Bill Belichick’s Successor: Meet the Leading Candidates for Patriots’ Next Head Coach

New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien

The current New England Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien has to be a part of the conversation. After Belichick helped pry O'Brien from Alabama, you'd have to think him being considered for the next coach of the New England Patriots was part of the conversation. O'Brien has experience with the Houston Texans, and his resume is solid, with a 52-48 record as Houston's head coach. 

Former Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel

After Mike Vrabel parted ways with the Tennessee Titans, speculation heated up about a potential reunion with the New England Patriots, this time as a head coach. Vrabel has a great track record after his tenure with the Titans and boasts a lot of the qualities that New England will be looking for in their next head coach. Vrabel has notoriously spoken highly of the Patriots, and it would hardly be a surprise to see him as the next head coach in New England. 

Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron

Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron began his career with the New England Patriots as an intern in 2002. Waldron has worked his way up the coaching ranks and has been the Seahawks OC since 2021. With Waldron's success with the Seahawks, he makes for an interesting potential candidate to replace Belichick in New England. 

Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson is one of the hottest names in the NFL head coaching market. With a top-three pick in the 2024 NFL draft, there's the potential that the Patriots land a new franchise quarterback. If that's the case, an offensive guru like Johnson makes a ton of sense as the Patriots' next head coach. A big reason the Detroit Lions captured their first division crown in 30 years is the offensive innovation Johnson brought to the table. 

New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien

The current New England Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien has to be a part of the conversation. After Belichick helped pry O'Brien from Alabama, you'd have to think him being considered for the next coach of the New England Patriots was part of the conversation. O'Brien has experience with the Houston Texans, and his resume is solid, with a 52-48 record as Houston's head coach.