Mike Vrabel Turns into ‘Virtually’ a Jet Till a Final-Second Patriots Twist Modified Everything

New particulars reveal simply how shut Mike Vrabel got here to taking on the New York Jets, a transfer that may have positioned him reverse the New England Patriots twice each season.

What as soon as seemed like an outlandish declare now looks as if a actuality.

Jets’ Interest in Mike Vrabel Very Real and Serious

According to Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer, each Vrabel and the Jets confirmed true mutual curiosity throughout New York’s offseason teaching search. Just two days after Vrabel’s contract with the Cleveland Browns expired, the Jets invited him to a non-public dinner at The Capital Grille in Parsippany, New Jersey.

The following day, Vrabel sat by means of a full schedule of conferences, impressing staff officers together with his imaginative and prescient and management.

Breer identified that the Jets had finished in depth background checks, and what they’d heard about Vrabel’s tenure in Tennessee was not universally optimistic: there have been numerous accusations that he had been divisive. But this interview wasn’t something like that.

“One person who was there told me he came off as very thoughtful, smart, caring. He clearly had a vision for his team. And he said, ‘We (the Jets) came away thinking, ‘Why would you fire this guy?’ So, they had a big interest in bringing him back for a second interview.”

Patriots’ Firing of Jerod Mayo Affects Entire Coaching Trend

Everything modified when the Patriots surprisingly let go of head coach Jerod Mayo, a mere 90 minutes after their Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills. The second Robert Kraft launched his assertion, Vrabel immediately grew to become the perceived frontrunner in New England.

According to NBC Sports, Breer identified that the Patriots fast-tracked their hiring course of, performing speedy interviews to fulfill the Rooney Rule necessities, and did not afford the Jets any alternative to convey again Vrabel for a second assembly. In days, the Patriots had locked up the pinnacle coach.

Behind-the-Scenes Calls Reveal Jets’ Desperation to Keep Vrabel

SNY’s Connor Hughes added much more gas to the story, reporting that the Jets have been “in love” with Vrabel after their interview. He mentioned Vrabel was their absolute best choice – a lot in order that the Jets referred to as him in late as he was heading to New England, asking what it might take to maintain him. It was reportedly extra money, full management, and anything he wished.

Less than 10 days after assembly with the New York Jets, regardless of their aggressive push, Vrabel accepted the Patriots’ supply.

Despite the frustration in New York, Breer mentioned Vrabel remained on good phrases with a number of within the Jets group. When the inner points cropped up, Vrabel even reached out to these he’d related with throughout the course of, which clearly left a mark.