Just over a year ago, the New England Patriots made a bold move by hiring Mike Vrabel as their new head coach-a decision that raised eyebrows across the AFC East. At the time, the division belonged to Buffalo.
The Bills had taken firm control since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020, and while the Dolphins made some noise in 2023, the Patriots were largely an afterthought. That’s no longer the case.
Fast forward to now, and New England isn’t just back in the mix-they’re heading to the Super Bowl to face the Seattle Seahawks. That’s a turnaround few saw coming, and it’s sending shockwaves through the division, especially in Buffalo.
The Patriots’ resurgence didn’t happen by accident. Vrabel’s hiring was the first domino.
Then came the return of Josh McDaniels, back in Foxborough as offensive coordinator after another rocky stint as a head coach, this time with the Raiders. Say what you will about McDaniels’ head coaching résumé, but when it comes to calling plays, he’s still one of the sharpest minds in the game.
Together, Vrabel and McDaniels brought back a familiar Patriots identity-tough, disciplined, and opportunistic. With rookie quarterback Drake Maye under center, the offense found new life.
They weren’t just competitive-they were imposing. New England beat the Bills in Buffalo, and in Week 15, they jumped out to a 24-3 lead against them before a second-half collapse let the game slip away.
Still, that performance sent a clear message: the Patriots are no longer chasing-they’re leading.
And now the accolades are rolling in.
At the NFL Honors, the Patriots’ coaching duo swept the top awards. McDaniels was named AP Assistant Coach of the Year, while Vrabel took home AP Coach of the Year. It’s a stunning validation of New England’s new direction-and a gut punch to a Bills team that seemed to have finally escaped the Patriots’ shadow.
For Buffalo, this is a tough pill to swallow. The franchise is in transition, with Joe Brady now steering the offense and hopes pinned on his ability to unlock the next level.
The Bills have been contenders in recent years but haven’t been able to take that final step. And now, just when it looked like the AFC East might run through Buffalo for the foreseeable future, New England has reemerged with a vengeance.
The Patriots are back in the Super Bowl. Their head coach and offensive coordinator just won the league’s top coaching honors.
And they’ve got a young quarterback who looks like he belongs. It’s not hard to see why some are whispering about the early stages of another Patriots dynasty.
For now, Bills fans are left watching their old rivals rise again-this time with a new cast but the same relentless mindset.