According to MassLive’s Sean McAdam, Red Sox legend Jason Varitek will be returning to Alex Cora’s coaching staff in 2026. While the exact terms of the deal are not known at this time, one industry source tells McAdam that the deal runs through at least the 2027 season.

10 days ago, multiple media reports had this as a done deal. But after an appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” one day later, it sounded like there were still a few things that needed to be ironed out.

Here was everything Varitek had to say on WEEI on October 15 about the potential of leaving the organization:

Question: Do you intend to be back here? Is the organization talking to you?

Jason Varitek: “Obviously we were - you [Greg Hill] and I were on planes, trains and automobiles and stuck on Gilligan's Island for a while [this weekend going to a wedding]. Craig reached out this weekend for us to get together this week, and, well, I think later today we'll have a conversation.”

Q: Conversation? So it doesn't sound like, from your perspective, it's a definite.

JV: “Well, I mean, you have to see everything [that] goes on. Now, have I been here for 28 years? Yes. Have I dumped everything I've had to make this organization better, and the people that you mentor, coach and be a part of? Yes. Do I want to continue to do that? Yes. But have to see where it all lies.”

Q: I mean, what organization wouldn't want Jason Varitek in it? I mean, you have such an instant credibility with the players and the fans in a very unique way.

JV: “I appreciate that, but you hope that the most impact is what the players say. And if you can make one better, or have them find their inner self and find who they are, and you've helped with that, that's what's gratifying about this job.”

Q: You interviewed for the Giants job a couple seasons ago. That's open again. Would that be something you were interested in?

JV: “Yeah. I mean - you know, it was minimal interviews with Farhan [Zaidi] at that point, because [Bob] Melvin had - San Diego had opened up Melvin for talks, and in the course of 12 hours, he was completely honest. He was like, ‘We've got to go with this right now, and then if it doesn't work through, we're going to call you back.’ So yeah, I mean - you know, Buster Posey’s obviously done, moved things around, and made things very likable again in San Fran. They have a great core of where they’re going.”

Q: Alright, so this is in Breslow's court, or perhaps on his screensaver, whatever the analogy would be. And so you would like to remain here. And I would like for them to give you what you need to remain here, if I have any say in the matter.

JV: “What did you say, starting at $40 million? I love my floor!”

That last part comes from the end of the interview, with Varitek making a joke about the money that is now presumably available after Alex Bregman opted out of his contract to test the free agent market after only one season in Boston.

Ahead of last season, Varitek’s title on Cora’s staff changed from game-planning coordinator/catching coach to game-planning/run prevention coach. After serving in that first role from 2020 through 2024, the change in title came after the Red Sox hired catching coach Parker Guinn away from the Yankees.

Before joining Boston’s coaching staff in 2020, he worked as a special assistant/catching coach in a hybrid coaching/front office role over an eight-year span that began in 2012 after retiring from his decorated playing career. The 53-year-old has been linked to managerial openings in both Seattle and San Francisco in the past, and there’s no question those links will continue as the years go along.

One tangible example of Varitek’s impact on the 2025 roster was rookie catcher Carlos Narvaez’s meteoric rise on the roster, eventually leap-frogging incumbent catcher Connor Wong for the starting role and ending the season as a nominee for a 2025 Gold Glove.

Welcome back, Tek!

Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.