Change is underway for the New England Patriots, and many see it as a positive shift, including one former player who enthusiastically supports the decision.
The Patriots announced Sunday that Mike Vrabel has been hired as their new head coach, just a week after parting ways with Jerod Mayo following a disappointing 4-13 season, according to CBS News. Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker and three-time Super Bowl champion, was widely considered the frontrunner for the role due to his deep ties to the organization and no-nonsense approach. Vrabel also holds a place in the Patriots Hall of Fame, further cementing his legacy in New England.
Former teammate Tedy Bruschi praised the decision on ESPN’s NFL Countdown, expressing optimism about Vrabel’s ability to turn the team around.
“He’s the right man for the job,” Bruschi said, as reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “It’s been bad for the last two years with the New England Patriots organization. … Vrabel isn’t going to joke around. Vrabel is going to tighten the screws.”
Bruschi also took aim at the Patriots’ front office, which has been criticized for its performance in recent years. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and others have promoted a “collaborative” decision-making process, but Bruschi believes this approach has failed.
“In my opinion, there are some people in the front office that need to be told, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing and you need to take a step back,'” Bruschi said. “… Sometimes they’re going to have to take a bite of ‘humble pie’ and understand ‘your opinion doesn’t matter on this one.’”
The Patriots’ struggles have been apparent, highlighted by a poor 2024 NFL Draft. Despite selecting quarterback Drake Maye at No. 3 overall, the draft was widely panned, with questionable trades and missed opportunities.
It remains unclear how the front office will operate with Vrabel at the helm. Owner Robert Kraft recently stated that Wolf would remain in the organization, but reports suggest his role could change. Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson revealed that Ryan Cowden, a former executive with the Tennessee Titans and a trusted colleague of Vrabel, is expected to join the Patriots’ front office.
Bruschi hopes Vrabel will assert control over personnel decisions and bring much-needed structure. “I’m glad it’s going to change a little bit to a coach that has more experience,” Bruschi added. As Vrabel takes the reins, Patriots fans are eager to see if this shift will reignite the team’s once-dominant legacy.