New England Patriots - NESN.com
The start of football season is nearly upon us, as the New England Patriots will officially kick off training camp next week. And when they do return to the field, it’s clear that head coach Mike Vrabel is expecting to see some competition.
After winning just four games in 2024, the Patriots made sweeping changes this offseason in an effort to improve their win total in 2025. Part of those changes included adding more competition to several positions on their roster.
So while the team went out and signed several big-name free agents, such as Milton Williams, Stefon Diggs, and Harold Landry III, that doesn’t mean they are guaranteed a role on the team. As Vrabel put it himself, everybody on the team is going to have to earn every single snap they get.
“If you guys thought that we weren’t gonna have competition and you weren’t gonna get exactly what you earn, then you signed up for the wrong team,” Vrabel said during mandatory minicamp, as shown in the latest episode of “Forged in Foxboro.”
In order to get the Patriots back on track, the culture inside the building at 1 Patriot Place needs to change. Ever since being hired as Jerod Mayo’s replacement earlier this offseason, Vrabel has made it clear that he wants New England to embrace the hard-nosed style of football he’s looking for them to play.
There’s reason to believe that Vrabel could lead an immediate turnaround in New England. Not only does he have familiarity with the area after winning three Super Bowls with the Pats as a player, but he also had success during his previous stint as a head coach with the Tennessee Titans.
Add in the improved talent level of the roster, and a schedule that is among the easiest in the league, and New England could be in business. It all starts with putting together good tape during training camp, though, and if Vrabel’s message gets through to his players, the first pieces of a bounceback season could end up getting put into place.
