Mike Vrabel

Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as head coach.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was first to report the hiring, although it’s worth noting FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported on Saturday night that “barring something unforeseen,” the Patriots were expected to hire Vrabel. It’s now nearly official, as the former Titans head coach will soon put pen to paper to become the second head coach of the Patriots in the post Bill Belichick era. The Patriots blew through their interview process, and wasted little time to reach the decision to hire the coach who spent eight years as a player with the team from 2001-2008. Vrabel boasts a 54-45 record as a head coach during his six years with the Titans, and is now set to takeover for a team that appears to already have its franchise quarterback intact with Drake Maye. Couple this with nearly $130 million in cap space to play with, and there’s a suddenly a strong case to be made for the Patriots as a bounce back team next season.