The Patriots brought in a lot of fresh faces on defense and changed the D's entire complexion to befit Mike Vrabel's defense. The read-and-react Belichick system is a thing of the past, and a more forward-thinking, attacking approach is in the works.
Vrabel brought in some players who fit that profile and released a few who didn't. Among the incomings were defensive tackles, free agent Milton Williams, and draftee Joshua Farmer; edge players, free agent K'Lavon Chaisson and draftee Bradyn Swinson; and sideline-to-sideline linebackers Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens.
The best in the sack department, with bona fide NFL credentials, was another edge, Harold Landry III, formerly of Boston College and the Titans. Landry was a six-year veteran of the Titans and racked up 50.5 sacks during those seasons. He's the Patriots' most accomplished sack artist and is expected to be a big part of their pass rush in 2025.
Harold Landry III checks a lot of boxes for Mike Vrabel's defense
Landry's signing was met with mixed reviews, with some stats used to try to diminish his ability. Whatever those stats suggest, in the past three seasons he played (he missed 2022 with an injury), he had 31.5 sacks to his credit. That's far and away the best on the Patriots. Sacks are big plays, and Landry produces them. Last season, he had nine sacks, 42 total stops, 15 tackles for loss, and 15 total quarterback hits.
In addition, the soon-to-be-29-year-old young veteran was drafted while Vrabel was in charge in Tennessee and played for the coach for five seasons. He knows his system inside and out and can mentor the other players.
So there's no doubt that for a team that totalled only 28 sacks in 2024, Landry's ability to get to the quarterback will be most welcome on the field to the new and revised Mike Vrabel defense. But that's not the only place Landry's presence will be felt. It will be part and parcel of the new culture Vrabel is instituting in Foxborough, and that's also a major part of the equation.
The former Titan will add a positive team-first attitude to the defense
While speaking to ESPN's Mike Reiss last week, Landry had some thoughts on his place on the team and how he'll fit in with the rest of the defense and all of his teammates.
"Just in the locker room, I feel like I mesh well with everybody. I feel like we're building a great culture here right now. If we come out and take it one day at a time, and stack good days, and just come to work and everyone buys in, we have a chance to do something here. That's exciting."
Whether you buy into the whole culture-speak business or not, Vrabel is trying to build a team camaraderie that will elevate the Patriots from AFC East doormats to the playoffs and beyond, starting in 2025. Obviously, Landry is committed to those objectives and sees himself as a key part of achieving them in Foxborough.
Having toiled for Vrabel for five seasons previously, Harold Landry III knows exactly what's required of players by the new Head Coach. His mentoring of both veterans from prior regimes and rookies will be invaluable in achieving Vrabel's cultural shift. Expect Landry's contributions to be significant both on and off the field. It's all part of building a winner, and both Vrabel and Landry know how to do it.