The story continues to grow for Mike Vrabel. He played for the New England Patriots and learned the core values that define the franchise. After retiring, he began his coaching career away from Foxborough, but it was only a matter of time before he returned.
Now he is just 60 minutes away from becoming a champion as the coach of the team he loves, and that would make him the first player and now coach to win the prestigious Vince Lombardi Trophy and earn another championship ring, only this time in his role as the franchise’s leader.
Mike Vrabel is admired by his former teammate, Rodney Harrison
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The first championship won with Brady at the controls featured a spectacular defense, and among them stood out cornerback Rodney Harrison, who shone with his comments about the Patriots’ coach.
Back then, we all knew that Mike was different.”…”You almost looked at him as a player-coach. Because Mike was so good.
He wasn’t afraid to challenge the coaches back then. He would always ask questions. It was, ‘What about this? What if this happens? Hey coach, but you told us this yesterday.’ The thing I always loved about Mike was that he was so well-prepared. We would always have constant communication. ‘Hey, Rod, if he blocks on me, I want you to replace…’ and blah-blah-blah. So, to see the level of success he’s having with a Super Bowl team, it is no surprise because we knew he was going to be a really good NFL coach.
Harrison, on site as an analyst for NBC’s Football Night in America, told USA TODAY Sports, and added.
Everyone that’s been around Vrabel knew that he would be a coach … and everybody knew he was on a fast track,” Seymour, who won his first ring as a first-round rookie during the 2001 season, told USA TODAY Sports. “He was always a coach on the field.
The things that make Mike Vrabel great
The first thing that comes up when asking one of the former teammates of the ex-linebacker about the current coach is his leadership. Both on and off the field.
And now that he is the man in charge of his team, directing its path and guiding young players, it only reinforces the idea of a cohesive roster that responds as a single unit in pursuit of results.
Another aspect highlighted by some of his former teammates is the great person Vrabel is. This proves vital for the daily communication he maintains with his players, to whom he gives full confidence so they feel secure and execute their best football.
The Patriots’ 2025 stats
Going from a 4-13 season in 2024 to an exceptional jump to 14-3, leading Mike Vrabel to win Coach of the Year, speaks volumes about hard work and dedication to his team.
- Points scored: 289. 17 per game.
- Points allowed: 417. 24.5 per game
- Total offensive yards: 4,964. 31st in the NFL
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