Throughout the two decades of the Patriots' dynasty, rivals and foes found it easy to root against the evil empire for a number of reasons, many of whom went beyond the fact that they dominated the rest of the league each and every season. It was easy for them to dislike Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, but that can't be said about the current coaching staff and roster, for the most part.
While plenty still find excuses not to root for the Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye-led team, the locker room might be the most bonded group we've seen in many years, and that was on full display after winning the AFC Championship.
They've all spoken about it throughout the season, and it didn't stop with their latest win. Beyond seeing their head coach wait to congratulate them outside the locker room every week, several players credited Vrabel for leading them to this season's success, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance.
But Vrabel has made it clear that most of the credit belongs to the players, and he said just that again after Sunday's win.
Mike Vrabel is exactly the head coach the New England Patriots needed in 2025
After the biggest win of the season, which wasn't the prettiest, Vrabel put it plainly yet directly how he feels about being a head coach of the Patriots, especially after being shockingly fired by the Titans in 2024:
“I do this for the players.”
That's the kind of attitude that has been felt by this year's coaching staff and the players, which had been long gone under the two previous coaching staffs.
It was one of the biggest criticisms of Belichick in the latter years of his career, as many pointed out that he found it difficult to relate to the younger generation, and therefore, it was time for Robert Kraft to bring in someone younger, hence Jerod Mayo.
The former linebacker was considered a "player's coach," but it appears to have been to a fault, leading Kraft to let him go after one season and bringing in Vrabel. He, too, was known for being that kind of coach, but it's worked far better this time around, and now the team is playing hard because of the impact he's already had.
It's reminiscent of some of the best Patriots' teams of their most successful years, and that proves it can take them far. It will be a massive part of what they can accomplish in the Super Bowl and in years to come, with the first test in two weeks against the Seahawks.