When you think of attractive head coaching vacancies around the NFL, one would assume that a team like the Patriots that just finished a 4-13 season wouldn't be the sexiest of options.
But in the grand scheme of things, the Patriots' job, which was filled Sunday morning with the announcement of the hiring of Mike Vrabel, was to be the best of the six teams - the Jaguars, Jets, Raiders, Titans and Saints being the others - that needed to hire head coaches this offseason.
There are multiple reasons why a hot coaching commodity like Vrabel chose to return to New England, but we'll focus on the top factors.
Mike Vrabel is walking into an almost perfect situation with the Patriots
1. Having a solid quarterback in Drake Maye put the Patriots ahead of the competition
Unlike the other five teams, the Patriots have security at the most important position on the field. New England hit a home run by selecting Maye third overall in last year's draft, and while he played like a rookie at times last season, the Patriots have their man.
The Saints and Jaguars are locked into albatross contracts with Derek Carr and Trevor Lawrence, the Raiders will be unable to draft Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward unless they swing a trade, and the Jets are the Jets. The Patriots also have a great backup in Joe Milton.
Vrabel won't have to worry about the quarterback room.
2. The Patriots head into the 2025 offseason with the most cap space for Mike Vrabel to use
The Patriots are in prime position to rebuild their roster via free agency with well over $100 million in salary cap room. New England tried to throw the checkbook at prime free agents such as Calvin Ridley last offseason, but they didn't want to come to Foxboro for various reasons, particularly no quarterback.
Now that the Patriots have a signal caller in Maye with superstar potential, New England could be a destination for free agents (hello, Tee Higgins). There will be plenty of money to spend this offseason.
3. Holding the fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft is the cherry on top for the new regime
We all know the Patriots lost out on the No. 1 pick in April's draft by beating Buffalo's backups in Week 18, but No. 4 is still a great place to be. New England will have realistic shots at prospects such as Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, both of whom would be game-changers the team sorely needs. Trades are not out of the realm of possibility for the Patriots to stockpile picks, either.
Vrabel ultimately has a lot of work to do to make the Patriots contenders again. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially with the most important position in the building solidified.