On the play that effectively punched New England’s ticket to the Super Bowl, the Patriots’ sideline looked more like a hockey bench than a football field. As the officials stood over the ball, Mike Vrabel took full advantage of a Broncos substitution, cycling in fresh defensive linemen for what was clearly going to be a passing down. That move - subtle, calculated, and pure Vrabel - paid off in a big way.
Jarrett Stidham, under pressure almost immediately, forced a deep throw down the sideline. Christian Gonzalez was waiting.
Interception. Ballgame.
It was the kind of situational mastery we’ve seen from Vrabel throughout this postseason. But what’s really interesting is how much of his defensive identity seems to have sharpened after a year out of the head coaching spotlight. Remember, Vrabel spent the 2024 season as a “coaching and personnel consultant” in Cleveland - and it’s becoming clearer that the time spent with Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz left a lasting impression.
The two have a long-standing relationship from their time together in Tennessee, and according to CBS analyst Adam Archuleta, Schwartz’s fingerprints are all over the Patriots’ revamped defensive approach. Gone is the week-to-week shapeshifting we saw in Vrabel’s Titans defenses. In its place: a more streamlined, fundamentals-first philosophy that emphasizes speed, disruption, and execution - the hallmarks of a Schwartz-coached unit.
And the results? They speak for themselves.
Through three playoff games, the Patriots’ defense has been the best in the postseason. They’re giving up just 8.7 points per game, allowing only 209.7 total yards on average, and holding opponents to a stingy 71.3 rushing yards per game.
They’ve also racked up 10 sacks - and they’re doing it with depth, not just star power. Vrabel’s been rotating bodies like a hockey coach, keeping legs fresh and pressure constant.
It’s not the exact same scheme Schwartz runs in Cleveland - Vrabel’s group generates most of its heat up the middle, thanks to a trio of disruptive tackles in Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Khyiris Tonga. The Browns, on the other hand, lean heavily on edge pressure with Myles Garrett leading the charge.
But the philosophy? The DNA?
That’s unmistakably influenced by Schwartz.
Back in Week 8, when the Patriots hosted the Browns, Vrabel offered a telling breakdown of Schwartz’s defense: “They’re fast. They’re disruptive.
They put pressure on the quarterback. They do it through their players.
They understand what they want to do and how they want to play, and they force you into mistakes.”
Sound familiar? That’s been the Patriots’ defensive identity all postseason long.
So, did Cleveland miss a golden opportunity by letting Vrabel walk out of their building after 2024? Maybe. But with Kevin Stefanski freshly extended and Deshaun Watson rehabbing an Achilles injury, the Browns weren’t in position to shake things up last offseason.
Now, they may be watching the ripple effects of that decision play out in real time. First, Vrabel.
And if they’re not careful, Jim Schwartz could be next. With a new offensive regime under Todd Monken in place, Cleveland would be wise to make sure they’re aligned with one of the league’s most respected defensive minds - before Foxboro turns into a coaching pipeline.
For now, though, Vrabel’s Patriots are the ones still playing - and they’re doing it with a defense that’s not just good, but built for January football. Sound.
Fast. Relentless.
And just maybe, Super Bowl-bound because of it.