The Patriots' 2024 roster has been massively revamped by Mike Vrabel, the new Head Coach and de facto GM. The changes are dramatic so far, and more can be expected. Vrabel is a man on a mission—and that is the playoffs in 2025. Any other goals (except higher) are ludicrous.
Expectations in some circles are high, and justifiably so. The lackluster 2024 team went 4-13 and lost six of the 13 games by a single score. Vrabel and his coaching staff will make up a few of those just in coaching. But huge personnel revamps are underway, and they will add more fuel to the fire of a Patriots' 2025 winning season - and more.
Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports sees it differently. While citing the Patriots' major overhaul, they still rate the Pats 10th in the AFC, a near bottom-third of the Conference. Here, we'll dispel that gloomy prediction and offer why the Patriot will be a whole lot better than that.
The 2025 Patriots are a completely different team than last season
Patriots coaching staff is comprised of experienced NFL winners
Mike Vrabel's hiring was the singular best move of the post-Tom Brady era in Foxborough, only rivalled by the drafting of Drake Maye, the franchise's linchpin. Vrabel is a proven winner as a Head Coach in the NFL, and so are his two coordinators, Josh McDaniels on offense and Terrell Williams on defense. They alone improve the squad significantly.
Additionally, Vrabel's positive influence on personnel is unmistakable. His approach and the players he has already brought into his team are a massive upgrade over 2024. Last offseason's grade was about a D (only that high because of drafting Drake Maye). This offseason graded a straight A. The difference is Vrabel.
Patriots' offense is miles ahead of 2024
Besides Vrabel's and McDaniels' steady hands, the 2025 offense has been remodelled to compete. Vrabel has already added three veteran offensive linemen in free agency. He also drafted two left tackles, including LSU's Will Campbell, the best in the draft, and added a future starting center, Georgia's Jared Wilson. Another veteran O-lineman could still be added.
He added two free agents in the skill positions: star wide receiver Stefon Diggs and a very solid big-play wideout, Mack Hollins. He also drafted home-run-hitting running back, Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson, in the second round, and explosive wide receiver, Kyle Williams from Washington State, in the third. No one on the 2024 team could do what these two players can.
In undrafted free agency, he added a multi-role running back, Lan Larison from UC Davis, a prolific slot receiver, Efton Chism III from Eastern Washington, and an underrated tight end, Alabama's CJ Dippre. Expect all of them to make the team. This offense is a dramatic upgrade over 2024.
Patriots' defense is nothing like in 2024
Vrabel knows big plays win games, and he's restocked his defense with free agent playmakers at all three levels. Defensive tackle, Milton Williams, edges Harold Landry III and K'Lavon Chaisson, and linebackers Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens all fit that bill. So does superb lockdown cornerback Carlton Davis III, who'll team with Christian Gonzalez in maybe the best tandem in the NFL.
He also added defensive playmakers in the draft. In the fourth round, he added defensive tackle Joshua Farmer from Florida State, an addition at a position of sneaky need. In addition, he further bolstered the edge (one of 2024's weakest positions) with another sack artist, LSU's Bradyn Swinson.
All these changes put cbssports.com's prediction of the Pats' standing in the AFC on thin ice. The 2025 Patriots will make the playoffs and challenge the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East title. The lazy days for the Pats' AFC East opponents are over. The 2025 New England Patriots are poised to win.