Who Replaces Bill Belichick? Jerod Mayo, Mike Vrabel and Other Candidates

Perhaps the only thing more difficult in sports than creating a modern-day dynasty is being tasked with following in the footsteps of the legend who orchestrated one.

Whoever replaces Bill Belichick in New England will be faced with exactly that challenge.

Belichick and the Patriots are expected to part ways on Thursday, according to multiple reports, bringing an end to a 24-year head coaching stint that included 296 wins (including playoffs), 17 division titles, nine conference championships and six Lombardi Trophies. The future Hall of Fame coach and Patriots owner Robert Kraft are holding a press conference at noon ET, which is anticipated to mark the end of an unprecedented run of winning football in New England.

After that, though, the Patriots have an unfamiliar task to get to. For the first time since 2000, Kraft will have to search for a new head coach—whether someone with New England ties or a fresh face in Foxborough—to lead his franchise.

Here's a look at a few options.

Mayo, Vrabel May Be Front-runners

The successor to Belichick may already be in the Patriots' building.

Jerod Mayo, the former All-Pro linebacker on Belichick's defense, may be the favorite to take over for his former coach. The 37-year-old was jokingly referred to as Belichick's other son during his playing career because of how close the two were. And if the Patriots opt to keep Belichick's legacy going with someone with New England ties, Mayo could be the answer.

The eight-year NFL veteran began his coaching career in 2019 as the team's inside linebackers coach and has been with the franchise ever since. Between his time as both a player and coach, Mayo has garnered plenty of respect in the organization, with Kraft even calling him a strong candidate to be Belichick's "heir apparent."

"I think there is no ceiling on his ability to grow and how competent he is," Kraft said of Mayo in March. "I was happy we were able to sit with him and keep him long term. I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen."

If the Patriots decide to go with a more experienced candidate, Mike Vrabel is the other presumed favorite. The former Tennessee Titans coach was fired on Wednesday after a six-year stint that included four winning seasons and a Coach of the Year nod. And once that surprising transaction occurred, plenty of sports fanatics began connecting the dots between Vrabel and the franchise with which he won three Super Bowls.

Vrabel was another standout linebacker in New England for Belichick, and the ability to get a member of the franchise's Hall of Fame—who clearly still has great fondness for the Patriots—may just be a scenario too good for Kraft to pass up.

"I don't want you to take this organization for granted," Vrabel said to Patriots fans in October during his Hall of Fame ceremony. "I've been a lot of places. This is a special place with great leadership, great fans, great direction and great coaching. Enjoy it, it's not like this everywhere."

A trip back to that "special place" may make too much sense not to happen.

As for other candidates in the Patriots "family," Minnesota Vikings coordinator and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has 15 years of experience in the Patriots organization.

Current offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, in his second stint with the Patriots, also has head coaching experience. But the team's offensive output this season under his command probably takes O'Brien out of the running for the top gig. And former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels won six titles with the Patriots and got the most out of Mac Jones, though a third shot at being a head coach after two failed attempts seems unlikely. On the other side of the ball, Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham spent seven seasons under Belichick from 2009-15 and has been a head-coaching candidate in the past.

Possible Replacements Without Pats Ties

Despite reports linking the Patriots to Vrabel, Mayo and a variety of other former Patriots coaches, New England could always opt to start fresh with a coach outside of the past regime.

If that's the case, Ben Johnson's name could be very attractive.

The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator may be the hottest coaching name this hiring cycle, thanks to his work reviving Jared Goff's career and producing top-five offenses. And if the Patriots need anything, it's an offensive overhaul. The Patriots ranked 31st in points scored, 30th in yards, and in the bottom half of the league in most other offensive categories during their 4-13 2023 season.

The battle for Johnson this offseason may get competitive, though Bobby Slowik (Houston Texans) and Frank Smith (Miami Dolphins) are among the other offensive coordinators expected to receive head coaching interest.

Plus, there's always the—perhaps unlikely—chance that the successor to Belichick in New England is Jim Harbaugh, the now-national champion Michigan coach who may be back in the NFL soon.