The New England Patriots recently hired Mike Vrabel as their next head coach, shortly after dismissing Jerod Mayo following the conclusion of the 2024 regular season. However, they garnered criticism for the way they conducted the hiring process involving the Rooney Rule,

Plus, the Cowboys were on-brand in their handling of Mike McCarthy, and thoughts about future contracts for Sam Darnold and Brock Purdy.

The Patriots have a new person in charge of all things football and they expect Vrabel to bring some order to the team.

The Rooney Rule is an NFL policy that requires teams to interview ethnic-minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation jobs. The rule was created to help coaches who are minorities but ESPN’s Ryan Clark isn’t convinced it’s effective.

In searching for the successor to Jerod Mayo, the New England Patriots adhered to the ‘Rooney Rule’ — not in practice, but merely in principle.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft has hired Mike Vrabel but Lions DC Aaron Glenn made a point about the Rooney Rule in the process.

The Patriots turned to Vrabel after their quick coaching search wrapped up just seven days after the team fired Jerod Mayo.

The Patriots are searching for a new coach after firing Jerod Mayo on Sunday following a brutal first season at the helm.

Robert Kraft has already satisfied the Rooney Rule by interviewing Pep Hamilton and Byron Leftwich in person, meaning the Patriots are the first of the six teams with a head-coaching vacancy who can make a hire.