Mike Vrabel got the call from the Patriots that the team was trading him to the Kansas City Chiefs. Eight years of service in New England, with three titles, and the linebacker was out of there a year too early perhaps rather than a year too late like so many others who played for that team under Bill Belichick.

The New England Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel as their next head coach. The team announced the hiring Sunday morning. It comes a week after Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo after the team’s season finale victory over the Buffalo Bills to finish 4-13 in his lone season as coach.

Here's a look back at Mike Vrabel’s Patriots playing career, from defensive dominance to Super Bowl scores. Read more on Boston.com.