Why Mike Vrabel Plans To Promote Unique Culture Within Patriots

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel isn’t afraid to crack locker-room jokes from time to time, even if it’s at his own expense.

Having spent 14 seasons in an NFL locker room as a player and another 10 filling various coaching roles for the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, Vrabel is awfully familiar with the nature. The 49-year-old is business first, however, that won’t deter Vrabel from allowing New England’s players to let loose occasionally and maintain a positive work environment in Foxborough.

Coming off a second straight 4-13, bottom-of-the-AFC East finish, Vrabel plans to ease the tensions while stepping in as New England’s newest head coach.

“I want to be authentic. I want to make a connection with them,” Vrabel told WBZ’s Dan Roche. “I can laugh at myself and I’m willing to give myself to the team, and if they rally around making fun of me in a rookie skit I’m more than happy with it. That means they’re paying attention. I like when they imitate me and make fun of me, it means they’re paying attention in team meetings.”

During Vrabel’s six-year run as head coach of the Titans, the three-time Super Bowl champion experienced an all-in-good-fun roast from Tennessee’s locker room. Will Compton, a Tennessee linebacker at the time, performed an impersonation of Vrabel during a team film session in 2018, which left all in attendance — including Vrabel — fighting back tears of laughter.

Vrabel left the Titans in 2023 after going 54-45 with a 2-3 record in the playoffs.

The former Patriots linebacker of eight seasons, Vrabel, doesn’t view winning as the only objective as the team’s head coach.

“Outside of winning, I like helping contribute to make players better,” Vrabel said, per WBZ. “You know, finding ways to help them do their job better. We’re all in this sport, this professional football to provide for our families. That’s what it is. And if I can help them and they play better then that means help the team and in turn, they’re gonna be able to help their families. And I’m open and honest about that, having gone through that as a player.”

It’s been four years since the Patriots last appeared in the playoffs and seven years since the team secured a playoff victory. The mountain climb of repairing the franchise’s winning tradition took a hit last season under Jerod Mayo’s brief head-coaching run, leaving team owner Robert Kraft no choice but to start from scratch.

Now, with Vrabel as team commander, optimism has begun to spread. Former Vrabel-coached players have even vouched for Vrabel, including former Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan.

“New England Patriots fans, you have a lot to be excited about,” Lewan said Sunday on X . “You got Mike Vrabel in the building and the culture is going to be incredible. Those tough, one-score games — you’re going to win them. That is how Mike Vrabel works. That guy is going to have his team knowing the ins and outs.”

Vrabel and the Patriots will now continue checking off the remaining boxes for their offseason agenda in preparation for 2025.