After years of rumors, the New England Patriots finally hired Mike Vrabel to be their head coach for the 2025 NFL season. In a surprising turn of events, Vrabel finds himself in a situation where he can’t be fired due to past mistakes made by owner Robert Kraft.
The Times of India reported on Monday that the Patriots are forced to pay $28 million combined to former head coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo. When Kraft fired Belichick in 2023, the franchise still owed roughly $25 million on his contract. In addition, Mayo was fired in 2o24 with at least $3.5 million annually left on his deal. The franchise still owes them $28 million annually.
Nick Cattles hosted a recent episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast and disclosed that Robert Kraft is unlikely to fire a third head coach in three years. “If you look at Mike Vrabel realistically in 2025, this is, for all intents and purposes, a free season.”
Why Can’t Robert Kraft Fire Mike Vrabel?
Vrabel is making significant money as the Patriots head coach. It’s extremely unlikely that Kraft will want to add to the $28 million debt instead of paying it off over the next couple of years. The reality also is if the team doesn’t improve and Vrabel were to be fired, the franchise would need to pay for three former head coaches and the replacement.
Despite his immunity for the season, Vrabel is expected to establish a strong, disciplined culture again in New England. “I don’t think Vrabel is going to coach the team like it’s a ‘free season,’ said Cattles. “He has pride in what he does. He wants to run a program that wins football games.”
“In the interview process, Mike showed us that he had a very deep understanding of our current team,” Kraft explained. “Most importantly, he had a clear, focused strategy of how to get us back to the championship way that is not only so important to all of us, but also something that I think our fan base really deserves and expects.”
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has also returned. The roster has been revamped as the team works to turn Drake Maye into the team’s long-term quarterback. The team could go 2-15 this season, and Vrabel won’t be fired. However, that is clearly not the plan for the 2025 season.
How Can Vrabel’s Coaching Style Help the Patriots Win Again?
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report provided a preview for the seven new head coaches in the NFL. Vrabel was ranked fourth, highlighting his mastery in weekly preparation and situational football he learned under Belichick. The feature predicts the Patriots could earn as many as eight wins.
“We’re going to earn the right to be here every day,” Vrabel declared during his introductory press conference in January. “As a team, we’re going to earn everything from the head coach all the way down to the players. We’re going to earn the right to be here every single day.”
NFL critics expect the Patriots to improve this season. The development of Drake Maye will be essential to the team’s success. But it will be Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff who set the tone to make the Patriots a competitive football team again.
