NFL insider reveals why Mike Vrabel rejected advances from Tom Brady's Raiders

The first domino has officially fallen in the 2025 coaching carousel. One week after the New England Patriots fired Jerod Mayo, they announced the decision to hire Mike Vrabel as his replacement, making him the 16th head coach in franchise history.

Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans parted ways at the end of last season. He spent the 2024 season as a personnel consultant with the Cleveland Browns. Since his contract ended in Week 18, the Patriots moved quickly to name him as their next head coach.

For a while there, it looked like Vrabel would land with the Las Vegas Raiders, who have his former teammate Tom Brady leading their search for a new head coach. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that Vrabel did have a conversation with the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

“The most rumored landing spot for Mike Vrabel for months was with the Las Vegas Raiders considering they have his old friend and teammate Tom Brady there as the minority owner, running the current head coaching search," Pelissero reported.

"My understanding is the Raiders never requested an interview or tried to bring Mike Vrabel in because Vrabel essentially told Tom Brady I’m going to end up going to New England. Other teams were aware that was the likely landing spot for Mike Vrabel for quite some time.”

Vrabel spent six seasons coaching the Tennessee Titans, leaving the franchise with a 54-45 record. Under Vrabel's care, the Titans made the playoffs three times. He was also named Coach of the Year in 2021.

---

Where Patriots' Mike Vrabel hire leaves Tom Brady's Raiders

There's clearly no shortage of candidates for Tom Brady to pivot to with Vrabel landing in Foxboro. Brady, who owns 5% of the franchise, is seemingly taking a hands-on approach by leading the search for a new head coach.

Perhaps the biggest name linked with the Raiders is Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders. Per Raiders insider Vincent Bonsignore, Sanders is "very interested" in coaching the franchise.

Another name who has been strongly linked with the team is Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is also being eyed by the Chicago Bears. The Raiders are also set to interview former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC Liam Coen.