FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Mike Vrabel was bruised. Again.
The New England Patriots head coach was charged with energy on Sunday, raising his right arm in celebration on the sideline as defensive tackle Milton Williams brought down quarterback Justin Herbert, clinching the team’s 16-3 wild-card playoff win against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Vrabel then strode purposefully to find Williams and offer his congratulations.
With Gillette Stadium vibrating as it did during the Super Bowl glory days when Vrabel donned the team’s uniform, the 6-foot-4 coach exuberantly placed his hands on the 6-3 Williams’ chest.
Unexpectedly, he received a blow from Williams’ helmet, cutting his lip.
“That’s just raw emotion. I think I head-butted everyone; I just forgot Vrabes didn’t have a helmet on,” Williams chuckled. “But he’ll be fine.”
OUR COACH. pic.twitter.com/IUObIvQRL6
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 12, 2026
And he was. Shortly after receiving care from head athletic trainer Jim Whalen on the sideline, when Vrabel was given a towel to tend to his lip, he humorously regarded it as a badge of honor.
“We’ve always said, you’ve got to be ready to shed some blood! I’m not afraid to spill a little blood either!” a still-excited Vrabel shared with players and coaches back in the locker room.
The Patriots squad had already received this lesson back in early August.
During the early days of training camp, when the Washington Commanders were in town for joint practices leading up to the first preseason game, things became intense. Vrabel found himself at the bottom of a pile and emerged with a cut on his right cheek, continuing practice while holding an ice pack against his face.
“He’s right there with us. I think the player in him comes out sometimes,” veteran tight end Hunter Henry reflected that day.
At 50, Vrabel still appears capable of holding his own on the field, yet he only swaps his signature coaching vest for football pads during practice, where players occasionally hit him hard. This approach has united the 15-3 Patriots as they prepare to host the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional playoff round on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC).
importantly, there are strong connections to this matchup. After retiring, Vrabel’s first NFL position was as the linebackers coach for the Texans in 2014. He remained with the team until 2017 before taking on the role of head coach for the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2023. Following his firing, he was not selected for six other NFL head coaching roles — including with the Patriots — leading him to serve as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns in 2024. He expressed that throughout that year, he realized how much he missed being a head coach “with everything in my soul.”
Now, a year into his time with the Patriots, the team is just two wins away from a Super Bowl appearance.
We connected with current and former teammates, colleagues, and players to illustrate the experience of playing for a Vrabel-led team, reminiscing about what it was like to share the field with him during his 14-year career, and what it’s like to coach alongside him.
Jump to:
Teammates | Colleagues | Players
Teammates
Jarvis Green, former Patriots DL (2002-09):
“Vrabel was always busting chops. I remember Bill [Belichick] would often dish it back. Vrabel, being one of the older players, would raise the stakes. Once, Bill even brought rocking chairs into the meeting room because of Vrabel’s seniority, and Vrabel would tease, ‘Bill, come out onto the field and make a play in uniform!’ Bill would chuckle, clearly enjoying the banter, signifying their solid relationship. That kind of humor was part of our success. He kept the locker room lively.”
…
“I recall Vrabel donning a Giants helmet during practice to rib Coach Pep [Pepper Johnson], who constantly praised the Giants and LT [Lawrence Taylor]. I don’t know where he found the helmet, but he said, ‘I’m going to channel LT or one of the great linebackers, since we can’t get it done over here in New England!'”
…
“Vrabel, [Rosevelt] Colvin, and I almost communicated telepathically on the field. We spent so much time studying together in the film room. It’s no surprise he’s made a remarkable head coach; he understood every aspect of the game. Even when he played safety, I thought, ‘Come on!’ He might not have been the fastest guy, but he always knew the right angles to take.”
Willie McGinest, former Patriots LB (1994-2005):
“We often joked with him about wanting to play tight end to catch touchdowns, leading us to call him a diva.”
Rosevelt Colvin, former Patriots LB (2003-07):
“Each member of our LB room had a specific role. Looking at Mike, he was exceptional. He could handle various roles, whether it was a special-teams player, a goal-line TE, OLB, or ILB. He was extremely knowledgeable, easily going toe-to-toe with Bill in mental acuity – while always adding humor that would sometimes ruffle Bill’s feathers. When [assistant coach] Rob Ryan left, we had Bill and Dean Pees’ expertise, plus Matty P [Matt Patricia], who’s like a rocket scientist, and still, Vrabel held his own. It’s evident why he’s succeeded as a head coach; he has a blend of intelligence and humor.”
Colleagues
Bill O’Brien, Boston College head coach and former Texans head coach:
“During his time with me in Houston (2014-17), Vrabel introduced the chest pad that’s now common. After we drafted [defensive end] Jadeveon Clowney [first overall in 2014], he would practice wearing it, using it with players like Clowney and Whitney Mercilus to help them learn how to maintain their block techniques. By the end of practice, he was often worn out from all the physical demonstration. I eventually called him in and said, ‘Mike, you can’t keep this level up daily; you’ll be in the training room more than the players.’
“He was an outstanding position coach. Being a former player himself, he understood the demands of the game, allowing him to physically demonstrate exactly what he expected.”
…
“We had a kicker in Houston who was notably nervous, which isn’t ideal. At the end of practice, I would typically set up pressure situations for field goals. Mike, in characteristic fashion, would tease the kicker by saying, ‘You’ll blow it!’ We eventually replaced that kicker, who ended up with Cincinnati.
“On Christmas Eve [2016], we were playing Cincinnati, needing a win to clinch the AFC South. After scoring late to take a lead, we iced their kicker before a crucial 43-yard attempt. During the timeout, Mike strolled out on the field, saying, ‘Hey, you’ll choke this one just like in practice!’ Instead, the kick went wide. We won the AFC South thanks to that!”
Todd Downing, Patriots wide receivers coach:
“I went through a challenging time while with Coach Vrabel in Tennessee, but he stood by me unwaveringly. His loyalty and commitment to both me and the team are unforgettable. He prioritizes the individual over the product, understanding that by valuing the person, they’ll be motivated to support the overall success.”
Justin Hamilton, Patriots cornerbacks coach:
“During my time as a quality control coach in Tennessee, I demonstrated plays for the scout team defense. Vrabel was the ‘mike’ linebacker for the show team in non-padded practices. Regardless of whether I explained the plays or merely showed them the card, he was always encouraging and vocal. It was a bit overwhelming, but veteran players assured me, ‘He’s just testing who he can rely on in tight moments.’ His coherent messaging, whether joking or serious, is always intentional and purpose-driven.”
Tony Dews, Patriots running backs coach:
“Whenever we gather for the first meeting, he always inquires about everyone’s family updates. Throughout the season, he remembers details. Walking the halls, it’s common to hear, ‘How’s Taj doing with hockey? How’s Savannah faring in basketball?’ He genuinely cares about the family aspect. In Tennessee, he hosted a massive summer party for everyone, complete with food trucks and activities for the kids. This year, we recreated a similar event for Halloween – complete with candy, family involvement, and fun activities. His commitment to family isn’t just talk; he truly means it.”
…
“When my daughter was in ninth grade and playing basketball, Vrabel, along with his wife and some other coaches, made a surprise visit to watch her game. Many speak about valuing family, but he actively shows up to support his players’ kids – that truly speaks volumes.”
Scott Booker, Patriots safeties coach:
“His ability to laugh at himself is remarkable. I recall a time when [former Titans linebacker] Will Compton performed a skit on Mike and his team meetings. The players were tense about how he would react. Instead, he laughed heartily, conveying to everyone that while he’s the head coach, he’s also a regular guy with whom they can joke.”
Players
Garrett Bradbury, Patriots center:
“Early in OTAs, we faced an issue with dirty washcloths left on the floor of the communal shower. Instead of just asking everyone to pick up after themselves, Vrabel approached it pragmatically. He said, ‘If equipment staff finds them on the ground, just toss them in the dryer, rather than washing them, so they can be reused.’
“Since then, we haven’t had any issues with washcloths. It’s a perfect example of his leadership style – he sets clear expectations without being overly demanding.”
Jahlani Tavai, Patriots linebacker:
“He genuinely cares about his players, as shown when he supported me during personal family challenges. He was there for me at the hospital and continues to check in on my family. It means the world to me. With a coach like that, I’m willing to give my all on the field.”
Will Campbell, Patriots offensive tackle:
“I honestly don’t think I have a PG-rated story to share.”
Stefon Diggs, Patriots receiver:
“He’s an incredible coach and almost like a father figure to me. In a short time, he taught me valuable lessons about maintaining a positive mindset and being selfless. As a receiver, it’s often challenging to prioritize the team over personal stats, but he showed me that doing small things, like finishing blocks, significantly impacts the team’s success.”
Robert Spillane, Patriots linebacker:
“One of my best Vrabel memories dates back to my rookie year [2018 with the Titans]. I thought my NFL aspirations were fading, but then Coach Vrabel called me Thursday night and encouraged me to try out for rookie minicamp. I did, and at the end of those three days, I earned a spot on the 90-man roster. During that moment in his office, he told me to call my mom. It happened to be Mother’s Day, making it an incredibly special experience for both of us.”
