The New England Patriots hired Mike Vrabel to serve as the team's head coach on Sunday.
According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, however, the team had interest in him as a candidate last offseason as well:
"The possibility of Vrabel becoming the Patriots' coach traces back to last year. New England had language in Jerod Mayo's contract to become Belichick's successor, but team sources said Vrabel's unexpected availability in Jan. 2024 after being fired by the Titans made some within the team wonder whether those plans should be shelved in favor of Vrabel. They ultimately were convinced enough in Mayo to stick with the original plan.