The New England Patriots' 2025 season confirmed two incontrovertible facts of NFL life. One is that a top NFL team needs a superb quarterback to succeed. The other is that the team must also have a Head Coach and a personnel evaluator capable of assembling a roster that can help that quarterback win.
The Patriots have both Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel, and one new Patriot, linebacker Jack Gibbens, feels the 2025 season feels like a dream.
Gibbens, when he was signed in free agency, was no stranger to Mike Vrabel and his system. He played for Vrabel in Tennessee for 2 years. He knew that when he signed on, he was playing under one of, if not the best, coaches in the NFL. (The Titans' absurd decision-making in firing Vrabel notwithstanding.)
Signed as an undrafted free agent by Vrabel in 2022, the now only 27-year-old Gibbens knew what to expect if he accepted Vrabel's offer to sign with New England. He expected excellence and a Head Coach who'd assemble a solid roster and lead them to who knew what heights. And Gibbens got exactly what he'd expected.
Jack Gibbens was a nice addition to the Patriots' inside linebacking corps
Mike Vrabel molded a superlative squad in one offseason, and Gibbens was a part of that transitional team. And both the team and Gibbens have done well together. Gibbens made significant contributions to the Patriots' brilliant season.
Now, Gibbens has expressed just how he feels about his first season playing in New England for Vrabel.
#Patriots LB Jack Gibbens:
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) January 25, 2026
“This whole year feels like a fever dream.”
Indeed, it has been dreamlike. Gibbens has played a solid role on a team of which little was expected (except by the most optimistic observers), and a whole lot more was achieved. It's been a Patriots' season for the ages, and Gibbens has been a contributor to it all.
Jack Gibbens will contribute to a Super Bowl win
Mike Vrabel finally became the Patriots' Head Coach on January 12, 2025. He joined a 2024, 4-13 team for a few reasons. One was his familiarity with the area and the Patriots hierarchy. Another was that he had quarterback Drake Maye on hand. Now, after only one offseason, he's taken the lackluster 2024 roster, completely revamped it, and remade it into a Super Bowl team.
Linebacker Jack Gibbens had a great season in Tennessee under Vrabel in 2023, and the Head Coach knew exactly what he was getting when he signed the former Titan as a free agent. He played in every game and started eight on defense during the 2025 season.
He racked up 81 total stops, four passes defended, eight tackles for loss, a forced fumble and recovery, and one sack.
Now, Gibbens is set to play in his first Super Bowl, and Vrabel is about to coach his first. It's no wonder Gibbens feels like it's all a dream. Yet, if the Patriots prevail on February eighth against the Seahawks, it will be a dream come true, and the best news will be that it won't have been a dream at all.