During the Patriots' voluntary offseason program, much conversation has been stirred up based on the team's impressive draft, which has been topped by the continuous updates the social team has posted.
It has prompted debate about who might make the team, which has only been heightened with recent player interviews, and how the new coaching staff is working with the roster. Seeing the first photos of Drake Maye and Josh McDaniels together sparked a lot of excitement, but it appears that has been topped with a new photo of Mike Vrabel taking part in defensive drills.
The former linebacker is known for being engrossed in coaching to the point of participating in physical drills, something many players have touted him for in the past. He has already returned to his old ways in New England, as he was seen wearing a yellow practice jersey during one of the more recent practices.
Although that appears standard for Vrabel, it was the number choice that got fans riled up, and not for good reason.
Patriots fans feel Mike Vrabel was mocking Jerod Mayo during a recent practice
The image of the Patriots' head coach was posted on social media recently and immediately got fans talking. It wasn't because Vrabel was getting hands-on during a practice, but more about the yellow jersey donning No. 51, which was Jerod Mayo's number with the Patriots.
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The two linebackers were teammates for one season during Mayo's rookie year in 2008, and there is no indication that the two have a contentious relationship. So, assuming Vrabel is taking a shot at Mayo seems a bit far-fetched.
It would be quite a statement to make so early on in his Patriots tenure, too, and it wouldn't be necessarily well received, no matter how much fans were not fond of the Jerod Mayo era in 2024.
It's probably fairer to assume that Vrabel didn't give much thought to his jersey selection and just took whatever was available. That should be the hope of most fans, anyway, because there certainly does not need to be any more negativity or drama in Foxboro, as they have dealt with their fair share over the years, but especially recently.