The Patriots already knew who their next head coach would be. Owner Robert Kraft had put into writing a succession plan that detailed how Jerod Mayo would take over. It meant the Patriots didn’t have to conduct a formal search the way the league requires with multiple interviews that follow the NFL’s Rooney Rule.

Multiple reports have now mentioned that former New England Patriots player and one-time Associated Press Coach of the Year Award winner Mike Vrabel would have at least some interest in returning to New England if Patriots owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft fire first-year head coach Jerod Mayo as soon as Sunday night.