Imagine a world in which Mike Vrabel is coaching in the AFC East but stands on the sideline opposite the New England Patriots twice per year? It apparently was close to happening.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer joined Patriots Pregame Live ahead of Thursday night's matchup between the Jets and Patriots . The NFL insider offered some intel into New York's offseason pursuit of Vrabel.

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"The interest was very real on both sides," Breer said.

Two days after Vrabel's contract with the Cleveland Browns ended, Jets officials invited Vrabel to dinner at The Capital Grille in Parsippany, New Jersey. Vrabel had a steak, Breer believes. He then had a full slate of meetings the next day (Friday Jan. 3), about 48 hours b

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