Patriots Coaching Tracker: Report - There have been contract talks between Vrabel, Patriots

FOXBOROUGH — This whole search process is going to move quickly and in a lot of different directions, but we'll keep you updated on what's going on both with the Patriots and the rest of the league, since they are all related.

Robert and Jonathan Kraft, with an assist from Eliot Wolf, are running point on their search. They are not using a search firm.

SATURDAY UPDATES

Tom Pelissero reports there have been contract talks between the two sides:

FRIDAY UPDATES

 - The Johnson interview is over:

THURSDAY UPDATES

 - Patriots announce they have completed an interview with Mike Vrabel.

I wouldn't read too much into this. I think the Krafts want to make the process look legit, including talking to Ben Johnson on Friday.

 - Aaron Glenn has declined the interview request from the Patriots. I know he had a very full plate of interviews.

 - Raiders fired GM Tom Telesco. They do not have an interview set up with Vrabel. I think Tom Brady knows he doesn't have a chance.

WEDNESDAY UPDATES

- There was a report about teams reaching out to Bill Belichick, including Tom Brady for the Raiders. But the latest report throws water on that:

- Mike Vrabel will meet in-person with the Patriots on Thursday. Ben Johnson will interview virtually (that's the most the rules allow) on Friday. Unless there's some snag, I expect the Patriots to be done and Vrabel to be wrapped up shortly thereafter.

Johnson's dance card:

Raiders and Patriots on Friday
Bears & Jaguars on Saturday

 - Patriots have put in a request for Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

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Giardi: Per source, Mike Vrabel will interview for the head coaching job Thursday. This "search" is moving at a breakneck pace, and it wouldn't be surprising if he didn't leave the building.

Per multiple reports and confirmed by BSJ, the team also interviewed a pair of candidates today, Pep Hamiton and Byron Leftwich. The Pats have already fulfilled the Rooney Rule as both conversations were in person.

Ben Johnson is also lined up, though that has to be virtual because of Detroit being in the playoffs. Brian Flores said he was interested in the job but the team has not contacted him yet. The earliest he would be available to interview in person is January 20th.

Hamilton has been out of the league since 2022. He was Lovie Smith's offensive coordinator that season, and the entire staff was fired at year's end. In 2021, he was the passing game coordinator and QB coach in Houston, and before that, the Charger's QB coach (2020). Hamilton also coordinated the Indianapolis Colts offense from 2013-15 and was the associate coach for the Cleveland Browns (2016).

He was a big fan of Joe Milton before the 2024 NFL Draft.

Leftwich has also been out of the league since 2022. He had spent the 2019-22 seasons as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC, working under Bruce Arians and then, for one season, Todd Bowles, before being fired. The Bucs were a top-3 scoring team under Leftwich's watch, which saw Jameis Winston and Tom Brady under center. A former first-round draft pick (7th overall, 2003), Leftwich was runner-up to Doug Pederson for the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching job.

He recently told The Athletic, “Just give me the opportunity. Bring me in and see. Communicate with me, see if I’m the right type of leader you want,” Leftwich added. “Do your homework. See if I can lead men. … See if I know my X’s and O’s. See if I know people. See if I know what needs to be done to succeed at the job.”

One other update: DeMarcus Covington is scheduled to interview for the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator position that became available yesterday after the firing of longtime assistant Lou Anarumo. 

PATRIOTS HEAD COACH

Lions OC Ben Johnson - Will interview with New England this week. 

Pep Hamilton - completed

Byron Leftwich - completed

Mike Vrabel - Will interview Thursday.

Since Detroit clinched the bye, they can have a virtual interview with him this week.

JAGUARS HEAD COACH

Fired Doug Pederson.

Kellen Moore  Requested permission to interview.

Todd Monken, Ravens OC - Requested permission to interview.

Joe Brady, Bills OC - Requested permission to interview.

Liam Coen, Buccaneers OC - Requested permission to interview.

Ben Johnson, Lions OC - Request

ed permission to interview.

Aaron Glenn, Lions DC - Requested permission to interview.

Patrick Graham, Raiders DC - Requested permission to interview.

Robert Saleh, former Jets HC - Will interview.

SAINTS HEAD COACH

David Shaw, former Stanford HC - Scheduled to interview.

Vrabel - Scheduled to interview

BEARS HEAD COACH

Ben Johnson, Lions OC - Will interview this week.

Aaron Glenn, Lions DC - Requested permission to interview.

Drew Petzing, Cardinals OC - Requested permission to interview.

Anthony Weaver, Dolphins DC - Requested permission to interview.

Vrabel - Scheduled to interview.

Joe Brady, Bills OC - Requested permission to interview.

JETS HEAD COACH

Mike Vrabel, former Titans HC. Interviewed last week.

Ron Rivera, former Commanders HC. Interviewed last week.

Rex Ryan, former Jets HC. Interviewed Tuesday.

Joe Brady, Bills OC - Requested permission to interview.

Aaron Glenn, Lions DC - Requested permission to interview.

Vance Joseph, Broncos DC - Requested permission to interview.

Matt Nagy, Chiefs OC - Requested permission to interview.

Bobby Slowik, Texans OC - Requested permission to interview.

Arthur Smith, Steelers OC - Requested permission to interview.

Brian Griese, 49ers QBs - Requested permission to interview.

Brian Flores, Vikings DC - Requested permission to interview.

JETS GENERAL MANAGER

Mike Borgonzi, Chiefs assistant GM - Requested permission to interview.

Thomas Dimitroff, former Falcons GM (completed)

Alec Halaby. Eagles assistant GM (scheduled)

Jim Nagy, Reese's Senior Bowl exec (completed)

Jon Robinson, former Titans GM (completed)

Louis Riddick, ESPN analyst (completed)