The New England Patriots are looking like a completely different team this season-and that’s not by accident. Under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have gone from cellar dwellers to legitimate contenders, sitting at 11-3 with the playoffs well within reach.
For most, it’s been a stunning turnaround. But for DeAndre Hopkins?
Not so much.
Hopkins, now catching passes for the Baltimore Ravens, knows exactly what Vrabel brings to a locker room. The five-time Pro Bowler spent the 2023 season under Vrabel’s leadership in Tennessee, where he posted 75 catches, 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns. That experience gave him a front-row seat to what’s now unfolding in New England.
“They play Vrabel ball,” Hopkins said this week. “And that’s solid football-don’t make many mistakes, gonna go out and try to dominate you.”
That’s the Vrabel blueprint in a nutshell: disciplined, physical, and relentless. It’s not flashy, but it’s brutally effective.
And more importantly, it’s infectious. Hopkins pointed to Vrabel’s ability to inspire effort and accountability across the roster-something that’s clearly taken root in Foxborough.
“Having a coach like Vrabel out there coaching you, you wanna go out and compete, play hard,” Hopkins added. “I played with him in Tennessee, so I see why those guys are playing the way they’re playing. It’s just solid football.”
That kind of culture shift doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet, but it’s written all over the Patriots' record. After back-to-back four-win seasons, this team has flipped the script in dramatic fashion. They’re not just winning games-they’re doing it with purpose, poise, and a physical edge that’s become the hallmark of Vrabel’s teams.
Now comes a crucial test. The Patriots hit the road to face a Ravens squad that’s hungry and fighting for postseason position.
It’s the kind of game where Vrabel’s influence could be the difference. New England will need to lean into that identity-mistake-free football, physicality in the trenches, and the kind of intensity that makes opponents uncomfortable.
This isn’t just a team riding a hot streak. It’s a team that’s found its identity under a coach who’s been there, done that, and knows how to get the most out of his players.
"Vrabel ball" isn’t just a catchphrase-it’s a mindset. And right now, it’s working.