It was always Mike Vrabel.

The Patriots are hiring their former Super Bowl-winning linebacker as their next head coach, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Sunday, per sources informed of the situation. New England later announced the news.

Since the moment the Patriots moved on from Jerod Mayo following a turbulent 2024 season, Vrabel was viewed as the frontrunner to run the franchise he helped win three Super Bowls. Vrabel was named to the club’s Ring of Honor in 2023. Robert Kraft will replace one former Patriots player with another in hopes of improved results.

Vrabel is the first coach since 1950 to directly succeed another coach where both had played together in the NFL as teammates since Forrest Gregg took over for Bart Starr as Packers head coach in 1984, per NFL Research.

The 49-year-old Vrabel entered the 2025 coaching cycle as one of the most sought-after candidates, taking interviews with the Bears, Jets and Pats. A return to Foxborough, however, always seemed most likely.