Optimism is rampant as the Patriots under Mike Vrabel are being recognized by more and more analysts as a playoff contender in 2025. Vrabel's outstanding job in reconstructing a flawed roster has people taking notice, as well they should be.
Vrabel has done much to make his offense resemble a legitimate offensive unit. He shored up the dreadful offensive line that gave up 52 sacks in 2024 with six or so new faces. All are better than the 2024 versions. He also bolstered the receiver room with both solid veteran and rookie talent. Additionally, he upgraded the running back room with an explosive do-everything back.
That being said, it's his defense that's now getting national attention. Vrabel has done a masterful job of upgrading his defense with players who fit his attacking system. And a defining characteristic of many is that they are playmakers.
CBS Sports cites the Patriots' defense as the difference-maker
After one of the worst offseasons in the team's history in 2024, Vrabel followed it up with a masterclass.
CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan has pegged the Patriots to be right on the heels of the Bills in the AFC East and to finish second. It's a far cry from the lackluster team they fielded in 2024. He sees the defense as the key to their making a drive toward the 2025 NFL playoffs.
"The New England Patriots have plenty of buzz surrounding them heading into 2025 after hiring Mike Vrabel as their head coach and Drake Maye ascending to Year 2 after a promising rookie season. While Vrabel molding New England into his image and Maye's development will naturally be key aspects to whether or not they'll succeed in 2025, the Patriots defense could prove to be their superpower.
If they can improve to become a top-five defense in the league, that makes Maye's life on offense worlds easier and could prove to be a thorn in Buffalo's side as they push for a playoff berth."
Sullivan has settled on a great point. The old adage is that defenses win championships. That goal is a bit far-fetched for 2025, but a ride to the playoffs is not. You still need to score a lot of points, so the offense can't be discounted much, but regardless, the D is key to keeping the other guys from scoring, and it has to be there in tandem.
Mike Vrabel's defense is ready to rock the NFL
The 2024 Patriots' defense was lacking in playmakers. There were far too few sacks, interceptions, tackles for loss, and passes defended to propel the team into anything but a last-place finish. All that has changed in 2025. Vrabel is a defensive-minded coach, and he set about to forge a new defense in his image, and has done so.
He added the best free agent defensive tackle available in Super Bowl hero, Milton Williams. He also added double-digit sack production in the tandem of Harold Landry III, their best sack producer, and K'Lavon Chaisson on the edge. Those additions and the drafting of two solid rookies, one each at tackle and edge, substantially upgraded the D-line.
On the second level, Vrabel signed free agent linebacker Jack Spillane, who played for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas. Spillane is a tackling machine who had more than 150 tackles in each of the past two seasons, along with a myriad of big plays.
He and free agent signee Jack Gibbens will team with re-signed, emerging star Christian Elliss to provide a sideline-to-sideline dimension at linebacker. And to round out putting his imprint on the starting defense, Vrabel signed a lockdown cornerback to partner with Christian Gonzalez in Carlton Davis III. All told, the Patriots' defense is ready to make some serious noise in the AFC East and beyond.
Sullivan alluded to the defense being a major component of the Buffalo Bills ' big problem in 2025. He's right. But don't sell the offense under Drake Maye short either. He's ready to take the top off the NFL in 2025 with his revamped group. The Patriots won't win the AFC East Division in 2025. They'll be a playoff team, but in 2026, nothing is off the table, including dethroning the Bills.