Mike Vrabel likely will have a close eye on the NFC playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, and not only on those who step foot between the lines.
Vrabel, who was hired as New England’s head coach last week, reportedly has started interviewing potential assistant coaches. But there are a handful of assistants on the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles who could make sense for Vrabel’s staff in Foxboro, Mass.
Here are five names both the Patriots and their fans might have an eye on:
Nick Caley, Rams pass game coordinator/tight ends coach
Chances are Patriots fans heard Caley’s name in the past, especially in recent weeks.
Caley reportedly was presented a respectable contract offer from the Patriots last offseason when New England hoped he would serve as the offensive coordinator under then-head coach Jerod Mayo.
Caley turned the offer down and opted for another season in Sean McVay’s system. Smart move. Now, Caley figures to again be a candidate for the offensive coordinator position, this time under Vrabel. Caley’s eight seasons working for Bill Belichick provided him with plenty of familiarity in the organization.
Mike LaFleur, Rams offensive coordinator
Why would LaFleur leave Los Angeles for the same title in New England? Well, the same title doesn’t mean the same job.
The 37-year-old LaFleur isn’t calling the plays for Matthew Stafford and company. McVay is, and chances are LaFleur will need to venture elsewhere to gain that responsibility.
Vrabel hired Matt LaFleur, who was serving under McVay at the time, as his OC when he took over in Tennessee in 2018.
Matt, Mike’s older brother, departed Vrabel’s staff after one season when he took the Green Bay Packers head coaching job.
Perhaps Vrabel goes with the 37-year-old LaFleur and follows an ironic and similar path.
Dave Ragone, Rams quarterbacks coach
Another McVay disciple? Well, kind of. But Ragone was the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator (2021-2023) for three seasons under then-head coach Arthur Smith.
Smith took over as the playing-calling head coach in Atlanta after a three-year run with Vrabel in Tennessee.
Smith, currently the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, was thought to be a potential candidate if the Steelers moved on from head coach Mike Tomlin, but it doesn’t seem like that will be the case.
Ragone, who has more than a decade of NFL coaching experience, might be the next best thing to Smith. He also worked under McVay in 2015 when he was the Rams’ offensive quality control coach.
Bobby King, Eagles insider linebackers coach
King’s been floated as a potential defensive coordinator candidate for the Patriots. King and Vrabel are familiar from their one season together in Houston and two seasons together in Tennessee.
King served as Houston’s linebackers coach when Vrabel was the Texan’ defensive coordinator before he was hired by Vrabel’s Titans as an inside linebackers coach.
King, who’s been coaching different defensive positions in the NFL since 2010, spent the 2024 campaign in Philadelphia after Vrabel was fired in Tennessee.
John Streicher, Rams game management coordinator
Streicher served as Vrabel’s right-hand man in Tennessee and is “expected to follow” Vrabel to New England, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Vrabel hired Streicher as assistant to the head coach before Streicher was elevated to coordinator of football development and director of football administration prior to Vrabel’s firing. He served as McVay’s game management coordinator in 2024.
Reiss likened Streicher’s role in New England to the one Ernie Adams occupied amid Bill Belichick’s Patriots tenure.
Mike LaFleur, Rams offensive coordinator
Why would LaFleur leave Los Angeles for the same title in New England? Well, the same title doesn’t mean the same job.
The 37-year-old LaFleur isn’t calling the plays for Matthew Stafford and company. McVay is, and chances are LaFleur will need to venture elsewhere to gain that responsibility. Vrabel hired Matt LaFleur, who was serving under McVay at the time, as his OC when he took over in Tennessee in 2018.
Matt, Mike’s older brother, departed Vrabel’s staff after one season when he took the Green Bay Packers head coaching job.
Perhaps Vrabel goes with the 37-year-old LaFleur and follows an ironic and similar path.
Dave Ragone, Rams quarterbacks coach
Another McVay disciple? Well, kind of. But Ragone was the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator (2021-2023) for three seasons under then-head coach Arthur Smith.
Smith took over as the playing-calling head coach in Atlanta after a three-year run with Vrabel in Tennessee.
Smith, currently the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, was thought to be a potential candidate if the Steelers moved on from head coach Mike Tomlin, but it doesn’t seem like that will be the case. Ragone, who has more than a decade of NFL coaching experience, might be the next best thing to Smith. He also worked under McVay in 2015 when he was the Rams’ offensive quality control coach.
Bobby King, Eagles insider linebackers coach
King’s been floated as a potential defensive coordinator candidate for the Patriots. King and Vrabel are familiar from their one season together in Houston and two seasons together in Tennessee.
King served as Houston’s linebackers coach when Vrabel was the Texan’ defensive coordinator before he was hired by Vrabel’s Titans as an inside linebackers coach.
King, who’s been coaching different defensive positions in the NFL since 2010, spent the 2024 campaign in Philadelphia after Vrabel was fired in Tennessee.
John Streicher, Rams game management coordinator
Streicher served as Vrabel’s right-hand man in Tennessee and is “expected to follow” Vrabel to New England, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Vrabel hired Streicher as assistant to the head coach before Streicher was elevated to coordinator of football development and director of football administration prior to Vrabel’s firing. He served as McVay’s game management coordinator in 2024.
Reiss likened Streicher’s role in New England to the one Ernie Adams occupied amid Bill Belichick’s Patriots tenure.
