Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots may not be finished shopping for defenders even after signing DT Milton Williams, OLB Harold Landry, and ILB Robert Spillane, because another big-name player is now available for pickup. Micah Parsons handed in a trade request to the Dallas Cowboys on Friday (August 1). Will the Patriots pounce on the chance?
Parsons isn’t the only high-profile player going through a tough ordeal. Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders is ready to pack his bags if general manager Adam Peters doesn’t give him what he wants.
The Patriots signed Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs from free agency, but that doesn’t mean they cannot sign another one. More importantly, Vrabel still has $59,937,516 in cap space to work with.
When reporters asked Vrabel whether the Patriots consider trading for the two players, he replied,
I’m not gonna comment on players that are under contract on other teams… those respective players, those respective teams will focus on their situations, and we’ll focus on ours.
That’s as Bill Belichick-esque a reply as any. Vrabel’s a tough nut to crack, just like his old boss. That’s exactly the reason owner Robert Kraft signed him this year.
While Vrabel refused to give anything away, it’s clear that the Patriots will hold internal discussions to decide whether to pursue the two players or not.
Vrabel gave the same answer when reporters asked him about acquiring the recently ousted DT Christian Wilkins.
I think we’ll have a conversation. This is pretty new, so I don’t have all the information on where Christian is.
There’s still ample time for negotiations before teams lock their final 53-man roster. If Vrabel can lock Parsons and McLaurin, then they will instantly become among the favorites for the AFC crown (they are currently at +10000).
Mike Vrabel’s no-nonsense approach could be the key to unlocking the best in the Patriots’ players
When Vrabel played for the Patriots, he was a Swiss Army knife, meaning he could score touchdowns, block players, and was one hell of a smack talker. The 49-year-old scored in two of the three Super Bowls he won with the New England franchise.
Now he’s brought that dogged, no-nonsense approach to his training sessions at Foxboro. Footage shows that he has not been afraid to get his hands dirty alongside the boys.
Safety Jabrill Peppers once told Vrabel to take the number five training jacket off because he did not belong in it. Vrabel reportedly replied,
He told me to go and check the Patriots Hall of Fame.
Kraft realized that the Patriots lost their bite after Belichick stepped down after the 2023 campaign. He searched for someone with the same mindset, and none was better than Vrabel, who previously led the Titans to an AFC title game in 2019.
Jerod Mayo lasted just one year, and Kraft did not waste any time giving Vrabel a contract before anyone else.
The Patriots lucked out when the NFL announced the schedule for the 2025 season. Sharp Football Analysis claimed that the AFC East franchise has the second-easiest schedule in the entire league. Aside from facing Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Baker Mayfield, the Patriots will only play against teams with questionable quarterback play.
