The 2025 Patriots' offseason has been one for the ages. It's been one that may not have its equal anywhere in the team's history, with one notable exception. That would be the very fortuitous drafting of Tom Brady with the 199th pick in the 2000 draft primarily at the urging of the Patriots terrific assistant coach, Dick Rehbein. No offseason will ever outrank that one.
This offseason, with Mike Vrabel in the captain's seat, there's been a complete reversal of the dismal performance of 2024 when absent drafting Drake Maye, the offseason graded about a D+/F. Vrabel turned all that on its head this year.
Since the offseason determines your season, its importance can't be overestimated. Vrabel knew that, and his efforts bore that out. They've been recognized by Bleacher Report, which ranked two aspects of the Patriots' offseason among their top 25 of 2025.
Bleacher Report praises two aspects of the Patriots' offseason
Mike Vrabel aced the 2025 offseason. After being hired, he hit the ground running. He crushed free agency, conducted a terrific draft, and had a masterful undrafted free agency period. It was a virtuoso performance, deserving of a case study at the Harvard Business School on "How to rebuild an NFL team in one offseason". It was that good.
Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport ranked "the 25 Best moves of the 2025 NFL offseason". Unsurprisingly, he included the Patriots in his listing. He highlighted the Patriots in two of his top 25, at numbers 16 and 8, a high compliment to Vrabel's efforts.
"The Patriots entered the 2025 offseason with a litany of issues on both sides of the ball and have addressed many, whether it’s drafting offensive tackle Will Campbell fourth overall or spending big bucks on improving the defense in free agency. But the biggest move of all was moving on from the disastrous Jerod Mayo "era" by hiring an experienced, no-nonsense head coach in Mike Vrabel."
He lauded the hiring of Vrabel, whom he considered the key to the whole business. Astutely, he also cited drafting Will Campbell to finally professionally man the left tackle position, the second most important on the team. And, he gave kudos to the defensive rebuild in both items.
The Patriots' defensive rebuild is a key offseason plus, too
As a defensive coach, it made perfect sense for Mike Vrabel to move expeditiously and initially to revamp a defense that had fallen off a cliff in about 18 months. It had gone from top-five to a near bottom-dweller. Vrabel moved early and often to reconstitute his favorite side of the ball.
"The Patriots fell apart defensively down the stretch last season, and they spent massively in an effort to avoid a repeat in 2025. Defensive tackle Milton Williams got the biggest contract of any defender to switch teams in the offseason, and edge-rusher Harold Landry III, linebacker Robert Spillane and cornerback Carlton Davis III all received sizable deals in free agency."
Davenport hit the key free agency additions, and a close look reveals they impact all three levels of the defense, plus. On the D-line, he added arguably the best defensive tackle available in Milton Williams, the Super Bowl hero. He's a big play and a big game guy to add to Christian Barmore, Keion White, and rookie Joshua Farmer in a modern day. "Fearsome Foursome".
On the edge, he added bona fide NFL sack artist, Harold Landry III. Landry has 50 1/2 sacks in his six seasons and is the best Patriots pass rusher. At linebacker, Vrabel landed a veritable tackling machine and leader in Robert Spillane. And, in the defensive backfield, he added lockdown corner, Carlton Davis III. He'll partner with All-Pro Christian Gonzalez in one of the NFL's best cornerback duos.
Davenport didn't give much credit to the Patriots' dramatic offensive overhaul absent Campbell. The O-line remake, wide receiver room revamp, and adding truly explosive game-breaking talents could have warranted a third kudo!
Indeed, a lot has been done to remake that 2024 lethargic offense into a potential NFL powerhouse. Yet, being recognized in two out of 25 of this offseason's best moves isn't bad. Patriot Nation will have to be satisfied with only those two, for now.