Patriots Legend Had Perfect Expletive To Describe Mike Vrabel’s Style

Mike Vrabel is going to bring his own style and personality to the Patriots, and it’s just what New England needs right now.

The Patriots will announce Vrabel as their new head coach Monday morning at Gillette Stadium. He’ll be expected to hit the ground running in an attempt to clean up the mess left before him over the last two years.

That work won’t be easy, of course. The Patriots have a miserable roster, and Vrabel might have to undo some of Jerod Mayo’s missteps in the latter’s only year as head coach. If there’s anyone uniquely suited to do that, though, it’s Vrabel who isn’t afraid to speak his mind — to anyone.

That he knows ball helps, too.

Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison played with Vrabel during the glory years. In a piece written for The Ringer in 2023 (definitely worth a read), Harrison described Vrabel to then-Ringer writer Kevin Clark in a way Patriots fans will simply adore as they look to get back on track.

“You always have to make sure you are on top of your game, because he’s a–hole,” Harrison told Clark in 2023. “He’s a good a–hole. I love him. He is one of the best a–holes I know.”

While Vrabel’s influence on Harrison was largely molded by their time as teammates, one of Vrabel’s ex-players, Taylor Lewan, said something similar Sunday when the news was announced.

“He’s running R3 (position) on kickoff running down, and it’s 90 degrees, full speed, juking guys, tagging off on the runner inside the 20, and he’s celebrating like he had three sacks.

“It was just so important to him.”

That sort of mentality should help a Patriots team that hasn’t played a postseason game in three years.