The New England Patriots are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2018 season, but this is a new-look team. Mike Vrabel is the first coach not named Bill Belichick to reach the Super Bowl since Bill Parcells did so during the 1996 season. In his first year as Patriots head coach, he led the team to a 14-3 record and a perfect 9-0 road record throughout the playoffs.
By making the Super Bowl, the team's players and coaches have to take part in some of the festivities. First up on Monday night was Super Bowl 60 Media Night, where they field questions from reporters in attendance. There are usual sports reporters in attendance, but there are also entertainment reporters and content creators in attendance. While players and coaches receive the usual questions, there are also some that are out of left field.
During Vrabel's media session, he was asked if Super Bowl 60 against the Seattle Seahawks is a "must-win game." Vrabel responded to the question with class.
Mike Vrabel provides classy answer to puzzling question at Super Bowl 60 Media Night
"Every time we go out it's a must-win game," said Vrabel. "It's kind of the attitude I've always taken in the National Football League."
Like we said earlier, players and coaches participating in the NFL's biggest game of the year do get asked some questions that stray away from what is normally asked during postgame press conferences. So they do expect that when taking to the podium. Vrabel did not hesitate in answering that question.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was also asked a similar question as Vrabel.
The Patriots have the opportunity to secure their seventh Super Bowl title, which would be the most by any team in NFL history. They are currently tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers with six, and Vrabel has the chance to do so in his very first year as head coach.
Vrabel was shockingly fired by the Tennessee Titans after the 2023 season, despite turning the team into perennial contenders throughout his six-year tenure as head coach (2018-2023). After taking a year as a coaching and personnel consultant with the Cleveland Browns, the Patriots quickly hired him to be their head coach after the 2024 campaign. The decision has paid off, and quickly.
The Patriots have gone 14-3 and were in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They decisively defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round, forced five turnovers by the Houston Texans in a 28-16 victory, and limited the Bo Nix-less Denver Broncos to seven points in the AFC Championship Game. Now, they face a Seattle Seahawks team that can put up points at will on offense, and can force turnovers on defense.
On Sunday, Vrabel has the chance to win his fourth Super Bowl title with the Patriots, but his first as a head coach.