Mike Vrabel thinks the New England Patriots took a positive first step toward achieving his Year 1 goals.
The former linebacker returns to Foxborough to coach the Patriots, who fired Jerod Mayo after one season. Vrabel saw New England overhaul the roster, signing Stefon Diggs, Milton Williams, and Harold Landry III during a busy offseason.
Many observers have identified New England as a free-agency winner. Vrabel seemed to jokingly champion the label when asked about his mission to win the AFC East in 2025.
"We won March," Vrabel said at Monday's annual league meetings in Florida. "Amazing. Which is something that's comical, right? We're never just trying to win March. We want to just try to be ready when the season goes, and it's a long process."
Vrabel nevertheless called it "exciting" to see the buzz within the organization this spring.
"It's been fun to come to work," he said. "There's an energy in the building, which I am proud of. When I hear that from people around the building that maybe have been there, that makes me happy."
The Patriots have plenty of room for improvement following consecutive 4-13 seasons. They've added much-needed playmakers on each side of the football.
DeMario Douglas has led Patriots wide receivers with 561 and 621 receiving yards over the last two seasons. Diggs could give Drake Maye a significant upgrade if he successfully returns from an ACL tear.
Meanwhile, Vrabel will look to ignite a defense that registered a league-low 28 sacks last season. Landry reunites with his former Tennessee Titans head coach after notching 31.5 sacks over his last three years. Williams collected five sacks in 2024 and two in the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Winning March doesn't always translate to regular-season victories, but New England's roster is better before accounting for this year's nine draft picks. Without needing another quarterback, the Patriots can add another potential star such as Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter with the No. 4 pick.
