When it comes to head coaching hires throughout the NFL this offseason, you could make an argument that the Patriots bringing in Mike Vrabel was one of the biggest home runs. It's not impossible to say that it's a move Robert Kraft should've made in the 2024 offseason, but you can't turn back time, and the important thing is that Vrabel is putting his stamp on the team.
It appears that Vrabel's impact on the Patriots isn't generating respect outside of Foxborough from some analysts. While that's understandable given New England won just four games last season and hasn't won a playoff game since Super Bowl LIII, Vrabel's no-nonsense approach is winning over players and fans alike.
According to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, the Patriots' hiring of Vrabel ranked a mere 16th among the league's best 25 offseason moves. The Jaguars' hiring of Liam Coen from the Buccaneers ranked ahead of Vrabel's hire in 12th.
While the restructuring of the Patriots' defense was billed as Davenport's eighth-best move, it's interesting that Vrabel wasn't put a smidge higher.
Mike Vrabel's hiring will turn out to be a top-5 offseason move when it's all said and done
When January comes, folks around the NFL will look at the Patriots' hiring of Vrabel in a much brighter light, especially if he coaches New England to the playoffs. Davenport said that the Patriots' "biggest move of all was moving on from the disastrous Jerod Mayo era' by hiring an experienced, no-nonsense head coach in Mike Vrabel."
No disrespect to Coen - I'm a Maine guy and Coen's coaching resume includes a stop at the University of Maine - but Vrabel has the combination of experience and a better roster that Coen doesn't. It wouldn't surprise anyone if the Patriots finished with a better record than Coen's Jaguars.
Vrabel's impact on the Patriots is being underestimated here. He hasn't been afraid to get on the practice field with his players during OTAs, and his no-nonsense demeanor stands in stark contrast to Mayo's laid-back approach. You won't see any pool tables in the locker room with Vrabel in charge, that's for sure.
Even though Drake Maye has made a few early mistakes in OTAs, Vrabel and Josh McDaniels have encouraged their second-year quarterback to use these mistakes as learning experiences to improve. That's another department in which Mayo lacked last year.
When the 2025 season is all said and done, Vrabel's impacts on the Patriots will wind up higher on lists such as Davenport's. Especially if New England makes the playoffs, and sets the tone for even higher shifts come 2026.