All posts by Corey Harding, Sports Editor

Sports

Patriots free agency frenzy

 
Football player signs a document.
Patriots DT Milton Williams Photo courtesy Dwight Darian/Patriots.com

Every single year, roughly in the middle of March, a new NFL season begins. The draft gets closer, fans speculate about which direction their team will go, and any player with an expiring contract, or not currently on a team enters the free agent pool. Free agency is a period where teams can negotiate with a player to offer them a contract and help improve the team’s current situation and improve their current roster.

For the Patriots, this wasn’t anything new. In years past, New England always seemed to miss out on big names. Whether it was financial reasons, or preferences by the players, it was always the same story of settling for the second or third best option.

This year though, things were different. The Patriots had the most money to spend out of all 32 teams in the league, and both the organization and fans knew that if we were going to turn things around and start winning, the Patriots needed to make a splash, and that’s exactly what they did!

For starters, Head Coach Mike Vrabel signed Harold Landry III, a veteran who played under Vrabel during his time coaching the Tennessee Titans. Landry is vital in scenarios where a defense has to step up and stop the opposing team’s running game. In Landry’s 8-year career thus far, he has amassed a solid resume of, 98 games played, 397 total tackles, 251 solo tackles, 146 assisted tackles, 50.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Landry also has one pro bowl appearance in 2021. New England has themselves a great player and game changer. For his previous efforts, Harold Landry has earned his contract and is being paid handsomely on a three-year deal worth thirty-seven million dollars, roughly averaging $14.3 million dollars per year.

Sticking to the defensive side, the next big signing was linebacker, Robert Spillane- a former Pittsburgh Steeler & Las Vegas Raider. Spillane is a very underrated veteran of the NFL whose abilities get overshadowed by bigger names. In 84 games played, Spillane has totaled, 497 total tackles, 301 solo tackles, 196 assisted tackles, 8.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble & 2 fumble recoveries, and 6 interceptions. Many people and fans consider Spillane the biggest free agent steal for the Patriots. Getting a contract worth three years and thirty-seven million dollars, roughly $14.3 million per year, just like his new teammate, Harold Landry.

New England added a big name to their secondary, reaching a deal with cornerback, Carlton Davis. The contract is worth up to $30 million dollars on a 3-year deal, averaging $10 million dollars per year before taxes. Davis is widely considered a top cornerback and is the perfect complement to young star, Christian Gonzales. Davis has been in the league for seven seasons, being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018. In his career, Davis has played in 89 games, recording 380 total tackles, 310 solo tackles, 70 assisted tackles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 11 interceptions. Davis also won a Super Bowl in 2020 as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After spending one season with the Detroit Lions in 2024, Davis finds himself in New England playing under defensive masterminds, Mike Vrabel & Terrell Williams. Williams is also very familiar with Davis as he was a member of the Detroit Lions defensive coaching staff during the 2024 season.

Now, the biggest name, and the biggest signing for New England during this free agency class. Defensive tackle, Milton Williams. Although originally intent on signing a deal with the Carolina Panthers, Williams was made an offer from New England that he could not refuse. A four-year deal worth one hundred and four million dollars. Averaging twenty-six million per year and officially making Milton Williams the highest paid player in the history of the New England Patriots franchise. Coming off of a Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles, Williams is a monster on the defensive line and his stats speak for themselves.

In four years on the Eagles, Milton played in 67 games, totaling 132 tackles, 66 solo & 66 assisted tackles, 11.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery.

As mentioned, Milton Williams won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles this past February and at only 25 years old, his career is just beginning & the Patriots are looking more dangerous for any opposing offense. The last really big-name New England signed at the time of writing this, was on the offensive side. Tackle, Morgan Moses. At 34 years old, Moses has been in the league for 11 seasons, playing for the, then Washington Redskins, who transitioned to the Washington Commanders from 2014-2020, then became a New York Jet in 2021 for a single season. Moses was then signed by the Baltimore Ravens for two years, 2022-2023. One season later, Moses signed with the Jets on a one-year deal before finally ending up in New England on a three-year deal worth $33 million dollars, averaging $11 million dollars per year before taxes. At 34 years old and playing in 166 games to this point, one can only assume that this is the final contract Morgan Moses signs in his career. Quarterback Drake Maye has more protection in the pocket now. Some experts have said that Morgan Moses is a great signing for the Patriots.

During the remainder of this period, Mew England, Elliot Wolf, Mike Vrabel all made the moves that they saw fit. Signing big names to fill needs on both sides, signing lesser-known players for depth or rotational players, and also losing some key players. The veterans that will not be returning to New England are cornerback, Jonathan Jones- arriving as an Undrafted free agent in 2016. Defensive End and captain, Deatrich Wise Jr, being drafted by New England in 2017, and eight-time team captain, Center, David Andrews. Joining the team in 2016 alongside Jones as an Undrafted free agent. Andrews earned his way up the ranks and became the anchor for this offense. The three veterans earned Super Bowl victories, Andrews & Jones in 2016 & 2018, Wise Jr. in 2018. Their paths are now different but their efforts and contributions to the Patriots franchise will never be forgotten. Wise Jr. & Jones both signed with the Washington Commanders, while Andrews is still currently a free agent and is able to sign with any team he chooses as long as he is offered. Whether Andrews wants to remain playing or call it a career, he has had one of the most successful careers of any Undrafted player.

Even though the free agency period is still active, the consensus is New England has their sights set on the draft which begins on April 24th. Even though the team still has some needs, especially on the offensive side of the ball, they immensely improved their current situation and gave a positive outlook on their upcoming season.

In January, chairman, Robert Kraft made it very clear that he wants to win. After New England spent a collective amount of $299.8 million dollars, while still having a lot of money left over to still work with, the franchise has put the league and world on notice that we want to win, and we are coming back for the throne.

All player stats sited from ESPN, all financial information came from reports from Ian Rapoport & Adam Schefter.

 

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Welcome home, Mike Vrabel

 
Mike Vrabel and Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Photo courtesy David Silverman/Patriots.com

On Jan. 12, New England Patriots Chairman, Robert Kraft made the decision to name Mike Vrabel the 16th head coach of the New England Patriots franchise ahead of the 2025 NFL season and many more going forward.

Mike Vrabel, 49, is no stranger to the NFL and the Patriots organization.

Joining the Patriots in 2001, Vrabel quickly established himself as a pivotal member of the team both on and off the field, contributing to three Super Bowl victories. (2001, 2003, 2004).

Prior to his eight-season stint in New England, Vrabel attended college at “THE” Ohio State University from 1993-1996. Foregoing his senior year, Vrabel entered the 1997 NFL draft where he was selected in the third round, 91st overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Playing four seasons under legendary head coach, Bill Cowher, Vrabel certainly picked up the character traits of discipline, hard-headed, determined, and the sheer will to want to win. It would be no surprise that those qualities caught the attention of defensive mastermind, and then Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick. Among many stars and standouts, Mike Vrabel etched his name among the greats who represented New England.

In his eight seasons in New England, Mike Vrabel recorded, 762 total tackles (485 solo & 221 assisted) 57.0 sacks, 11 interceptions, 19 forced fumbles, 10 catches for 14 yards, all resulting in touchdowns, 11 total touchdowns, 10 offensively, 1 defensively, selected to the 2007 Pro Bowl, named First-Team All-Pro in 2007, and of course, winning three Super Bowl titles in the early 2000’s. In 2009, Mike Vrabel would be traded to the Kansas City Chiefs where he would play out the remainder of his NFL career and officially retire in 2010.

However, Vrabel’s career around football was not stopping there. In 2011, Vrabel would return to his alma mater, Ohio State, and join the coaching staff as a linebackers coach. The following two seasons, Vrabel assumed the role of defensive-line coach.

In 2014, Mike Vrabel was back in the NFL, only this time contributing to the action from the sidelines. Vrabel took a job as the Houston Texans linebackers coach, and three years later in 2017, Vrabel would assume the position of defensive coordinator for the Texans.

One season later, the Tennessee Titans, a rival of the Texans would make Vrabel an offer he could not refuse, to be named the team’s next head coach. Without hesitating, the offer was accepted, and Mike Vrabel was an official NFL head coach.

In 2018, the Titans finished with a record of 9-7, however, the Vrabel Effect was in motion, and he had brought a new attitude and culture. Mike Vrabel even got the best of his former head coach, Bill Belichick.

In week 10 of 2018, the Titans and Mike Vrabel stomped Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots 34-10. At the time, some considered this a massive achievement, especially for a head coach in their first year. The following year, Tennessee was out for blood. Despite finishing with a 9-7 record again, Mike Vrabel and his players did not let that define who they were. Punching their ticket to the playoffs, their first opponent was none other than the New England Patriots. That wildcard weekend was filled with so many stories, so many narratives. The biggest headline was an unanswered question, “Will this be Tom Brady’s final game as a New England Patriot?”

While some experts were indecisive on who would win this game, the players all had one thought on their minds, to win the game. In a stunning twist of fate, the Titans entered Gillette Stadium as the underdogs and left the field as the victors. For Mike Vrabel, this was his first playoff victory as a head coach, one can only imagine how special it must have been for him to accomplish this feat on the same field where he became a household name.

As for New England, that final score of 20-13 was not the worst thing to come out of that game. That game was the final game Tom Brady would ever play for the New England Patriots, before departing for Tampa Bay later in March of 2020.

Mike Vrabel and the Titans did it again! The following week saw the Titans upset the number one seed, Baltimore Ravens 28-12, running back, Derrick Henry lead the way with 195 rushing yards and throwing a touchdown, no doubt a trick play drawn up by Mike Vrabel. Vrabel’s genius, game planning, and the way he had molded his team in a short span of time was astronomical. The Tennessee Titans were on a Cinderella run and had their sights set on football’s biggest prize. One more victory earned a trip to the Super Bowl, Unfortunately, the magical run came to an end in Kansas City- another former home of Mike Vrabel. Although Tennessee lost 35-24, the future looked bright, and Mike Vrabel had all but established himself as a legitimate head coach. In 2020, the Titans finished 11-5 and were eager to make another deep playoff run.

As quickly as the game began, the game ended. The Baltimore Ravens defeated Tennessee 20-13, getting revenge from the prior year.

In 2021, The Titans and Mike Vrabel took care of business in the regular season.

Winning 12 of their 17 games, they stood atop the standings, earning a first round BYE, and Mike Vrabel was named 2021 NFL AP Coach of The Year.

In one of the biggest upsets of the modern era, the Cincinatti Bengals came into Tennessee and pulled off a stunning upset, winning 19-16, sending Vrabel and the Titans packing much earlier than they would have liked.

During the next two seasons the Titans would finish with a combined record of 13 wins and 21 losses.

After a disappointing 2023 campaign, Mike Vrabel was let go by the Tennessee Titans, finishing with a resume of 54 wins, 45 losses, three consecutive playoff berths, two playoff victories, one AFC Championship appearance, 2021 Coach of the year, and earning first place in 2021.

Surprisingly, no team in need of a head coach reached out to Vrabel.

After the dust settled, the Cleveland Browns made Vrabel an offer to join the coaching staff.

For one season, Mike Vrabel was a part of the Cleveland Browns, representing his home state of Ohio. Vrabel served as the Coaching and personnel consultant.

His personality, attitude, and leadership helped him quickly bond with the players and formed a lot of friendships.

One season later, in a moment of destiny, the New England Patriots were in need of a head coach after going 4-13 with rookie head coach, Jerod Mayo.

It seemed like all the stars were aligning and in January of 2025, Robert Kraft conducted an interview with Mike Vrabel to be named the franchise’s next head coach.

The process took a few days to complete as New England was scheduled to interview other candidates, but there was a sense around the league that it was always going to ultimately be Mike Vrabel.

Now, presently, Mike Vrabel has been the Head Coach of the New England Patriota for a little under three months.

In that time frame, Vrabel made all the hirings he saw fit to this organization and would put the franchise in the right direction to win immediately.

The past two seasons, New England has won a combined 8 games, with a staggering 26 losses.

Given their current situation, especially financially, they have all the money to make a big splash to upgrade their roster and are picking fairly early in the upcoming NFL Draft, giving them the opportunity to select some of the best players available. Chairman, Robert Kraft is very adamant, he wants to win.

Despite the current situation New England has been in for the past five seasons with one winning season, if any head coach can take on a difficult task, able to quickly turn the ship around and turn a laughingstock of a franchise into a dominant powerhouse, if any head coach can build and establish a culture filled with, ruthless aggression, grit, determination, discipline, and the attitude of “It is not over until I win” it is Mike Vrabel.

The Organization, fanbase, and the NFL world should be excited and on the edge of their seats to see what Mike Vrabel can truly do and his capabilities to bring dominance back to New England and make the New England Patriots championship contenders once again.