Daily news and links for Tuesday.
TEAM TALK
- Evan Lazar goes inside Mike Vrabel’s program through the eyes of former Patriots and Titans greats: Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler, and Dion Lewis explain what playing for coach Vrabel is like and what he’ll bring to the Patriots.
- Mike Dussault tackles this week’s Patriots Mailbag: Crafting an offseason wishlist.
- Paul Perillo’s NFL Notes: Divisional round had championship feel.
LOCAL LINKS
- Andrew Callahan addresses the 2nd of 5 offseason fixes: No. 2 — Draft and sign new offensive tackles.
- Danny Jaillet reports two Patriots made ESPN’s All-Rookie Team: QB Drake Maye and G Layden Robinson.
- Jordy McElroy ranks the Patriots 2025 free agents by re-sign priority.
- Darren Hartwell takes a look at who’s on Vrabel’s radar and which coaches the Pats might bring in for interviews.
- WEEI guest Mike Reiss suggests Ohio State OC and former NFL head coach Chip Kelly could be an outside candidate for the Pats offensive coordinator position.
- Adam London notes Ian Rapoport identified Josh McDaniels as “the favorite” to become the next OC, but Mike Reiss says he’s not a shoo-in.
- Alex Barth tells us the team is reportedly bringing back special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer. In his first season, the Pats’ special teams unit ranked second in the league according to PFF.
- Chris Cotillo notes the Patriots poached Red Sox exec Joe McDonald for a senior analytics role in the front office.
- Andrew Callahan notes the Patriots reportedly requested an interview with Dolphins assistant Ryan Crow for defensive coordinator job.
- Sara Marshall mentions how the Commanders are a good vision of what the Patriots’ future can look like with Drake Maye. /Last year it was the Texans who were the blueprint for the Pats, lol.
- Jerry Thornton says it’s time to admit John Harbaugh is not a good postseason coach.
- Andrew Callahan reports the Bengals hired former Patriots OL coach Scott Peters and assistant OL coach Mike McCarthy to the same positions after just one season in New England. Under Peters’ leadership, the Patriots’ offensive line ranked as the league’s worst run-blocking unit by multiple metrics and among the worst pass-protecting groups in the NFL. /Woof. Good luck with that, Cincy.
- Danny Jaillet highlights CB Jonathan Jones on the “Pats Interference Football podcast” admitting some players expected Jerod Mayo’s firing.
- Ian Logue discusses how legal clarity may be coming soon for Jabrill Peppers. His jury trial is this Wednesday.
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Steve Balestrieri dissect the potential impact each of the coordinator candidates could have on the Patriots’ game plan. (37 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Report: Rams assistant John Streicher is expected to reunite with Mike Vrabel.
- Albert Breer (SI) First look at NFL Championship Sunday: Bills and Chiefs are familiar foes; Plus, a nod to Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, Nick Sirianni’s refreshing perspective and more.
- Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) AFC, NFC Championship early odds: Chiefs have slight edge over Bills, Eagles favored over Commanders.
- Patrick Andres (SI) Who is singing the National Anthem at Super Bowl 59? Full list of pregame performers.
- Judy Battista (NFL.com) Biggest winners and losers from Sunday’s Divisional Round NFL playoff games.
- Nora Princiotti (The Ringer) Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and the razor-thin line between glory and frustration.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Coaching carousel quickly becomes musical chairs.
- Mark Cannizzaro (NY Post) Aaron Glenn taking second Jets interview with pressure on team to move quickly.
- Staff (ESPN) What will Bears hiring Ben Johnson mean for Caleb Williams? Was Johnson the top target all along?
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Don’t overlook the possibility of Pete Carroll to the Raiders.
- Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Brian Schottenheimer is new betting favorite to be the Cowboys’ next head coach.
- Judy Battista (NFL.com) Ranking NFL head-coach openings in 2025 hiring cycle.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) With NFLPA in disarray, NFL keeps pushing for 18 games.