NFL Rumors: Patriots Schedule Interview With Mike Vrabel

The Patriots reportedly are set to meet with a candidate who is viewed as the favorite for their head-coaching vacancy.

According to MassLive’s Mark Daniels on Tuesday, New England will interview Mike Vrabel for its vacant head coaching position this week. Vrabel is the popular choice to land the gig, according to multiple reports.

Vrabel also reportedly will interview with the Chicago Bears this week. The New Orleans Saints requested an interview with the former Tennesee Titans head coach after he interviewed with the New York Jets, which might have been a message to the Patriots.

New England is expected to conduct a “wide-ranging search” for its next head coach in a list that includes Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The Patriots also reportedly scheduled an interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who’s received interest from multiple other teams.

Robert Kraft balked when asked about New England’s interest in Vrabel, but he’ll get a chance to sit down with him to assess whether or not the Patriots Hall of Famer is the right man to steer the franchise in the right direction.