New England Patriots - NESN.com
Mike Vrabel doesn’t intend to shut his phone off.
So while NFL players, coaches and executives soon will depart for their summer vacations, the New England Patriots head coach intends to monitor the murmurs. They might include players at the center of trade speculation, including those unhappy with their contracts or veterans in crowded position rooms.
“I think that we have to,” Vrabel responded when asked if the Patriots will monitor all discussions, per a team-provided video. “Again, it would go for the ability to acquire good players, good people, that can help us at any position. So, I don’t know what those situations are throughout the league but I’m all for trying to make the roster better any chance that we can.”
A few who find themselves in such situations include wide receiver Terry McLaurin and star defenders T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson. That’s not to say the Patriots will pursue any or all of those players, but, again, they’ll keep lines of communication open if such a situation presents itself.
“I think that should go with every position on the roster,” Vrabel said. “We would always want to do that, I think. Trying to always continually make the roster more competitive and trying to find everyone that can continually help us, from now until the end of the season. I think that has to go on, that has to happen. Whether that does or not (play out), I don’t know. But it’s not going to keep us from looking or try to bring up ideas or players, or how we acquire players.”
The Patriots conclude mandatory minicamp Wednesday before a five-week break, which Vrabel called the most important stretch of the offseason.
