NFL exec poll tabs Mike Vrabel as best coaching hire this offseason
"His personality fits the northeast, where they’re going to run the ball and play good defense."
The Patriots were the first team to make a move on the NFL coaching carousel this offseason when they hired Mike Vrabel on Jan. 12.
And according to several NFL executives and coaches, it was the best hiring decision among the seven teams with head-coaching vacancies this spring.
The Athletic recently polled 10 NFL personnel executives and coaches and asked them to assess the seven coaching hirings so far this offseason — with Vrabel’s hiring earning nine of the 10 first-place votes to go along with one third-place vote.
The only other hire to earn a first-place vote were the Bears and the addition of first-year head coach Ben Johnson, whose stock soared in recent years as the offensive coordinator of the Lions.
“(Vrabel has been a) successful head coach with bona fide leadership ability, which is underrated with the personalities in today’s game,” one anonymous executive told The Athletic. “He’s really organized situationally within the game. His personality fits the northeast, where they’re going to run the ball and play good defense. And he has a quarterback.”
Here are the final results from the coaching poll:
- Mike Vrabel, Patriots
- Ben Johnson, Bears
- Pete Carroll, Raiders
- Aaron Glenn, Jets
- Kellen Moore, Saints
- Liam Coen, Jaguars
- Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys
Even though the Patriots have several flaws on their roster, Vrabel and a revamped coaching staff should bring some stability and discipline to a New England team that struggled to find any semblance of consistency during the 2024 season.
“I do think he’s going to restore some order and business,’ former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said of Vrabel last week on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand”. “He’s going to get the train back rolling. I think it’s gonna start with holding each other accountable, loving the game of football, unselfishness, being disciplined and just being a tough, smart football player.
“He will demand respect. You’re not looking at him as a first-time head coach. When he was a first-time coach, he took the Titans to the AFC Championship Game. You can’t play that with him, and I think these players understand that. The level of respect off the rip is different with Mike, and rightfully so.
“I’m excited about it. I’m happy Mike is there. That doesn’t have anything to do with how I feel how things went with Jerod; that’s totally different. Mike is the greatest choice, I love that we got him because I know he can get us back to the promised land.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com