The New England Patriots have appointed Mike Vrabel as their new head coach, sparking questions about how much influence he will have over personnel decisions. A recent front-office move might provide some insight.
On Monday, the Patriots hired Ryan Cowden, a senior advisor with the New York Giants, as reported by several outlets. Despite being under contract with the Giants, Cowden was permitted to leave and reunite with Vrabel.
Cowden previously worked in the Tennessee Titans’ player personnel department from 2016 to 2022, serving as vice president of player personnel during Vrabel’s tenure as head coach. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Cowden is expected to assume a similar role in New England and act as the second-in-command under general manager Eliot Wolf. During his introductory press conference, Vrabel mentioned his eagerness to collaborate with Wolf, whom Patriots owner Robert Kraft had assured would remain with the team even after Jerod Mayo’s departure. Wolf has been with the Patriots since 2020 and was promoted following Bill Belichick’s removal as the team’s de facto general manager.
The dynamic within the Patriots’ front office suggests a potential division of influence. Kraft appears to back Wolf as his personnel lead, while Vrabel now has Cowden as his trusted ally. While the arrangement could work harmoniously to rebuild a struggling roster, it also sets the stage for possible conflict.
