Patriots Rumors: Mike Vrabel Expected To Retain This Coordinator

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel apparently could retain one of the coordinators from New England’s underperforming 2024 coaching staff.

Vrabel, who was hired as New England’s head coach last week, confirmed there would be changes coming to the staff. But one assistant who is believed to be safe in Foxboro, Mass., is special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer.

“On special teams, momentum seemed to be building for Vrabel to retain coordinator Jeremy Springer and top assistant Tom Quinn, with Quinn having coached on Vrabel’s staff in Tennessee,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote in a column published Sunday.

There’s an argument to be made Springer was New England’s best coordinator in 2024 as offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington each deserved criticism following the disappointing campaign. Springer came to work with energy and the right mindset, and helped special teams ace Brenden Schooler earn an All-Pro nod.

The fact Vrabel previously worked with Springer’s assistant, Quinn, probably doesn’t hurt Springer’s standing either.

Should it play out that way, Springer would be one of the lucky ones. Vrabel and the Patriots reportedly told five offensive assistants they would not be returning, though neither Van Pelt nor Covington officially have lost their jobs.