The Patriots' dynasty was something to behold, and it was easy during that incredible run to think things would never change. They did, and probably a few years earlier than they should have, when Bill Belichick ill-advisedly let Tom Brady go and began a downward spiral that ultimately led to his dismissal from the Patriots four years later.
Brady had some key teammates during that run, and one of them is now the key to the destiny of the 2025 Patriots and beyond. It's the Head Coach and de facto general manager, Mike Vrabel, whom the team finally hired, though a year late. While Vrabel mainly played linebacker for the Pats, it can hardly be forgotten that he had an impeccable record catching passes from Brady. Vrabel caught 10 passes from Brady, and remarkably, each one went for a touchdown.
But there's more to the story than just Vrabel's excellent defense and ability to score a touchdown every time he caught a pass. A strong bond of friendship and respect had also developed over the years between the two Super Bowl winners.
Tom Brady endorses Mike Vrabel's mindset and ability to succeed
Brady's respect for his former teammate, Vrabel, and his expectations for him as the new Patriots Head Coach are evident in his interview with DJ Siddiqi of SportsCasting.
“Mike’s a great coach, and the Patriots have a great leader for that organization. I know he’s going to do a great job. I know he’s all about tough, disciplined, hard-nosed physical brand of football. He’s a terrific coach and a great friend of mine still."
Brady praised Vrabel's hard-nosed approach to the game, as well as his uber-competitiveness, a trait he attributes to himself as well.
“When you’re in tough competition, you’re not going to make excuses, you’re going to go out there and give it your best every day. I love that mentality. I’ve had that mentality for a long time. We all need that mentality: no excuses, no complaints, go out there and get it done, have great communication. If you fail, then get your a... back up and go try again and learn from it, and develop resilience and self-confidence and be better the next time. You just keep trying until you succeed.”
Tom Brady and Mike Vrabel, kindred spirits on the football field
Brady has high respect for Vrabel's coaching ability, as well he should. Vrabel earned that in the NFL. Nowhere can that be more evident than in winning the NFL Coach of the Year Award, which Vrabel did for 2021. Brady attributes his success to grit and the determination that when things don't go as planned, you get right up and get back in the race.
While Brady said he won't make any predictions, he does evince strong admiration for both Vrabel and the Patriots' organization. He also makes it crystal clear that success has to be earned. That's a fact that both he and Vrabel learned as they climbed their way to the top of the NFL pyramid years ago.
Brady's words had to be music to the ears of his old teammate and fellow Super Bowl winner. There is no doubt that Vrabel has supreme confidence in his abilities. That included undertaking the massive task of transforming a last-place NFL franchise, such as the 2024 Patriots, back into a contender. It's not for the faint of heart. Yet, the spirit, determination, and unwillingness to quit cited by Brady reinforce the notion that Vrabel will make the Patriots a winner once more.
That's why there are already predictions that the Patriots will be a playoff team and maybe more in 2025. Brady's confidence in Vrabel reinforces that he has the right stuff to make that happen. Multi-year rebuilds are for losers. Vrabel will have none of it. The Patriots are poised to win in 2025. We'll see if that prediction is accurate beginning in September.