Patriots' Mike Vrabel Focused on Goals Beyond Division Title

From the start of training camp through the team’s four preseason games, it became clear that Vrabel’s message had resonated with his players. New England’s on-field execution became sharper, while the vibe surrounding the team took on a greater sense of camaraderie. The former Pats’ linebacker vowed to remove the “entitlement” from the team and thus create an aura of self-responsibility.

While New England’s front office worked diligently to stack its roster with high-quality, high-character players, they are now devoid of any direct link to the “dynasty” days of former coach Bill Belichick and legendary quarterback Tom Brady. As such, the unconditional embrace of Vrabel’s message has led to a season which will remembered long beyond its end — due largely in part to the coach’s unending desire to seek improvement.

“I think that's the biggest thing … just trying to really target the things that can reasonably be improved from a technical standpoint and just things that come up throughout the game … That's what you do. You stay consistent and just continue to coach. Again, I always talk about coaching the action and not the result, making sure that the actions are positive and what we're looking for to help the team.”

On an individual level, Vrabel has reached some notable coaching milestones in just his first season in Foxborough. He earned his first 13-win season as a head coach with the Pats’ 42-10 victory over the New York Jets in Week 17. In doing so, he joins Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings as the most recent head coaches to accomplish the feat. The only NFL head coaches with more than 13 wins in their first season coaching a team are the 14 wins by George Seifert in 1989 with the San Francisco 49ers and the 14 wins by Jim Caldwell with the Indianapolis Colts in 2009.

Vrabel also proved to be the ultimate road warrior, by leading the Pats to wins in his first eight games away from the friendly confines of Gillette Stadium. New England was the only undefeated team on the road in 2025. As such, Vrabel now sits behind only Seifert (1989-90), who won his first 16 road games with the 49ers. Nevertheless, he reminded his team — now clad in divisional championship hats and t-shirts — that success would be fleeting if they forsake the complete set of goals adopted at the outset of offseason workouts in April.

“April 7th we said three things: win the division, host home playoff games, compete for championships,” Vrabel said. “We got the first one taken care of …"

”This season is far from being over. We can celebrate this and enjoy this, but it's far from being over … [That being said,] congratulations. All the credit goes to you guys."

Should Vrabel and his team continue on their path of present success, the best may be yet to come for the New England Patriots in the upcoming new year.