Expected as it was, Mike Vrabel’s hire as the Patriots’ newest head coach sent waves across the league Sunday.

Most league sources offered rave reviews of Vrabel’s leadership and fit in New England, where the team is facing another overhaul. Vrabel, 49, not only brings familiarity, but experience and toughness after a lost season under recently fired rookie coach Jerod Mayo.

After a 14-year playing career, Vrabel entered the coaching ranks as a defensive assistant at Ohio State in 2011, then coached linebackers for the Texans from 2014-16, got promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017 and became the Titans’ head coach in 2018.

Over six seasons in Tennessee, Vrabel posted a winning head-coaching record and made a habit of winning as an underdog. The Titans also reached an AFC Championship Game, and Vrabel was once named Coach of the Year. Once he was fired last January, Vrabel took a hybrid job with the Browns, who tasked him with scouting draft prospects in the spring and later coaching their tight ends and offensive line.

From league sources who know Vrabel at a distance and also worked with him as recently as last month, here’s how the NFL reacted to his hiring:

‘Brilliant mind’

“One of the most brilliant minds I’ve had the pleasure of working with. He’s an extremely hard worker but incredibly efficient. His passion for the game is evident in everything he does. However, he has strong beliefs that can hinder progress if everyone isn’t aligned. Despite that, it was great to see him up close and personal, given the things that have been said about him over the years.” — League source who worked with Vrabel in Cleveland

Cleveland Browns coaching and personnel consultant Mike Vrabel stands on the field before an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland. The Packers won 23-10. (AP Photo/David Richard)

‘Clear vision’

“Great hire! Great leader with a high football IQ. (He) has a clear vision for how he wants his football team to look and play. Should attract a lot of good coaches to his staff. A lot of people have a belief in him and they have a young quarterback that can play.” — Front-office executive

‘Big changes’

“Excited. Unselfishly, I think it’s a great move for the franchise. Could mean big changes for a lot of people I like working with though, which would be tough.” — Patriots source

‘Players all love him’

“Loved him. He is a very intense guy that will get the best out of his players. He coaches hard, but at the end of the day, the players all love him.” — League source who worked with Vrabel in Tennessee

‘Instant credibility’

“Great leader, will bring instant credibility with the players. They will be a tough and physical team that is well-coached and prepared. Will be brutally honest with everyone in the building, that will rub some the wrong way but it is likely needed there.” — League source

‘Right man for the job’

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“He’s the right man for the job … it’s been bad for the last two years with the New England Patriots organization. When they hired Jerod (Mayo), at the press conference, a big word that was used was ‘collaboration.’ Everybody’s input and all that stuff; well, I don’t know how much it is that any more. And I think that’s a good thing.

“Because Vrabel isn’t going to joke around, Vrabel is going to tighten the screws. In my opinion, there are some people in the front office that need to be told, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing and you need to take a step back.’

“…I love the hire. Of course, this guy is a friend of mine. But there is going to be a change. I’m a little bit surprised that this happened because there are some people upstairs in the organization that want to be heard. And sometimes they’re going to have to take a bite of ‘Humble Pie’ and understand ‘your opinion doesn’t matter on this one’ because there are people in the building that know more. I hope that is what happens this time around because the collaboration project did not work.

“I’m glad it’s going to change a little bit to a coach that has more experience and they know what they’re getting exactly with Mike Vrabel.” — Ex-Patriots linebacker, ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi