Patriots eyeing 2 head coach contingency plans if Mike Vrabel resigns

TL;DR

The New England Patriots are considering contingency plans for head coach Mike Vrabel amid a cheating scandal. If Vrabel resigns or is let go, former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is reportedly their top choice for replacement.

Key points

Mike Vrabel is involved in a cheating scandal.
The Patriots are considering contingency plans for Vrabel's potential resignation.
There is no current indication that Vrabel will be fired.
Mike Tomlin is the top choice for replacement if needed.

Mentioned in this story

Mike VrabelDianna RussiniNew England PatriotsPittsburgh SteelersMike Tomlin

In the midst of their head coach, Mike Vrabel, being embroiled in a cheating scandal with now-former NFL reporter Dianna Russini that has no doubt taken a toll on him, the New England Patriots are preparing for everything.

And part of preparing for everything includes Vrabel either resigning or being let go.

Now, to be clear, there is nothing to suggest that is on the table at this point, nor are the Pats even thinking about firing him.

But just in case things continue to go south for Vrabel and he decides to step away or the team decides it needs to go in a different direction because of all the drama becoming a distraction, the Patriots are at least thinking about contingency plans.

According to Russ Weakland and Ben Nagle of the Daily Mail, the Patriots’ top choice to replace Vrabel in that scenario would be former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

“The Krafts are extremely loyal and have no intention of firing Mike, nor do they want to see him quit over all this drama,” an insider said to the Daily Mail. “But if these upcoming few months go haywire, and if they are put in a situation of no return, either with the team not doing well or the drama of Mike’s family issues taking over and forcing a decision on Mike’s coaching future, the one person that they would seek to replace him would be Mike Tomlin.”

The Patriots even have a second choice if Tomlin were to say no, and that’s offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

“However, if Tomlin did not want to return to coaching after his TV stint, the source continued, the team might consider coach Josh McDaniels to be Vrabel’s replacement,” Weakland and Nagle said.

Would Mike Tomlin take Patriots job?

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin

Q&A

What is the cheating scandal involving Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini?

Mike Vrabel is embroiled in a cheating scandal with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini, which has affected his position as head coach.

What contingency plans are the Patriots considering if Vrabel resigns?

The Patriots are preparing for the possibility of Mike Vrabel resigning or being let go, with former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin as their top choice for replacement.

Is there any indication that the Patriots will fire Mike Vrabel?

Currently, there is no indication that the Patriots are considering firing Mike Vrabel; they are merely preparing for potential future scenarios.

Who is the top candidate to replace Mike Vrabel if he leaves?

Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is reportedly the top candidate to replace Mike Vrabel if he resigns or is let go.