This comes two days after New England's owner Robert Kraft announced that head coach Jerod Mayo was fired, following the team's disappointing 4-13 season.

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.

One NFL Insider called the Patriots' head coaching search a "sham" aimed at circumventing the league's Rooney Rule

Patriots owner Robert Kraft has hired Mike Vrabel but Lions DC Aaron Glenn made a point about the Rooney Rule in the process.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is closing his second head coach since firing Bill Belichick. Jerod Mayo was hand picked to replace the man who brought six Super Bowl titles to Foxborough.

The Patriots turned to Vrabel after their quick coaching search wrapped up just seven days after the team fired Jerod Mayo.

The New England Patriots are interviewing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich as a head coaching candidate, The Athletic's

The opening to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's press conference ... The Patriots also reportedly interviewed Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton for the job.

Robert Kraft stayed true to his word by moving quickly to reach a deal with Mike Vrabel as the Patriots' new coach, according to multiple reports.

Breer directly noted the Patriots could've run "a sham interview process" simply because they are "desperate" to get to Vrabel, who has attracted interest from several other clubs and could be hired at any time. Additionally, Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz accused the Patriots of "blatantly" sidestepping the Rooney Rule:

The Patriots announced that the team had completed interviews with Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton during the ... days after New England's owner, Robert Kraft, announced that head coach Jerod ...

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