While the Patriots requested permission, the Dolphins can only block assistants from interviewing for lateral positions. As a defensive coordinator appointment would be a promotion for Crow, Miami has no choice but to grant the request.

The New England Patriots are interviewing a top Miami Dolphins assistant for the defensive coordinator role. Outside linebacker coach Ryan Crow, who worked for newly hired Patriots coach Mike Vrabel when he was the head coach with the Tennessee Titans, is viewed as a candidate to lead Vrabel’s defense according to ESPN.

Mike Vrabel, early in his tenure as New England Patriots coach, could be looking to poach from the Miami Dolphins’ coaching staff and forming a reunion at the same time for his defensive coordinator hire.