Rob Gronkowski Raves About Mike Vrabel and Patriots' Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Hageman | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 4:00 PM ET

Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots’ iconic tight end, lit up Good Morning Football with insights on New England’s glorious past and playoff ambitions.

When asked, Gronkowski praised Robert Kraft’s 1999 gamble to snag Bill Belichick from the New York Jets, a bold move that sparked a dynasty, and dismissed their spat as Belichick “just firing back”. The Kraft-Belichick-Tom Brady era delivered six Super Bowls, nine AFC Championships, and 17 AFC East titles.

Gronkowski went on to the current state of the once-dominant Patriots when he raved about Mike Vrabel’s offseason, saying, “You really cannot question any of the moves Mike Vrabel has done in the off-season with both the draft and free agency."

Vrabel, the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year with a 54-45 Titans record, signed Stefon Diggs to a $69 million deal despite his ACL recovery and drafted left tackle Will Campbell to protect Drake Maye. Maye, with a 66.6% completion rate as a rookie, needs Vrabel’s disciplined coaching to become a franchise quarterback. If Maye is half as successful as Brady, he will also become a Patriots legend.

Team chemistry is Vrabel’s biggest challenge, as Gronkowski urged: “Coach needs to bring the team together” if the New England Patriots are to compete with the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins for a division title or Wild Card. Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion, knows the Patriots’ dynasty thrived on unity and team spirit. His task is to instill that same camaraderie and fight in a rebuilt roster.

Gronkowski, teased a trade, with "$50-60 million" in cap space (actually $60.6 million), New England may be eyeing Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin, who’s holding out for $23-25 million annually after four straight 1,000-yard seasons, including 79 catches for 1,002 yards in 2024.

Pairing McLaurin with Diggs could transform Maye’s offense, but Vrabel must navigate Washington’s reluctance to trade their star. Rebuilding a dynasty is no small feat—can Vrabel spark a playoff surge?

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

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