sunday after owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo at the end of the regular season after just one year on the job.
Vrabel was among the most coveted figures in the NFL heading into 2025, with the Jets and Raiders among the teams linked to the 49-year-old.
Las Vegas in particular was rumored to be a landing spot for Vrabel with his former teammate Brady involved in the Raiders' search for a new head coach.
However, it appears that Vrabel told Brady, Mark Davis and company. I didn't even bother interviewing him.
“The most rumored landing spot for Mike Vrabel for months was with the Las Vegas Raiders, considering they now have his old friend and teammate Tom Brady as a minority owner and, in effect, directing their current head coaching search “said insider Tom. Pelissero said on NFL Network.
Tom Brady (right) received a message from New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (left)
Vrabel spent eight seasons as a Patriots quarterback's teammate.
“My understanding is that the Raiders never requested an interview or attempted to bring in Mike Vrabel because Vrabel essentially told Tom Brady, 'I'm going to end up going back to New England.'
As first reported by ESPN, the Patriots and Vrabel have now agreed to a multi-year deal that will see the former linebacker take over in New England.
Vrabel spent eight seasons as a Patriots player, winning three Super Bowl crowns as part of the dynasty led by Bill Belichick and Brady.
In 2023, he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame and now returns to New England with the task of building another Super Bowl-winning team.
Vrabel also spent time with the Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs before getting into coaching.
The 49-year-old Ohio native worked with Ohio State as a linebackers and defensive line coach before joining the Texans as linebackers coach and defensive coordinator.
His first opportunity to be a head coach came in 2018 when he was appointed by the Tennessee Titans.
Vrabel led the Titans for six seasons until he was fired in January 2024. His most recent position was as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft was looking for a new coach after firing Jerod Mayo.
Meanwhile, the Raiders' search for a new head coach continues after firing Antonio Pierce on Tuesday following the franchise's 4-13 season finish.
The Raiders have already interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. They have scheduled interviews with former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh next week.
And Brady, who is part of the interview process, is said to be pointing to Johnson as his favorite for the role.
Brady is personally involved in the recruiting of the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator and the seven-time Super Bowl winner is “in love” with him, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders, also spent time with Johnson's agent, Rapoport said.
Johnson has interest from several NFL teams: On Saturday, he interviewed with the Chicago Bears for their vacant head coaching position.