According to NFL Network, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has declined an interview request from the Patriots.

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.

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

The Patriots have requested to speak to a fifth head coaching candidate.

The Patriots are searching for a new coach after firing Jerod Mayo on Sunday following a brutal first season at the helm.

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.

The New England Patriots announced they have completed interviews with former Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich and former Texans OC Pep Hamilton for their head coaching vacancy.  Both interviews were today.

The Patriots concluded their interview with Ben Johnson for their head-coaching vacancy and have no other known meetings scheduled.

Lions OC Ben Johnson interviewed well with the Patriots but plans to meet with other teams. Meanwhile, the Patriots are pushing for a quick resolution to their HC search, per source. Many around the league expect a decision this weekend.

According to the Boston Globe, the Patriots have entered contract negotiations with Vrabel, who has been looked at as the front-runner to fill their head coaching vacancy. This came after NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Vrabel’s agent and the Patriots have had contract talks.

The New England Patriots could be on the verge of hiring their next coach after completing an interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday, the fourth candidate to be brought in as part of the search to fill the vacancy created by the firing of Jerod Mayo.

It didn't take long for the New England Patriots to make their first major move of the offseason. Shortly after Sunday's season finale vs. the Buffalo Bills, Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced the team parted ways with first-year head coach Jerod Mayo.