The Patriots were the first team to make a move on the NFL coaching carousel this offseason when they hired Mike Vrabel on Jan. 12.
And according to several NFL executives and coaches, it was the best hiring decision among the seven teams with head-coaching vacancies this spring.
The Athletic recently polled 10 NFL personnel executives and coaches and asked them to assess the seven coaching hirings so far this offseason — with Vrabel’s hiring earning nine of the 10 first-place votes to go along with one third-place vote.
The only other hire to earn a first-place vote were the Bears and the addition of first-year head coach Ben Johnson, whose stock soared in recent years as the offensive coordinator of the Lions.