BOSTON — The New England Patriots appear to be progressing in their search for a new head coach, having interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday. This marks the fourth candidate considered to fill the position left vacant after Jerod Mayo’s dismissal.
The Patriots have already spoken with three other candidates: Byron Leftwich, who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Pep Hamilton, a former offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans; and Mike Vrabel, who was recently the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Johnson’s interview took place virtually, as the Lions prepare for the playoffs as the top seed in the NFC. In contrast, the first three interviews were conducted face-to-face, with Vrabel meeting team representatives on Thursday.
As the Lions’ offensive coordinator since 2022, Johnson has demonstrated his prowess, spending seven years with the Miami Dolphins prior to that in various capacities. Under his guidance, Detroit led the NFL in touchdown scoring this season and consistently ranked among the top five teams in scoring over the previous three seasons.
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowl titles during his eight seasons as a player in New England, has become a fan favorite. He was inducted into the Patriots’ Hall of Fame in 2023 and is the only candidate with head coaching experience.
In comments regarding the coaching position, team owner Robert Kraft stressed the importance of finding someone who can connect with players while also managing a knowledgeable staff capable of in-game adjustments and strategic implementation. “You need someone who players can relate to and respond to, but they need to have a team around them that has product knowledge,” he stated.
Vrabel is seen as a frontrunner, largely due to his connection to the Patriots’ history and his successful coaching tenure in Tennessee, where he held a 56-48 overall record from 2018 to 2023. His coaching accomplishments include a 2-3 playoff record and leading the Titans to the AFC Championship Game in 2019, following three consecutive postseason appearances.
This past season, Vrabel also served as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns before his contract expired, allowing him to explore opportunities with other franchises, including an interview with the New York Jets.
Leftwich and Hamilton may be regarded as underdogs in this coaching search, but they do have notable credentials. Leftwich was the offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers during their Super Bowl victory with quarterback Tom Brady at the helm in 2020. Meanwhile, Hamilton previously coordinated Colts squads that ranked in the NFL’s top 15 for scoring during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
