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

Detroit Lions' Tanner Engstrand is considered a potential replacement if current offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaves for a head coaching job.

Former NFL GM Rod Graves criticized the Patriots' usage of the Rooney Rule by interviewing two black candidates before hiring Mike Vrabel.

During the latest edition of his "The Right Time" podcast, sports journalist Bomani Jones defended the Patriots even though it's now clear New England was always going to hire Patriots Hall of Famer and one-time Associated Press Coach of the Year Award winner Mike Vrabel for the job.

The Patriots spoke with an under-the-radar candidate for their head coaching vacancy on Tuesday. Pep Hamilton was in Foxborough for an interview, the team announced. The 50-year-old former offensive coordinator is well-traveled and was most recently the Texans in 2022, but has been out of the league for the past two seasons.

The New England Patriots reportedly interviewed a pair of head coaching candidates on Tuesday, as both Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton were reported to have met with the team about their head coaching vacancy.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Patriots interviewed former Texans OC Pep Hamilton for their HC opening on Tuesday. The following is a list of

The Patriots are scheduled to interview Mike Vrabel on Thursday and are also expected to virtually interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson later this week.

The Patriots announced they completed interviews with Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton on Tuesday. That makes them the first team to comply with the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to conduct in-person interviews with at least two minority candidates.

BOSTON (AP) — The New England Patriots could be on the verge of hiring their next coach after completing an interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday, the fourth candidate to be brought in as part of the search to fill the vacancy created by the firing of Jerod Mayo.

Lions OC Ben Johnson interviewed well with the Patriots but plans to meet with other teams. Meanwhile, the Patriots are pushing for a quick resolution to their HC search, per source. Many around the league expect a decision this weekend.

If Jerry Jones cares about branding and buzz, bringing one of the greatest showmen and talkers in pro sports history to Dallas would check plenty of boxes.