It was always Mike Vrabel. The Patriots are expected to hire their former Super Bowl-winning linebacker as their next head coach, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Sunday.

New England agreed to a deal to make Vrabel the franchise's next head coach on Sunday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The sought-after former Titans coach who spent the bulk of his playing career in a Patriots uniform has officially been anointed as the franchise's next head coach.

Business is starting to pick up in the New England Patriots’ ongoing search for a new head coach. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team has reportedly had contract talks with former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel to take over the job.