Mike Vrabel's influence on the 2025 New England Patriots led to a Super Bowl run, defying the odds and proving that a rebuild can take multiple years, but that doesn't mean you can't have the ultimate success early on. And although they fell short in the biggest game, the foundation has been laid for a continued rise to the top, especially in the AFC East.
They will remain a legitimate contender against the previous division, as they split the season with the Bills. That's not exactly what Buffalo fans want to hear, and they're already proclaiming that the division will be theirs once again after seeing how the Patriots fared in the Super Bowl.
One of their loudest supporters, former quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, is now regurgitating that prediction, going on his podcast with Andrew Whitworth to declare his confidence in his one-time team to take back the AFC East crown in 2026.
"The Bills are going after [the Patriots] next year. The Bills are gonna retake the division Whit. I have a strong feeling about that."
— Fitz & Whit (@fitzandwhit) February 10, 2026
Ryan Fitzpatrick has a message for Bills Mafia after Super Bowl LX 👀@robinhoodapp pic.twitter.com/3z99hH5v4q
Given the recency bias, it's unsurprising to hear this from Fitzpatrick, but it feels a bit presumptuous considering how tough it was for the Bills to beat the Patriots this season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is far too confident in the Bills regaining the AFC East from the Patriots
New England's poor performance in the Super Bowl was bound to bring out the doubters and rivals, who were quick to share their early confidence well ahead of the 2026 season.
Although they weren't able to make it to the Championship game themselves, the rise and fall of Drake Maye was something many enjoyed, and that makes them feel more comfortable suggesting Josh Allen will get one over on New England next year to regain the division.
It's certainly possible, and given the last six years of Buffalo dominating those in the AFC East, it's not far-fetched to believe they could steal it back this fall.
However, the Patriots have more cap space, most of their current roster set to return, and more draft picks to upgrade their team, which the Bills cannot say. That could be the biggest difference-maker in how their offseasons progress, which should take a hit on fans' confidence about taking back the division.
Not to mention, the Patriots will have Mike Vrabel still running the show, while the Bills will have a new head coach in charge, one that many fans were not pleased about replacing Sean McDermott.
There are a lot of factors that appear to be swinging in New England's favor, and while that can easily change, Fitzpatrick and the fans' confidence that the division will be theirs to lose seems premature.