The former QB has viewed his sabbatical as an exercise in patience. Bruce Arians says it's "total bullsh-- that he's not a head coach."

The Patriots are scheduled to interview Mike Vrabel on Thursday and are also expected to virtually interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson later this week.

The original Bill Belichick succession plan going up in smoke, forced the New England Patriots to conduct a proper coaching search for the first time in over a quarter century. That process is still in its early stages — Jerod Mayo was fired only three days ago — but there are already questions about the organization’s approach.