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The list of things that has contributed to the New England Patriots\u2019 successful 2025 season is lengthy, and starts with team owner Robert Kraft\u2019s ability to recognize and correct a mistake.<\/p>\n
The Patriots finished 4-13 in 2023, Bill Belichick\u2019s final season as the team\u2019s head coach. Kraft hired former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo to replace Belichick, even though Mayo had no prior experience as a head coach.<\/p>\n
Under Mayo, the 2024 Patriots were a dysfunctional group that lacked discipline (and talent). Mayo was heavily criticized for his in-game coaching strategy \u2014 or lack thereof \u2014 and was fired after one season and another 4-13 record.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very fond of Jerod,\u201d Kraft told The Quick Snap Podcast<\/i><\/a>. \u201cI would say that was one of the one or two hardest decisions [I\u2019ve made], because to fire a guy after one year, and by the way, it was very expensive, because it was not only his contract, but 25 other coaches. It was the worst financial implications since we\u2019ve owned the team. But I’m a fan first, and I thought this just isn’t the right situation. That’s on me.”<\/p>\n Kraft then brought in Mike Vrabel as head coach, a move that has proven to be as refreshing to Patriots fans as a cold beer on a humid day. Vrabel, a former linebacker, spent eight seasons with the Patriots and helped them win three Super Bowls during that time.<\/p>\n Vrabel was selected from a pool of candidates that included Ben Johnson, who recently completed his first season as the Chicago Bears head coach. Vrabel guided New England to the AFC East title this season and a 16-3 record entering Sunday\u2019s AFC Championship Game.<\/p>\n Vrabel, who spent six seasons as the Tennessee Titans head coach, gave the New England coaching staff a makeover, and then reinforced the notion that he has a keen eye for talent by making some shrewd moves in free agency. Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, Harold Landry III, K\u2019Lavon Chaisson and Carlton Davis III were added to a needy defense. Vrabel also signed right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury \u2014 both starters on the offensive line \u2014 and bolstered the wide receiver corps by landing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins.<\/p>\n Quarterback Drake Maye has blossomed under Vrabel<\/a> and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as well.<\/p>\n \u201cBringing Mike back, and think what our record was last year and it\u2019s reversed this year (during the regular season),\u201d Kraft told ESPN. \u201cBut he has grown and matured in a way \u2014 you know, he always had that hard side to him which made him such a great player. But he\u2019s been amazing with the culture in the locker room, how he has been able to connect. It\u2019s the hardest thing with the team is to get everyone to put team first, and their own personal records in the background. He\u2019s done that and they really feel connected to him. Think about it, we don\u2019t have one player who made All-Pro First Team and we\u2019re No. 2 in the conference.\u201d<\/p>\n Vrabel led the Titans to three playoff appearances in his first four years as the team\u2019s head coach, but was fired after Tennessee finished 6-11 in 2023. After he spent one season as a consultant with the Cleveland Browns, Vrabel\u2019s energetic, hands-on approach<\/a> to coaching landed him in New England.<\/p>\n Vrabel\u2019s vibrant coaching style was on display after most Patriots games this season. Following a victory, he could be seen in the tunnel shaking hands and hugging each member of the team as they made their way to the locker room.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first time I met him, we definitely hit it off,\u201d rookie left tackle Will Campbell said. \u201cWe\u2019re very similar. But I just feel like it is very rare to have a coach like him that can connect with so many different personalities on the team. I don\u2019t ever want to have to play for anybody else. I feel like that\u2019s the best way to sum it up.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n