New England Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel is a man on a mission. It's clear that the mission is to refashion the entire Patriots roster and return it to its former winning ways. Vrabel is moving aggressively, and at times surprisingly, with focus and determination in his personnel moves.
The latest surprise of sorts (though he was a trade candidate) was the release of former captain and the 2024 team's best linebacker before his season-ending injury, Ja'Whaun Bentley. Bentley was cashiered in the face of reports that he was hard at work redefining his body to better fit Vrabel's more mobile, attacking defense. Now, he won't get the chance.
Let's take a look at Mike Vrabel's moves in shipping out the old and bringing in the new on the Patriots roster. It's crystal clear: the 2025 version will hardly resemble the last-place disaster of 2024, when Vrabel's through with his housecleaning. And he's taking no prisoners in the process. The new regime is in motion, and make no mistake about it: Mike Vrabel is the driving force.
Mike Vrabel is cleaning house of the Patriots' 2024 roster
There was little question that owner Robert Kraft's hiring of Mike Vrabel was one of the few good decisions he's made since he ill-advisedly and foolishly allowed Tom Brady to be broomed from the scene. Gaffe-prone Kraft finally got one right in bringing Vrabel onto the scene. It was a year late, but better late than never.
It was suggested that Vrabel reshape the team in his image. He is well on his way to doing just that. If there was any doubt about who's running the show, his latest moves should dispel it. Vrabel is out to overhaul the lackluster roster that last year's personnel team assembled. And he's doing it in no uncertain terms.
Some of his moves involved brooming stalwarts of both the Belichick and Mayo regimes. Starting nose tackle Davon Godchaux, who received an ill-advised extension last offseason, was traded for a meager seventh-round pick. Defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., cornerback Jonathan Jones, and center David Andrews, all longtime starters, were either allowed to leave in free agency or were released.
Most recently, Bentley was cashiered. He was also a starter last season, making it at least five former starters who will ply their trade elsewhere. A last-place roster typically results in a last-place finish. Vrabel is determined that lots of the 2024 participants won't be around in 2025 to slow progress.
Other Patriots who could be sent packing, too
The personnel changes already cited are significant, but expect more players to be let go as Vrabel continues his house-cleaning. Two additional linebackers, making it three who were major second-level participants last season, may also be on the way out.
They are Jahlani Tavai (who is not a fan of Patriots fans booing) and underperforming former third-round pick Anfernee Jennings. It will be a surprise if either is on the opening day roster. They don't fit the profile of a Vrabel linebacker. Vrabel's matching the Raiders' offer sheet for mobile linebacker Christian Elliss is another sign of the change in direction.
Two safeties could also be at risk. They are Kyle Dugger, who was disappointing (as most of the players given 2024 extensions were) after signing a big extension before last season, and Jabrill Peppers. Don't be shocked if either or both are not on the 2025 roster on opening day.
As is the case for most of the 2024 offensive line starters at the end of the season, it's unlikely that many will still be around in September. The same can be said for the wide receiver room, which was an almost total failure in 2024, absent Pop Douglas, and the running back room, which wasn't much better. Expect changes in both units.
One thing is certain in all this: Mike Vrabel is the new sheriff in town. He's acutely aware that many, if not most, of the players on the 2024 roster do not meet NFL standards. To his credit, he evaluated their play, found it lacking, and now is sending them, in ever-increasing numbers, out of town.
If anyone in Foxborough has an illusion that they'll be making any final personnel decisions without Vrabel's approval, they'll likely be following the growing list of players out the door. Better to sit in the backroom, collect a check, make a recommendation or two, and let the big man run the show. Thus far, he's done exactly what he should have.