Daily news and links for Wednesday
TEAM TALK
- Evan Lazar gives us the top takeaways from Mike Vrabel’s media availability at the NFL Scouting Combine. 1. Vrabel details free agency approach and pitching free agents.
- Press Conference: Mike Vrabel. (15 min. video)
- Media Availability: Mike Vrabel discusses draft strategy, coaching staff, building around Drake Maye. (15 min video)
- Patriots Unfiltered: Combine week kickoff, HC Mike Vrabel presser, NFL draft talk. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Jerry Thornton writes how Mike Vrabel showed up at the Combine and wasted no time establishing himself as the perfect man to lead the Patriots back to greatness.
- Phil Perry finds Vrabel is not looking for a long Patriots rebuild: ‘We all want to win.’
- Alex Barth gives us his 4 takeaways from Mike Vrabel at the NFL Combine. 1. Coaching staff updates.
- Greg Dudek notes Mike Vrabel didn’t come right out and say it, but he surely hinted that when it comes time to make a football decision regarding the Patriots, he will have the all-important deciding vote.
- Andrew Callahan sees Mike Vrabel pulling the Patriots back closer to a Bill Belichick model.
- Sophie Weller notes Mike Vrabel sets the record straight about the Patriots’ ‘aggressive’ plan in free agency.
- Mike Reiss notes Mike Vrabel says the Patriots will ‘be aggressive’ in free agency.
- Andrew Callahan highlights Mike Vrabel explaining how the Patriots will pursue a No. 1. wide receiver.
- Phil Perry points out that the Patriots are open to trading for a No. 1 receiver.
- Alex Barth finds the 2025 NFL free agency class looks to be shrinking as the Combine begins.
- Jon Lyons spotlights 5 potential Patriots to watch at the Combine.
- Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry react to Mike Vrabel’s press conference at the NFL Combine and weigh in on how close the organization is to contention.
- Matt Dolloff highlights Mike Vrabel giving insight into the Patriots’ defensive play-calling.
- Alex Barth talks with Jeff Howe from the NFL Combine in Indy about Mike Vrabel’s influence on the offseason, the value of the 4th overall pick in the draft, and the latest developments in the free agency market. (13 min.)
- Pats Procrastination podcast: Clare and Chudders talk Pats at the Combine and draft prospects for 2025. (31 min.)
- A Clare Perspective podcast: Clare welcomes back Andy Hart on this 4th anniversary celebration mailbag episode. (48 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Jordan Dajani (CBS Sports) Biggest needs for every AFC team this offseason; how will Patriots, Raiders spend money? Patriots: OL. “… New England needs to add starters at both tackle and on the interior.”
- Albert Breer (SI) NFL Combine 2025 Notes: Predicting fast-rising prospects.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL combine live updates: Latest news as coaches, GMs take the podium in Indy to begin draft season.
- Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) The NFL Scouting Combine anger translator: Coaches and GMs often can’t say what they really feel at the Combine, so we took a stab at decoding some of their messages—from thoughts on Aaron Rodgers to Myles Garrett’s trade request to the tush push.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Titans have been fielding trade calls about No. 1 pick.
- Nick Shook (NFL.com) One team fit for 12 notable free agents in 2025. No Pats.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL trade rumors: Seven big names who could draw interest in free agency.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Matthew Stafford trade rumors: Raiders’ Tom Brady trying to recruit Rams QB to Las Vegas, per report.
- Matt Yoder (Awful Announing) Adam Schefter slams attempted ban of tush push: ‘It’s football!’
- Keith Jenkins (ESPN) What are the winningest regions in sports?
- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Scout’s Notebook: 2025 NFL mock draft 2.0. Pats pick LSU OT Will Campbell at No. 4.
- Patrick Andres (SI) Jets coach Aaron Glenn acknowledges some players upset with Aaron Rodgers decision.
- Mike Kadlick (SI) NFL Insider Cecil Lammey calls report of Rob Gronkowski comeback attempt ‘nonsense’.