When Aaron Glenn declined the New England Patriots’ request for a virtual interview, the team’s head coaching search narrowed to just four candidates.
However, all signs suggest that the decision is likely to come down to two prominent names: Mike Vrabel and Ben Johnson.
Both Vrabel and Johnson are among the most sought-after candidates in this hiring cycle, making them logical targets for the Patriots. Their potential hiring would not be surprising given their strong reputations.
Mike Vrabel: A three-time Super Bowl champion and member of the Patriots Hall of Fame, Vrabel played 142 games for New England over eight seasons. He has since built an impressive coaching career, highlighted by six seasons as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Ben Johnson: As one of the league’s most innovative and effective offensive coordinators, Johnson has played a pivotal role in transforming the Detroit Lions into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
From an outside perspective, the Patriots’ decision, expected to be made swiftly, seems to hinge on these two candidates. While Vrabel is seen as the current frontrunner, the final choice remains uncertain.
What About the Other Candidates?
Pep Hamilton and Byron Leftwich also interviewed for the position. Both have had successful coaching careers, but neither has been with an NFL team since the 2022 season. Their inclusion in the interview process appears to have been driven by the need to satisfy the Rooney Rule, which mandates two in-person interviews with minority candidates. While such requirements can lead to accusations of “token interviews,” this characterization may oversimplify the situation.
Although Hamilton or Leftwich could still be hired in another capacity, their chances of becoming the Patriots’ next head coach are slim. Aaron Glenn’s potential candidacy might have been viewed similarly, which could explain why he opted not to interview.
A Clear Focus
With Glenn out of the picture, the Patriots’ search appears to center on a straightforward scenario: it’s now a race between Mike Vrabel and Ben Johnson.
