By Jordan Sigler0ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.There's no way Mike Vrabel is on the hot seat during OTAs?
Maybe.
The New England Patriots head coach has been under fire for his alleged relationship with Dianna Russini, a former reporter for The Athletic. Vrabel took some extra time away from the Patriots this offseason before returning to coach the team during OTAs.
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Jeremy Fowler of ESPN suggested Vrabel is under pressure to show he still has command of the team during mandatory minicamp in June.
"This offseason has been a heavy distraction for coach Mike Vrabel," Fowler wrote. "How New England proceeds as a team in the coming weeks and months will say a lot. It's a chance for Vrabel to prove he hasn't lost his edge on the field and with his players. New England is expected to add wide receiver A.J. Brown to the fold in time to acclimate him for OTAs and minicamp."
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It's unclear what Fowler meant would happen if Vrabel fails the test. It's unheard of for a team to fire or suspend a coach for poor performance during OTAs, though this situation isn't exactly in the NFL playbook.
Last week, Vrabel wouldn't rule out the possibility that he could miss more time during OTAs this spring.
"I can only tell you I'm going to be there today," Vrabel said, via the Patriots. I can't tell you anything other than I'm going to be out there today in full force. And I mean that because who knows what's going to come up? Anything could happen.
"So, I'm going to focus on today and the excitement that we've had and that we've built so far, the conditioning that we've tried to incorporate into our practices, the weightlifting and all the things that are critical."
If Vrabel can't keep the locker room because of the distraction, even after leading New England to the Super Bowl in his first season, it doesn't stand to reason he'd win it over at a later date.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could be a potential option to take over as an interim head coach should the team need a change at the top. He has former head coaching experience with the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders.
Of course, the Patriots can bypass that problem and potential solution if Vrabel keeps his edge in June.
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