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Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Explains What Leadership Is to Him

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Douglas Santo | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 8:00 PM ET

New England Patriots' new head coach Mike Vrabel has always been known as a leader and culture builder in the NFL. When Vrabel got his first head coaching opportunity with the Tennessee Titans, he led them to four-straight winning seasons and three playoff appearances.

Vrabel's teams have always been built on grit and toughness, just as he displayed during his 14-year NFL career.

Monday morning, Vrabel met with the media and was asked about the leadership of his quarterback, Drake Maye. But his response focused more on what he believes leadership is.

"I don't think it matters if you're a quarterback or an offensive lineman or a running back or a defensive back. It's about your ability to reach certain players," Vrabel said. "We don't want to have any gaps. So hopefully, you know what to do, you're prepared, you do things the right way, you're a good listener, you can adapt to what happens and adapt to the people that you're talking to, maybe based on what they need."

Vrabel is in the midst of a rebuild in New England. The Patriots dominated the 2010s, playing in five Super Bowls and winning three. But since 2020, New England has had just one winning season.

The Patriots fired Jerod Mayo and brought in their former player Vrabel as the new head coach this season to try to bring back the grit, intensity, and discipline New England displayed during Bill Belichick's 24-year tenure.

The first step for Vrabel, building leaders and relationships in his locker room.

"Sometimes people need a little different encouraging and sometimes you need a little bit firmer hand and maybe a little bit more firmer stance," Vrabel said. "I think that's all important in understanding and getting to know each person before you can start to lead them."

#Patriots WR Pop Douglas said he’s never in his football career had a coach, physically be out there, chasing him on the field (until Mike Vrabel.)

I followed up, asking what kind of impact does that have?

“It just shows us that we have a coach that’s all in.” pic.twitter.com/WqluasMxO2
— Kayla Burton (@Kay_Breezy22) June 9, 2025

All signs from the offseason point to positivity in that department so far, as Vrabel continues to develop and grow the leadership of his young quarterback and new team.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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