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Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots walks near the field before an AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The New England Patriots reportedly are not planning to move on from Mike Vrabel, but the organization may already know where it would turn if his off-field situation forces a dramatic change.

According to a new Daily Mail report from Russ Weakland and Ben Nagel, the Kraft family remains loyal to Vrabel and has “no intention” of firing him. However, the report added that if Vrabel were to step away by choice, or if the situation reached a point where the Patriots needed an emergency replacement, Josh McDaniels would be the likely internal option.

That detail is notable because this is not a normal coaching rumor. It comes after weeks of headlines surrounding Vrabel’s alleged relationship with former NFL insider Dianna Russini, including reported photo leaks and public scrutiny that has already spilled into the Patriots’ offseason.

Vrabel missed Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to attend counseling and spend time with his family, a decision that immediately made the situation bigger than online speculation. The Patriots have since tried to keep the focus on football, but the story has continued to follow their head coach.

That is what makes the McDaniels detail so significant. It does not mean Vrabel is out. It does mean the Patriots reportedly have a contingency plan in place if a personal situation turns into an organizational crisis.

Why Josh McDaniels Would Be the Obvious Backup Plan

GettyOffensive coordinator Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots prior to Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

If Vrabel stepped away, McDaniels would give New England the easiest path to stability.

McDaniels has deep ties to the Patriots, understands the building and would not require the team to overhaul its staff in the middle of an already chaotic stretch. He also gives the Patriots an internal option who knows the quarterback room, the offensive structure and the expectations that come with coaching in New England.

That matters because the Patriots are not dealing with a football-only issue. They are trying to protect the momentum of a team that needs its offseason to be about roster development, Drake Maye’s next step and Vrabel’s second year leading the program.

Instead, Vrabel’s personal life has become one of the biggest NFL storylines of the offseason.

Patriots Players Have Backed Mike Vrabel

Vrabel has returned to the team, and Patriots veterans have publicly supported him.

Hunter Henry and Robert Spillane both indicated that Vrabel addressed the situation with players, while keeping the team’s focus on the work ahead. That support matters, but it does not erase the pressure around the franchise.

For Vrabel, the path forward is about more than surviving headlines. He has to keep the locker room aligned, rebuild public trust and prevent the off-field story from overshadowing everything the Patriots are trying to build.

For the Patriots, the message appears to be clear: they are standing by Vrabel right now, but they also know who would be next in line if the situation changes.