Patriots rookie head coach Mike Vrabel attended this week’s NFL League meeting in Palm Beach but it was not his first time appearing at the annual event.
Vrabel, who signed with the Patriots last January, previously participated at the meeting when he was the Titans head coach from 2018 through 2023.
After the Patriots suffered through a 4-13 season and finished in the AFC East cellar last year, Patriots owner Robert Kraft released head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season. The Patriots then brought in Vrabel, who was a popular figure when he played on three Super Bowl winning teams in New England two decades ago. Now that he is back in the league, the 14-year (1997-2010) NFL alum was a primary attraction at the media interview sessions that began this week’s meeting.
Since the free agency signing period began last month, the Patriots have spent a great deal of their unused salary cap money acquiring veterans, including Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
“We want to win this division,” Vrabel told the media in Palm Beach, “We won March. That’s amazing! That’s comical! We’re never trying to just win March, we’re trying to be ready when the season goes, and it is a long process.”
Vrabel’s presence in the Patriots headquarters has reenergized both the football side and the business office in Foxboro.
“It’s been fun to come to work, “ the 49-year old Vrabel says. “There’s an energy in the building which I am proud of. When I hear that from people around the building who have been here for years, that makes me happy.”
Vrabel’s return also had an impact on the Competition Committee meetings that were held in February during the Combine in Indianapolis. He had served on the Committee in 2022-23 before being released by the Titans. He was one of several coaches who arrived early in Indianapolis this year and was invited to participate in the Committee’s sessions.
“Mike truly understands the game, the rule book, and has Competition Committee history,” says Troy Vincent, the NFL’s EVP of Football Operations, who serves as league liaison on the same Committee. “His thoughts and insights were invaluable to us when he was available during the Combine.”
We at NFL Alumni welcome our brother Mike Vrabel back into the League. He has not yet coached a game in New England but it is obvious his impact has been felt both in Foxboro and around the league. We wish him much success back with his old club.
