The new head coach has had a positive impact on the Patriots’ free agency process so far.
Make no mistake, money talks in free agency. But while it is the primary driver behind decisions being made at this time of the year, it is not the only factor considered by players.
Teams have to be able to offer something more than that. Last year, with Bill Belichick gone and a rookie head coach replacing him in Jerod Mayo, the New England Patriots were lacking in that regard despite having vast resources.
This year, the situation looks different. While they did miss out on some marquee free agents they were interested in — most prominently WR Chris Godwin and OT Ronnie Stanley — they have been more competitive for players’ services, thanks to one key difference between 2024 and 2025.
Mike Vrabel is now running the show.
A former NFL linebacker like his predecessor, Vrabel brought an extensive coaching résumé and far-reaching network with him when he was hired by the Patriots — two things Mayo lacked last year. This difference also appears to have impacted how the team was able to maneuver through the early parts of free agency.
Just listen to the players the team introduced on Thursday afternoon. Vrabel was cited as a main reason to come aboard by all four of the team’s first batch of free agency pickups (and by another signing, Harold Landry, before them).
“When you’ve got a guy like Coach Vrabel, you don’t need a pitch,” said offensive tackle Morgan Moses. “I know how it is to hold it back for our offensive line and D-linemen out there at practice when I’m holding my son’s bags or I’m coaching his team, and it hurts when you don’t got pads on.
“So, for a guy like that to go out there and do that — and obviously he’s won in multiple facets of his career, as a player and as a coach. When you’ve got a guy, a leader of men that’s willing to step aside and put himself on the line for the betterment of the team, it’s an easy decision.”
Morgan, just like fellow free agents Carlton Davis, Robert Spillane and Milton Williams, signed a big multi-year deal to come to New England. To act as if that was not a major part of his decision to become a Patriot would be anywhere between disingenuous and naive.
However, the Patriots are not the only team competing for players’ services either. And having Vrabel in the fold, either directly or indirectly, at least appears to have had a positive impact on the process and the team’s ability to acquire talent on the whole.
Take Carlton Davis, who cited Vrabel’s time as head coach of the Tennessee Titans during his introductory presser.
“Just being somewhere where you feel prioritized and going somewhere where you are familiar with Williams,” the veteran cornerback said. “And I’ve always been a fan of Mike and how he ran Tennessee. That was part of the decision, and I’m happy to be here.”
Davis, who arrived on a three-year, $54 million deal from the Detroit Lions, has a common history with defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. Linebacker Robert Spillane, meanwhile, first entered the league as a rookie free agent signing by Vrabel’s Titans in 2018.
“I’ve known Coach Vrabel from a young age, from high school when he was a recruiter at Ohio State. I always admired his playing career and his coaching career,” Spillane explained.
“When you get around a guy like Coach Vrabel, you really feel that intensity, you feel that passion. I like to say I fall into that same boat of intensity and passion and heart. I’ve gotten along with him great in Tennessee, and I can’t wait to continue to form that relationship.”
The Patriots’ highest-priced free agent, defensive tackle Milton Williams, did not have that previous experience with Vrabel or any other member of his coaching staff. And yet, the $104 million man still cited the culture as part of why he jumped ship at seemingly the last second, moving to New England rather than sign with the Carolina Panthers.
“The Patriots were the ones that wanted me the most. I made it a priority to come here, they made me a priority,” he explained. “They value what I bring to the table as far as being a versatile player on the D-line, a leader, a hard worker. They believed in me. I’m going to try to give it back to them as much as I can.”
Williams added that the standard set at the top of the organization, starting with Vrabel and owner Robert Kraft, also cannot be disregarded either.
“You feel that,” he said.
While expectations are high and Vrabel’s pedigree an apparent pull factor for New England, the team has a long way to go before returning to its championship ways of the past. Coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons and with two head coaching changes within a 12-month span, that is just the reality the organization finds itself in.
The players brought aboard are also not oblivious to this fact. However, as Carlton Davis made sure to point out, they are taking pride in being in a position to have an active hand in helping turn the ship around.
“In this league there’s a short time here and you want to make it really efficient. And coming here, I understand the opportunity here,” he explained. “I understand it’s a rebuild. I understand that there’s great coaches here. Detroit had a great thing going, but I feel like we have a great thing going here.”
That great thing Davis mentioned is being spearheaded by Mike Vrabel. His presence has had a positive influence on the Patriots’ ability to attract free agents.