Ben Johnson or Mike Vrabel? + Patriots Coaching Search Updates | Patriots Daily

[@jacobhughes9010]

I’m sold, I now lean towards Ben Johnson. But it’s a 55/45 situation

[@mastertama7449]

Don’t be afraid of the unknown Ben Johnson has been coaching in this league for a long time he will be able and prepared to handle the job look at Minnesota these guys are smart and prepared

[@RG_McCorkle]

Ben Johnson, I want a consistent offense.

[@mikegrace2819]

No way Kraft hires another first time head coach after the Mayo experience. I think Johnson would be WAYYY better than Mayo, but it wasn’t the X’s and O’s that screwed Mayo, it was AALLLL the other stuff that he wasn’t ready for, which you can’t be ready for.

[@obarbeito]

Ben Johnson any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[@justinmanchester7743]

That is the Rooney rule, the patriots didn’t make the rule, they do have to meet requirements. Don’t hate them for it, blame the NFL

[@paranormalskeptic3893]

I’m torn, I want Vrabel, but Ben Johnson seems like he would be so good for Maye. Now if we get Vrabel we MUST get a good OC to pair with him. Johnson has stated that IF he becomes a head coach, he still wants to do the play calling for the offense. I’d love that.

[@miket104]

Be patient grasshopper they’re no where near done interviewing candidates

[@Trashbag095]

Don’t overthink it, it’s Ben Johnson

[@Mark-wo9yt]

They can't even TALK to the man until late Jan - after conf finals...I get it, he's the next 'big name' after Vrabel, but unless he gets rid of Wolf/Groh, I don't see how he succeeds here if he's stuck with a bad roster hand picked by those two stiffs. The REASON Johnson is GOOD is because Detroit has one of the best OLs in football, several studs at WR and a couple great RBs. They had a very good D (before injuries) but are getting guys back. NE has NONE of that with no hope of acquiring it anytime soon as long as pinhead Wolf is buying the groceries

[@mikethomas4628]

We can’t afford to wait that long because what if vrabel takes a coaching job elsewhere before January 20th and then Ben Johnson decides to stay or go somewhere else then what? I just think if vrabel brings a good OC with him and maybe another coach or 2 I believe they will spend to bring in talent in FA and be agressive to get get the guys they need in the draft. We gotta move fast and get the best guys in here

[@nicolastomas8436]

@@Mark-wo9ytthey are interviewing Johnson on Friday

[@BrickTop06]

I wish there was a world where you get Mike as HC and a Ben Johnson-ESQUE OC

[@Mark-wo9yt]

who is that Johnson-esque OC??? He can't be an OC anywhere now because that's a lateral move and teams block lateral moves - because they're lateral. It would have to be some sort of QB coach or assistant OC or some current job where coming to NE as OC is a promotion, not lateral

[@JBrankles]

I don’t want Elliot wolf, so if Ben Johnson wants to keep him, then that’s the deciding factor

[@mikechan231]

Or we can just let companies hire who they think works best….

[@busselfie6480]

Yeah why think for yourself big corporation always knows best

[@jordancee6595]

Taylor doesn't understand that concept. He was a kamala supporter. And I say all this as a black man

[@elijahtalksball]

Imagine a girl you really like and want to date tells you she wants you too, then someone comes and says you have to go on a couple dates with other girls to be able to make her your girlfriend. What do you expect to happen

[@RiddikVT]

Set a date for when coaches can be officially hired, that will fix the problem. At this point, it's a race to sign Vrabel because Johnson, or Flores for that matter, can't be hired until their teams lose. So not only is Vrabel a top candidate for most teams looking for a coach, but he's also available to get started right away. Yes, they are gaming the system by interviewing Leftwich and Hamilton but just as Kadlick said they are offensive-minded guys and may very well end up with positions in the organization meaning this interview was worthwhile.

[@miler2005]

The Rooney rule is a joke. If you’re qualified, you should get hired. That’s all that should matter. This is just wasting people’s time.

[@Smidgen-x4i]

Enjoy your insights.

[@Slayn-]

Every Pats fan I know wants Ben Johnson I only hear media members saying vrabel is a lock. Ben Johnson could skyrocket Maye’s development which is the only way we get back to superbowls. Love Vrabs but he’s option #2 to most pats fans

[@Mark-wo9yt]

It sounds to me like most Pts fans want Vrabel. 1st time OCs and DCs fail their first time around as HC. Why? For a few reasons - first they always go to bad teams with bad rosters - and often bad GMs with bad front offices and bad owners (sound familiar). Second, has HC they have to delegate because they now are responsible for EVERYTHING, not just the offense OR the defense, the whole ball of wax...the buck stops with them, and if the wheels come off, they're sent packing. It appears to be too overwhelming for them 1st time around. Vrabel already has head coaching experience - which puts him a leg up on everybody else. I'd probably take Flores over him for this same reason. For coordinators, it seems like the only way to ultimately succeed as HC is to fail at it first. Johnson is a 'great' OC because he has a great OL, great WRs, very good RBs and a very good (sometimes great) veteran QB who's seen everything. Their D is criticized but it's 7th in points against and 5th in stopping the run. You can pass on them, but that will improve if they get guys back from injury on D.

[@badnad13thompson97]

God forbid if we have the same record or worst next season

[@anthonyhernandez2111]

the record is important but i care more about HOW we look out there tbh..the offense has to be innovative and at least show some freakin creativity and better product

[@badnad13thompson97]

@@anthonyhernandez2111same difference

[@kwf484]

They could've had a better record this year

[@cletus612]

What time stamp do they stop complaining about the Rooney rule shit

[@justinponeck1393]

32:00

[@semicharmedlife311]

@@justinponeck1393 🤣

[@Elt31987]

So sick of people crying over the rule. The NFL made the rule. Tell them to change the rule. If not, teams are pretty much forced to abuse the rule in order to higher someone

[@mikegrace2819]

Exactly. It’s stupid because; if people are actually racist (owners, in the case), you cannot change that forcing them to interview someone they irrationally hate. The extra stupid aspect is; looking at the pats interviewing minority candidates just the check them off the list is looked at as a problem. Doesn’t matter they just had Mayo. Either you hire a minority coach or you’re racist, because interviewing but not hiring means you only interviewed because Rooney rule. It’s so f*cking dumb and childish.

[@pawperation]

They put in a request for Aaron Glenn already.

[@chaamp_11]

Its kind of interesting that we are interviewing all offensive coaches and now we going for vrabel

[@Chriss-ez1eg]

As a white American im offended

[@drew3354]

As a white, male. I’m offended too.

[@Papajuan25]

If the patriots have a guy they want to hire in Vrable and the NFL forces them to look at 2 minority candidates why are we mad they are looking at them? They are following rules and regulations, don’t be mad at them for doing what is required by the league. The rule itself is the problem

[@Mark-wo9yt]

Is anybody mad Sandwich and Hamilton were interviewed? I don't think so. The Rooney Rule IS Goodell pandering to his 70% black league AND the woke msm mob who wants at least 70% of the head coaches to be black too - regardless of qualifications. Until that happens, they will both cry 'discrimination'. Until someone is officially hired why WOULDN'T these two interview? What if Vrabel goes to Vegas, Johnson to Chicago and their #3 guy to NY - maybe Sandwich or Hamilton won't look so far fetched. More likely, they are meeting league requirements AND considering one of these to (or both) for a role other than HC - which is smart. However, these pundits are too dumb to consider that angle. To them, they are just checking a box and skirting the Rooney Rule in order to fast track Vrabel - who needs his head checked if he DOESN'T explore all head coaching options and just signs w/ NE

[@Papajuan25]

@ I think Vrable wanted and still does want to be BB’s successor. We need to get back to a disciplined and consistent team before we can be the next Lions so I think Vrable is the best guy to get us back on solid ground.

[@mattesyl33]

I'm regularly finding myself flipping from Mike in the morning, to Ben by noon, then back to Mike in the evening...only to invert that the next day 😅. I love Vrabel and his attributes are obvious to me. YET Mike didn't do well in Tennessee after his initial coordinators moved on. If Ben Johnson can put together veteran coaches that aren't going anywhere as Taylor eluded to, that would be a huge benefit. I also love the fact that having an Offensive HC would solidify the coaching influence around Maye for the foreseeable future. Although that could be true with Vrabel and Josh McD (nobody is about to toss him another HC job), I just don't want to bringing in Josh's old super complex Offense that only 1 in 40 receivers can figure out. I'd be happy with either to be honesty.

[@Mark-wo9yt]

Tennessee's GM was inept - go back and look at his draft picks, all whiffs. He then dumped Vrabel's best offensive player (AJ Brown) for a bust draft pick. Vrabel was stuck with Tannehill at QB who is/was so good no other team picked him up last year after he was cut - with half the team looking for serviceable QBs and backup QBs. Tennessee eventually fired that inept GM (Robinson) but the damage was done - the roster stunk. Ownership brought in a new GM (Carthon) who hated Vrabel - the two butted heads from day one, one had to go and ownership picked Vrabel. Yesterday they fired Carthon, so obviously they backed the wrong pony. Ultimately no coach can win with a crappy roster and no QB. Vrabel is highly respected because he managed to do pretty well there for a few years with a mediocre at best QB and depleted roster.

[@badnad13thompson97]

We want leftwich 💪🏾💪🏾

[@elijahtalksball]

Imagine a girl you really like and want to date tells you she wants you too, then someone comes and says you have to go on a couple dates with other girls to be able to make her your girlfriend. What do you expect to happen

[@Chriss-ez1eg]

Yeah I don’t get it why is race being a subject? I mean the civil war was how long ago what’s going on? This is America you can hire who ever u want I don’t get it.

[@scottohara9001]

It would be nice to have an offensive head coach for a change. They have had defensive coaches since the 80s

[@Mark-wo9yt]

Mayo may have played on D but he clearly wasn't a 'defensive' HC...not when you take the 10th ranked D in 2023 and masterfully transform them into a bottom 6 defense.

[@adoseofnirvana3090]

Plenty of competent black HC/OC/DC candidates out there. But forcing teams to interview candidates they have no real intention of hiring to “check a box” is just wrong.

[@semicharmedlife311]

Agree. The concept of creating potential opportunities for qualified minority candidates is a sound one, but in practical application it fails as you mentioned.

[@gopats1253]

It's ridiculous that you're forced to interview minorities as a company you should have the right to hire who you wanna hire not because of their skin color because actually they do a good job you shouldn't be forced to do anything you don't want to do as a company

[@1sewalker]

This is probably a bigger decision than last year's and this year's draft. This will set the franchise direction for years into the future. The Pats have been wandering aimlessly for at least five years. I hope they get it right. It is impossible to look ahead acurately. It is a prjection.

[@mr.t3782]

We would be lucky if any decent coach prospect wants to come here. Some of the other openings are better.

[@jaxsinslayer]

Yeah, I’m all for hiring best candidates, it’s just a slippery slope when you mandate interviews for those that have a different skin color. Kind of the opposite of not judging someone based on how they look.

[@keithwilbur2589]

The media is ridiculous. They're not abusing the Rooney rule. The rule doesn't guarantee minority coaches get jobs. Its intended to give minority coaches the opportunity to interview. Thats it. By interviewing, they can potential impress someone, which can lead to employment somewhere through networking. It also gives them experience which improves future interviews. No one is abusing the rule. They also act like being an NFL head coach is something dozens of people are qualified for. There is only 2 legitimate candidates for this job.

[@obarbeito]

Stop comparing Mayo with Ben. Mayo was never a coordinator, he never called plays, he wasn't in a any position that could affect the action during a game or a position to influence team culture. Ben Johnson is an integral part of everything the Lions do, he calls the plays, he's a leader in the team, players love and respect him.

[@TheChamp601]

It’s always about race the ones says it’s not just trying to save face

[@danielcarcamo6336]

I wonder what Jerry Jones thinks about the rule 🤣

[@leonarddmclain4761]

Flores will never coach in the NFL again. Who would ever take a chance on a guy who only mentioned being asked to throw a game once he was fired. What happens the next time he gets fired?

[@conlenodriscoll4464]

Vrabel is likely the only candidate, a match made in Heaven, nobody wants to coach for the patriots and nobody wants Vrabel. Do you really think Ben Johnson or anybody with any other prospects will take this job after what went down with Mayo? Similarly to Mayo it could very easily be their last paycheck in the NFL

[@EternalHolyone]

Ben johnson

[@tonyv6815]

Why dont we have a Rooney Rule to bring more racial diversity to the role of cornerback?

[@Mark-wo9yt]

Or RB or WR? When will the woke mob start crying about diversity and inclusion in THOSE areas?

[@danimalm631]

Gruden

[@Phil_Williamson]

Jacksonville.

[@badnad13thompson97]

Anybody but Vrabel

[@Chriss-ez1eg]

On top of that they just hired a colored coach lol what’s going on here

[@Whathappened875]

Both. Vrabel coach, Ben Johnson for OC

[@Mark-wo9yt]

STOP with the Johnson for OC - that can never happen. FIRST that's a LATERAL move OC to OC - and the Lions are guaranteed to block it. SECOND why would a successful highly regarded HEAD COACH PROSPECT leave Detroit to be a COORDINATOR at this dumpster fire? He wouldn't - Third - if he wants to remain an offensive coordinator there is NO WAY he'd leave Detroit and it's stacked roster - great OL, great WRs, very talented QB, RBs and D - for this mess with no O-line, 1 RB who fumbles a lot, a bunch of WR4s and bottom 6 D.

[@Whathappened875]

@ did you just bust? Ok well, I'll admit I'm not familiar enough with coach contracts i wasn't aware they could block a professional, non player, from going to another organization as a career choice. As to why would a OC turn down HC opportunity? Maybe because most new coaches get fired after a year. It's a risk to be taken. And why wouldn't he leave if he could get offered more money? If he even can, again I'm not familiar enough with the contracts for coaches so yeah it was a wishful thinking post. And having a stacked roster literally means nothing at all. I'm fairly sure one team can play a coordinator more money than they were previously making so, that's the only thing that matters. As you eluded to with a you questioning why a OC would make a lateral move. $

[@badnad13thompson97]

We want Brian leftwich as the hc 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@nmarkert01]

Brian huh? Haha

[@scottohara9001]

Let’s go Byron or Brian Leftwich 😂

[@semicharmedlife311]

So, you want to replace a totally inexperienced HC with another totally inexperienced HC and one that hasn't even been in the League for aa couple years? Makes sense. And maybe worry about getting the "right" guy and less about getting the "right" skin color.