How Mike Vrabel Fixed the New England Patriots in One Season

The list of things that has contributed to the New England Patriots’ successful 2025 season is lengthy, and starts with team owner Robert Kraft’s ability to recognize and correct a mistake.

The Patriots finished 4-13 in 2023, Bill Belichick’s final season as the team’s head coach. Kraft hired former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo to replace Belichick, even though Mayo had no prior experience as a head coach.

Under Mayo, the 2024 Patriots were a dysfunctional group that lacked discipline (and talent). Mayo was heavily criticized for his in-game coaching strategy — or lack thereof — and was fired after one season and another 4-13 record.

“I’m very fond of Jerod,” Kraft told The Quick Snap Podcast. “I would say that was one of the one or two hardest decisions [I’ve made], because to fire a guy after one year, and by the way, it was very expensive, because it was not only his contract, but 25 other coaches. It was the worst financial implications since we’ve owned the team. But I'm a fan first, and I thought this just isn't the right situation. That's on me."

Kraft then brought in Mike Vrabel as head coach, a move that has proven to be as refreshing to Patriots fans as a cold beer on a humid day. Vrabel, a former linebacker, spent eight seasons with the Patriots and helped them win three Super Bowls during that time.

Vrabel was selected from a pool of candidates that included Ben Johnson, who recently completed his first season as the Chicago Bears head coach. Vrabel guided New England to the AFC East title this season and a 16-3 record entering Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

Vrabel, who spent six seasons as the Tennessee Titans head coach, gave the New England coaching staff a makeover, and then reinforced the notion that he has a keen eye for talent by making some shrewd moves in free agency. Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, Harold Landry III, K’Lavon Chaisson and Carlton Davis III were added to a needy defense. Vrabel also signed right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury — both starters on the offensive line — and bolstered the wide receiver corps by landing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins.

Quarterback Drake Maye has blossomed under Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as well.

“Bringing Mike back, and think what our record was last year and it’s reversed this year (during the regular season),” Kraft told ESPN. “But he has grown and matured in a way — you know, he always had that hard side to him which made him such a great player. But he’s been amazing with the culture in the locker room, how he has been able to connect. It’s the hardest thing with the team is to get everyone to put team first, and their own personal records in the background. He’s done that and they really feel connected to him. Think about it, we don’t have one player who made All-Pro First Team and we’re No. 2 in the conference.”

Vrabel led the Titans to three playoff appearances in his first four years as the team’s head coach, but was fired after Tennessee finished 6-11 in 2023. After he spent one season as a consultant with the Cleveland Browns, Vrabel’s energetic, hands-on approach to coaching landed him in New England.

Vrabel’s vibrant coaching style was on display after most Patriots games this season. Following a victory, he could be seen in the tunnel shaking hands and hugging each member of the team as they made their way to the locker room.

“The first time I met him, we definitely hit it off,” rookie left tackle Will Campbell said. “We’re very similar. But I just feel like it is very rare to have a coach like him that can connect with so many different personalities on the team. I don’t ever want to have to play for anybody else. I feel like that’s the best way to sum it up.”