It was crucial for the New England Patriots to find the right players to make up their 2025 roster, not only to help them win games in the immediate future but also to build around for years to come. Mike Vrabel and Co. prioritized that during the offseason, and have assembled a hungry team that appears to be on track to accomplish as much as they want.
Some of the best additions to the team have been under-the-radar signings that didn't get much attention, like defensive end Cory Durden.
Although he didn't make the Patriots' 53-man roster, he was signed to the practice squad and impressed enough to be signed only two weeks after joining the team, and was a big part of their efforts against the Giants this past Monday night.
Because the New York team released Durden before heading to Foxboro, he was more motivated than ever to put on a good performance against his former team. That was apparent during their massive win, and it might have sealed his fate for the rest of the season in the eyes of his head coach.
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While speaking to reporters after their tenth straight win, Vrabel had a lot of positive things to say about Durden and how important he has become for their team.
He noted how excited he was to face the Giants, due to the organization giving up on him after just one season, and Vrabel knew the best was yet to come from him, some of which was seen on the field on Monday.
"Cory Durden's been playing a lot for us, and we brought him over here from the Giants practice squad, or from the Giants. They let him go. And that game meant a lot to him. They told him he wasn't good enough to play for the Giants, and we thought he was good enough to play for the Patriots. So I'm happy for him. Made some plays and continues to help us but also help himself. And I love that."
In the absence of players like Khyiris Tonga and Milton Williams, Durden's performance was key to the Patriots' latest win, and it might earn him a bigger role within the defense moving forward, even after his teammates are able to return.
He proved far more beneficial to them on the field than on the bench, which he also did with his performance in Week 2, and his drive to make plays was a big part of what helped the defense dominate the Giants' offense for nearly all of the game.
That's the kind of player that Vrabel wants on his team, and Durden proved without a shadow of a doubt that he is a great addition to this year's roster. He has the potential to continue being a factor for the rest of the season, and seeing his head coach praise him the way he has will likely only motivate him further.