Count former Patriots stars Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski among those praising New England’s decision to hire Mike Vrabel as their new head coach.
Even though both Edelman and Gronkowski joined the Patriots after Vrabel’s eight-year tenure in New England ended in 2008, they believe his on-field experience under Bill Belichick and his subsequent coaching success make him the ideal choice to rebuild the franchise heading into 2025 and beyond.
Edelman, reflecting on Vrabel’s unique perspective, stated on the “Dudes on Dudes” podcast, “He’s played on every phase of the game at a high level, in an important game. He can break down, guy for guy, because he’s done it at the pro level, on defense. He knows everything about defense because he basically was in the school of doctorates on the defense through Belichick, learning through him.”
Gronkowski added that Vrabel’s leadership style is one that demands accountability, saying, “He’s a masculine figure that’s gonna make you do it, right? And if you don’t, he’s gonna mother(expletive) you and get rid of you. He’s gonna make people accountable. That’s how it was. The Patriot Way was developed through these guys.”
A Road Less Traveled
Vrabel’s coaching career didn’t begin under Belichick’s wing. After retiring from the NFL, he started coaching at his alma mater, Ohio State, before joining Bill O’Brien’s staff with the Houston Texans in 2014. In Houston, he climbed the ranks to become the defensive coordinator before landing the head coaching job with the Tennessee Titans.
During his six-year tenure with the Titans, Vrabel earned NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2021 and led Tennessee to multiple playoff appearances. Perhaps one of his most memorable victories came in the 2019 AFC Wild Card Round when the Titans defeated the Patriots—a win that featured Vrabel outsmarting Belichick with a savvy move that showcased his football IQ.
Outsmarting the Mastermind
In that game, Vrabel exploited a loophole in the NFL rulebook, using consecutive intentional penalties (a delay of game and a false start) to drain nearly two minutes off the clock late in the fourth quarter. By doing so, Vrabel limited the time Belichick, Tom Brady, and the Patriots had to stage a comeback.
The move, which infuriated Belichick on the sideline, was particularly ironic given that Belichick had employed the same strategy earlier that season against the Jets. Reflecting on the moment, Gronkowski said, “He kind of outplayed Belichick in that situation, because Belichick was the master of knowing the rules inside and out and using that to his advantage. And this is a time when Vrabel used it to his advantage, and it was against the mastermind Coach Belichick. Pretty incredible by him to do that.”
Moving Forward
Edelman and Gronkowski both agree that while Vrabel brings an impressive resume and football IQ to the Patriots, the front office needs to back him up by making significant roster upgrades.
“You gotta get some linemen. … They got a whole lot of money to spend,” Edelman said. He also expressed confidence in Vrabel’s ability to leverage resources effectively. “Now, knowing Mike through the years that I’ve known him, I’m sure he took this job knowing that he is going to be able to spend some money.”
With Vrabel now at the helm, the Patriots have the potential to usher in a new era. Edelman and Gronkowski’s endorsements highlight the optimism surrounding Vrabel’s leadership as the franchise looks to return to prominence.
John Snow is a passionate NFL enthusiast who lives and breathes football. Whether it’s the latest updates, breaking news, or key stats that fuel the game, John thrives on sharing it all with fellow fans.
