Mayo vs. Vrabel: Gronk's Pick to Replace Patriots' Belichick?

While Rob Gronkowski won't believe Bill Belichick's time with the New England Patriots is over until it happens, he is picking a preferred successor just in case.

If the New England Patriots follow through with the anticipated parting of ways with Bill Belichick, who will replace the legendary coach?

That is a question on many people's minds as the Patriots are just days away from turning the page on a disastrous 4-12 season when they take on their AFC East rival, the New York Jets, in the NFL's final week of the regular season. Despite no official announcement - or even a public hint from owner Robert Kraft - many names are already popping up as potential successors.

Despite all the proverbial smoke coming from an increasingly hot seat in Foxboro, some, like former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, still don't believe Belichick's tenure is truly ending. However, on this week's Up & Adams, his disbelief did not stop him from giving his thoughts on a pair of potential replacements including current Patriots assistant coach Jerod Mayo. 

"I've been hearing a lot of things that he could possibly be the successor. I still think he doesn't have enough experience, though," Gronkowski said."I mean, he's not even a defensive coordinator yet.

"He's a great coach, great guy, but just experience isn't there yet. He has to go through the table of getting up to the head-coaching level and I feel like he needs to be a defensive coordinator first before he just jumps right to the head coach."

So if Mayo isn't the "guy" in Foxboro, who should be?

New England Patriots assistant coach Jerod Mayo (left), Rob Gronkowski (middle), Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel (right) / USA TODAY Sports

"The guy that's most interesting, in my opinion, obviously, if it happens somehow, is [Mike Vrabel]," Gronk said. "I think he's the guy who'd be a great fit for the New England Patriots."

Like Mayo, Vrabel is certainly a name that many Patriots fans will already be accustomed to hearing due to playing days where he spent seven seasons in Foxboro. Combine his prior history with the Patriots and that he already boasts head coaching experience; he'd give New England the best of both worlds. 

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Vrabel would boast prior knowledge of the "Patriot Way," allowing him to uphold many of the franchise's historic traditions. At the same time, he'd also bring knowledge of what worked elsewhere. 

Vrabel has spent the last six seasons with the Tennessee Titans, where he has put together a respectable resume despite never having made it past the AFC championship game. Although with the Titans also enduring a rough season, as they sit at 5-11 heading into their regular-season finale, their struggles could give the Patriots a reason to pass on him as well.

In the meantime, the Patriots are focused on the Jets, a game that could be Belichick's last as coach. Kickoff for Sunday's game inside Gillette Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST.

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