Mike Vrabel is on the warpath. The New England Patriots head coach is furious after details about wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk’s injury were leaked to the media-and he’s vowing to hunt down the source.
Vrabel took the reins in New England this season following Jerod Mayo’s departure at the end of 2024. Tasked with reviving a team that finished 4-13 under Mayo and sank to the bottom of the AFC East, Vrabel arrived with urgency and a no-nonsense attitude.
After a quiet rookie campaign, Vrabel had high hopes that Polk would emerge as a key weapon for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. But a shoulder injury has derailed those plans-Polk is expected to miss the entire 2025 season. The twist? Vrabel didn’t want that information public just yet.
Vrabel on the leak: “We’ll figure that out”
On Thursday, Fox Sports insider Jordan Schultz reported:
“The 2024 second-round pick saw multiple specialists, and surgery was determined to be the best course of action-with the goal being to be fully healthy by 2026.”
When asked about the report, Vrabel didn’t hide his frustration.
“No, I don’t know,” Vrabel said bluntly. “Other than that, I’d like to find out where some of these [reports] come from. Some of these rats around here. We’ll figure that out.”
The Patriots have yet to officially confirm the injury, and Polk has not been placed on injured reserve-possibly fueling Vrabel’s anger over the premature leak.
Patriots’ offense takes a hit
In 2024, Polk started seven of the 14 games he played, recording just 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns. While unofficially considered a second-team pick, fans and analysts hoped he’d take a leap this season and become one of Maye’s go-to targets.
Now, those hopes are dashed. Vrabel faces a double setback: losing a promising young receiver and dealing with internal leaks that threaten team cohesion.
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