Mike Vrabel – Page 2 – New England Football Journal®

Patriots 2026 Off-Season Preview: Building on a Super Bowl Foundation

February 13, 2026

The Patriots enter the 2026 off-season in a position of strength. Fresh off an appearance in Super Bowl LX, Mike Vrabel’s team has established a clear identity: a physical, defensive-minded team led by a promising franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. With an estimated $40-$42 million in projected cap space and a healthy stable of draft capital, the front office has the resources to ensure this isn’t just a one-year window….

Patriots to open defensive coordinator position

February 12, 2026

0 comment

The Patriots are reshaping their defensive coaching staff following the season ending loss to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the organization is moving defensive coordinator Terrell Williams into a high-ranking role within the staff. This transition comes after the news recently that Williams is now cancer-free, having battled prostate cancer throughout the 2025 season. While Williams remained a constant…

Patriots should have plenty of flexibility as they navigate the upcoming off-season

February 6, 2026

0 comment

Mark Konezny-Imagn Images SANTA CLARA- It is never too early to start thinking about next season which starts on Monday after the Super Bowl. Despite a historic 2025 offseason where the New England Patriots redefined aggressive spending, the franchise is set to enter the 2026 league year in an enviable financial position. Last year, the front office shattered records by leading the NFL with over $209 million in guaranteed money…

Maye shoulder injury rumor likely a non-story

January 28, 2026

0 comment

Courtesy of Garrett W. Ellwood / Associated Press Rumors of a shoulder injury for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye began to circulate following a hard landing in the third quarter of the AFC Championship game on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Social media doctors, specifically Dr. David Chao pointed to a moment where Maye appeared to clutch his right throwing shoulder after a tackle by Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga. The message…

Mike Vrabel stands as the definitive proof that a head coach is the ultimate force multiplier

January 27, 2026

0 comment

AP Photo/John Locher In the modern NFL, where front offices obsess over draft capital and “roster building” is often treated like a math equation, Mike Vrabel stands as the definitive proof that a head coach is the ultimate force multiplier. While general managers provide the ingredients, the head coach is the one who determines whether those ingredients become a championship-caliber meal or a disjointed mess. Vrabel’s career, particularly his transformational…

Patriots were built on belief and camaraderie and that is why they won in Denver

January 26, 2026

0 comment

Courtesy of the New England Patriots DENVER- The Patriots 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos in Sunday’s AFC Championship game was a gritty win but a win not all teams could win. You have to be built to win a game like this and this rendition of the Patriots clearly is. Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel said after the game that it starts with a belief in what you are doing…

Kuhr making the challenging adjustment to defensive coordinator look seamless

January 17, 2026

0 comment

FOXBOROUGH- It is hard to coordinate an offense or a defense at any level of football. Especially when you are in your first year on the job. That is the challenge Patriots interim defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr has faced this season. Based on the results however, you would have thought Kuhr had been coordinating for years. Kuhr stepped into the role prior to the season opener against the Raiders after…

Coaching matchup In Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round contest pits a pair of true alphas

January 15, 2026

0 comment

By John Sapochetti NEFJ Contributor One of the most used phrases in football is, “It’s not about the X’s and O’s, but the Ja’Marr’s and the Joes.” Sorry for the editorial license, I couldn’t resist. While being poetic and partially true, coaching does have a massive impact in the fortunes of a football team. To prove that point, look to the sidelines on Sunday at 3:00 when the 15-3 New…

Patriots & Foxboro High School once again share the spotlight this week

January 3, 2026

0 comment

FOXBOROUGH, MA- For years the New England Patriots and Foxborough High School have been synonymous with football in the area. In recent years, it has been primarily as a way to illustrate that the Patriots should play and execute at a high level than the young men that play at Foxboro High School. The truth is however, there has always been mutual respect and adoration between the Patriots and the…

After tough loss to the Bills, Patriots cannot afford to “lose to them twice” next week against the Ravens

December 14, 2025

0 comment

Courtesy of USATI FOXBOROUGH – There is an old adage in coaching when you lose to a rival. “Don’t let them beat you twice.” The Patriots cannot afford to lose to the Ravens next week after losing a heartbreaker to the Bills today. Putting this one behind them as quick as possible is key. The Patriots have to watch the film tomorrow, correct the mistakes this week and move on….

1 2 3 4 … 6