Hall of Famer explains why Mike Vrabel should win Coach of the Year

From the beginning of the 2023 regular season to the end of 2024, the New England Patriots' record was 8-26.

On Sunday, with a 42-10 victory over the New York Jets, the 2025 Patriots won their 13th game of the regular season and clinched the AFC East for the first time since 2019.

Having a 13-loss season and then notching a 13-win campaign is rare. In fact, only one other team in NFL history, the 1998-99 Indianapolis Colts, has done it.

Who deserves the credit for New England's historic season? According to Hall of Fame and Super Bowl-winning defensive end Howie Long, it is head coach Mike Vrabel, who was hired earlier this year.

Speaking on "Fox NFL Sunday," Long gave several reasons as to why Vrabel deserves praise and why he should win NFL Coach of the Year.

"I'm going to say Mike Vrabel," Long said, per Fox Sports. "For an organization that was in a bit of a free-fall, I think to maximize the talent of Drake Maye and put an emphasis on protection, bringing back Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator, I think that was a big key. I think it's accountability. It's a plan. It's tough love. You see him embracing players coming back in the locker room after games. Yeah, it's the weakest schedule in the league, but you got to win football games, and they've done that at a real record pace."

The hiring of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels

In 2024, under then-OC Alex Van Pelt, the Patriots had one of the NFL's worst offenses (31st in yards, 30th in points). Now, entering Week 18, the Patriots have one of the NFL's best (fourth in yards, fifth in points).

Although several talented players were added to the mix during the offseason, including wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tackle Will Campbell, the coaching has been the difference-maker. On a weekly basis, New England's opponents have been stumped by McDaniels' play-calling. 

Vrabel's decision to delegate offensive operations to McDaniels, a six-time Super Bowl champion with nearly three decades of experience, was an excellent one.

The growth of quarterback Drake Maye

Long said that Vrabel maximizing the potential of Maye makes him a COY candidate. 

Through 17 games, Maye has completed 71.7% of his passes and tossed 30 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He is in contention for the Most Valuable Player award and has substantially grown from his rookie season, when he threw 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

One of a coach's primary duties is to develop players, and, as highlighted by Maye's rapid transformation, Vrabel has executed his role perfectly.

"Tough love"

One of Vrabel's signature moves is embracing each Patriots player heading to the locker room after a game.