Vrabel, Mankins, Parcells headline Patriots Hall of Fame finalist

The New England Patriots announced the finalists for this year’s induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame by selecting two former players, Mike Vrabel and Logan Mankins, and former head coach Bill Parcells.

All three finalists have their own story in franchise history, making this one of the better nominations in years past and a meaningful one at that.

Mike Vrabel

Vrabel marks his seventh consecutive year as a finalist (2016-20, 2022-23). He won three Super Bowls and established the first half of the Patriots’ double dynasty. I’ve always been impressed with his impact on the Patriot culture – that still lives today – as a player who wasn’t drafted by the team.

Logan Mankins

Mankins marks his second straight year as a finalist (2022-23). He’s deserving for arguably being the best player in team history not to win a Super Bowl, although he made seven Pro Bowls during his nine years of protecting Tom Brady in New England. Bill Belichick once said that Mankins was “the greatest guard I’ve ever coached.”

Bill Parcells

Parcells finishes as a finalist for the fifth time in 12 years (2011-12, 2014, 2020, 2023). Having coached the team from 1993-1996, he is credited for drafting the championship defense in Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi, and Willie McGuinest, which Bill Belichick eventually inherited and established the first half of the double dynasty with.

Patriots fans can submit their votes for who is the most deserving of being inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame this year. Voting will run through May 2, as the fans’ selections will be announced later that week.

My vote is going toward Parcells. He’s done far too much in creating the success of this franchise for him not to be in the Patriots Hall of Fame, and it’s a shame that he’s not already inducted.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductee will join Dante Scarnecchia in the 2023 Patriots Hall of Fame class, as he’s already been voted in as a lifetime contributor to the organization.