Ex-Patriots star Rob Gronkowski weighs in on Mike Vrabel as Robert Kraft's top HC candidate

Ex-Patriots star Rob Gronkowski weighs in on Mike Vrabel as Robert Kraft
Ex-Patriots star Rob Gronkowski weighs in on Mike Vrabel as Robert Kraft's top HC candidate (Image Sources: Getty)

Rob Gronkowski, Mike Vrabel, and Robert Kraft are all currently separated, but two of those three could reunite if the offseason goes a certain way. At least, that is what is rumored to be the case.

Addressing the possibility of Kraft signing on the dotted line with coach Vrabel on Thursday's edition of "Up and Adams," Gronkowski named two coaches he believed the Krafts would probably be happy with.

"Mr. Kraft has to think that there's something else out there that's better for the organization, or else he would have never fired coach Jerod Mayo. ... So Mister Kraft must feel like there's a better option... like a guy like Coach Mike Vrabel, who's a proven coach, who's been with the Tennessee Titans, and did a great job there," Gronkowski said (Timestamp: 0:27).

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According to the former NFL star, Kraft would be happy with an offensive or a defensive-minded coach, one of which would be a big departure after the Bill Belichick era and Mayo experiment.

"If they get one of those two guys, Mike Vrabel, or offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, I feel like the Krafts will be happy with one of those two, and then also the New England Patriots fans would be happy as well if they get one of those two," he added.

Exploring Robert Kraft's other options if he can't get Mike Vrabel

Vrabel at Cleveland Browns OTA Offseason Workouts (Image Source: Getty)
Vrabel at Cleveland Browns OTA Offseason Workouts (Image Source: Getty)

Mike Vrabel might be the team's biggest apparent hope. There is only one Vrabel to go around. If the New England Patriots do not get the coaching candidate at the top of their wishlist, they will need to pivot.

Two names that could materialize in the future are Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores and former Patriots coach Pete Carroll. Both have New England ties, like Vrabel, and both have a defensive background, like Belichick and Mayo. Additionally, unlike Mayo, they have been head coaches in the NFL before and successfully developed quarterbacks before.

Tua Tagovailoa has been a thorn in the side of the Patriots, although he missed the playoffs this season. Additionally, Carroll developed Russell Wilson, which is perhaps his greatest accomplishment.

Adding either candidate would give Kraft something familiar and a potential solution for getting the correct person to coach Drake Maye.

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Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
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