4 Most Likely Bill Belichick Replacements Following Latest Firing Rumors

For much of this disastrous 3-10 season for the New England Patriots, head coach and general manager Bill Belichick has been the subject of immense scrutiny. The glaring talent deficit on the Patriots roster and the offense's struggles under a defensive-minded Belichick has fostered the narrative that the modern game has passed him by.

Finally, a Patriots insider has dropped a bombshell, confirming the conjecture that Belichick's 24-year tenure as New England's head coach is in its final stretch.

On Tuesday, Tom E. Curran reported that following the Patriots 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany in Week 10, owner Robert Kraft made the decision that the team and Belichick would part ways at the conclusion of the season. Curran also notes that the Patriots' Week 14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football doesn't change anything.

It has been over a month since Kraft reportedly made the decision to move on from Belichick. Given that timeframe, it would be hard to fathom that Kraft hasn't compiled at least a clandestine preliminary shortlist of candidates that he will aggressively pursue this offseason to fill Belichick's shoes.

Here are a few names that could (or should) be on Kraft's shortlist to succeed Belichick's regime in Foxborough.

4. Jim Harbaugh

Admittedly, this one is far-fetched. But Harbaugh's "heart is in the National Football League" and his past success as an NFL head coach should be enough for Kraft to pick up the phone.

In four seasons in charge of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, Harbaugh put together a 49-22-1 record. He reached the NFC Championship game in each of his first three seasons with the Niners, including a Super Bowl XLVII appearance.

Harbaugh's Michigan Wolverines are once again in the College Football Playoffs at 13-0. Amid the team's sign-stealing scandal, the Harbaugh back to the NFL rumors were reinvigorated. However, much of this speculation was fueled by the thought that hemight attempt to utilize the NFL as a "safe harbor" to sidestep any potential punishment handed down in the fall-out from the scandal.

This theory was followed up by reports that the NFL could still impose a suspension on him if he tried to take that route, pouring some water on the thought.

Ultimately, Harbaugh served a three-game suspension handed down by the Big Ten as a result of the scandal, and that very well could be enough to satisfy the NFL from taking matters into their own hands. If the NFL still has intentions of punishing Harbaugh further, then you can cross him off the list.

It's inconceivable that Kraft would want to start off with a new coach already suspended before coaching a game for the team, especially after this year's dumpster fire.

Jim Harbaugh has won everywhere he has coached. Most importantly, he demonstrated an ability to do that at the NFL level when many head coaches have failed dramatically in the college-to-NFL transition. Kraft has to at least check in on his interest.

3. Mike Vrabel

Mike Vrabel, an eight-year Patriots veteran and three-time Super Bowl Champion, would probably be Kraft's dream pick.

Vrabel was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Oct. 21 and honored the following day during halftime. Vrabel's appearance back in Foxborough turned a few heads, as he dropped a "we have a game to win today" during his address and also watched the game from Kraft's suite.

Unfortunately for Kraft, Vrabel has improved his job security in recent weeks. Tennessee has improved to 5-8 after starting 3-7, and the Titans seem to have something cooking with rookie quarterback Will Levis. This could buy Vrabel more time in Nashville.

Vrabel is 53-42 in six seasons in Tennessee. He has earned three postseason berths, including an AFC Championship Game appearance in 2019.

If Kraft is still desperately holding onto the idea of the "Patriot Way" and the glory years of that early 2000s New England dynasty, then it would be hard to imagine he isn't locked in on the former Patriot. Vrabel's job security in Tennessee isn't ironclad, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see him return.

Vrabel signed a five-year contract extension in 2021, so he would either have to be fired or the Patriots would have to sacrifice capital. A wild possibility is that Kraft could send the compensation received for the Belichick trade to Tennessee for Vrabel. Based on Curran's reporting, part of the rationale for not axing Belichick yet is in an effort to get back compensation in a trade during the offseason.

If only we could've known what was said in Kraft's suite that day.

2. Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, has quickly become one of the hottest names in coaching. Johnson has developed the Lions into one of the best offenses in the league and led the charge in the Jared Goff reclamation project.

Last offseason, Johnson was at the top of many prospective lists to land a head coaching gig. Even so, the Lions play caller turned down an in-person interview with the Carolina Panthers and removed his name from consideration with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. Explaining his rationale, Johnson was incredibly complimentary of the situation in Detroit and said that he didn't "want to ruin a good thing".

Despite Johnson's apparent admiration for Detroit, his name will continue to percolate in connection with coaching vacancies, whether he wants it to or not.

If the Patriots do select a quarterback with a top pick, that could incentivize the team to pair said rookie QB with an offensive-minded head coach that can mentor him, while retaining Jerod Mayo to run the defensive side of the ball. This model has become increasingly prevalent in today's NFL.

The 37 year old spent three seasons on staff with Boston College early in his coaching days, so there is an element of familiarity with the region.

Given the team's dreadful performance this year, Kraft could have some apprehension about a first-time head coach. First-time head coaches can be a game of roulette, and Kraft might elect to take a more conservative route and pursue a coach with a proven track record.

Similarly to Harbaugh, Kraft has to at least test the waters on Johnson, especially if they are committed to taking a quarterback towards the top of the draft board.

1. Jerod Mayo

All signs point to Jerod Mayo as the heir apparent in Foxborough.

Mayo manned the linebacker position at an All-Pro level from 2008-2015 for New England before transitioning into coaching. He has been on the Patriots staff since 2019 as an inside linebackers coach and has called defensive plays.

In January, the typically covert Patriots announced that Mayo would receive a contract extension that would keep him with the team "long-term". The announcement raised eyebrows because it was beyond out of character for New England to reveal information like that, and immediately there was speculation that this extension included an agreement that Mayo would be the Patriots' next head coach.

This speculation was only further fueled by reports that he would have a voice in the team's search for an offensive coordinator and offensive line coach last season. Furthermore, Mayo's responsibilities would also be expanded to include being "a sounding board for Belichick during every important aspect of the offseason, including deciding whom to hire on the staff and whom to pursue in free agency.” The added responsibility and power for Mayo could definitely be perceived as him being molded to be the next head coach.

Like Johnson, Mayo was linked to the Carolina Panthers head coaching vacancy last offseason, but turned down an interview after his extension with New England was announced.

Mayo hasn't been shy about publicly professing his desire to be a head coach in the NFL (in New England or otherwise) either. When asked if he still held head coaching aspirations following his extension, Mayo answered“ Absolutely, 100%”.

Coming into this season, there appeared to be a strong likelihood that Mayo would become the next Patriots head coach. However, that assumption didn't factor in how poorly the team would perform this season, and likely didn't account for Belichick to be out the door this soon.

There is a chance that Kraft feels the situation in New England has become so dire that he can't risk a first-time head coach, but the Kraft family also reportedly thinks highly of Mayo and might feel more comfortable keeping it in-house than burning it all down.

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