Mike Vrabel’s return to New England was already a headline-grabber. Now, it’s official: the Patriots’ head coach is the NFL Coach of the Year. Again.
In just his first season at the helm in Foxborough, Vrabel has led the Patriots to a 14-3 record-their best finish since 2016-and punched a ticket to Super Bowl LX. It’s a remarkable turnaround, and the league took notice.
This marks the second time Vrabel has earned the award, the first coming back in 2021. But what he's done this year?
That’s something special.
Vrabel’s fingerprints are all over this team. He’s taken a young quarterback in Drake Maye and helped mold him into one of the most composed, dynamic signal-callers in the league.
Maye’s leap in year two has been nothing short of impressive, and it’s not just about the stats-it’s the poise, the command, the way he’s reading defenses like a vet. That doesn’t happen without a coach who knows how to develop talent and build trust.
On the other side of the ball, Vrabel has turned the Patriots’ defense into a disciplined, balanced unit that’s been the backbone of their playoff run. They’re not flashy, but they’re fundamentally sound-and in the postseason, that travels.
Vrabel edged out a strong field of finalists, including Mike Macdonald, to claim the award. It’s a testament to a coaching philosophy that blends toughness with adaptability, and a culture that’s clearly resonating with players.
With Super Bowl LX looming, the Patriots are putting the final touches on their prep. According to a pool report, the team held a 90-minute session at Stanford Stadium-crisp, focused, and very much in line with the Vrabel way.
No wasted motion. No distractions.
Just business.
But that doesn’t mean Vrabel’s forgotten how to keep things loose. He’s kept some Foxborough traditions alive, including ending stretches with “Friday” by Sir Charles Jones-a small but telling nod to the team’s identity.
And in a moment that showed just how much fun this group is having, assistant coaches Riley Larkin and Chuckie Keeton got in on the action, catching touchdowns during a light-hearted drill. Keeton’s score against special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer even got a dance out of Vrabel himself.
One of the more creative touches? At exactly 1:52 p.m., Vrabel sent the team to the locker room for a 14-minute break while Bad Bunny played over the stadium speakers. It wasn’t just for show-it was a calculated move to simulate the Super Bowl’s extended halftime and help players adjust to the unique rhythm of the biggest game of the year.
Patriots Friday practice pool report, via @bylindsayhjones. pic.twitter.com/u7MhSe7dyi
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 6, 2026
The vibe around the team is tight-knit and confident. Veteran wideout Stefon Diggs, never one to hold back, jokingly called Vrabel an “a**hole” before quickly adding that he sees him as a father figure.
It’s a sign of the respect Vrabel commands-and the bond he’s built with this group. Diggs also pointed out that despite being underdogs, this team has consistently risen above expectations.
And if they’re going to bring a seventh Lombardi Trophy back to New England, they’ll need some big plays from the offense to match their defensive grit.
Injury-wise, the Patriots are keeping an eye on linebackers Robert Spillane (ankle) and Harold Landry III (knee), both listed as questionable. Defensive tackle Joshua Farmer is in the same boat. But aside from those three, the roster looks clean heading into Sunday.
The final team photo is set for Saturday. After that, it’s all eyes on the Seahawks.
Vrabel’s already made history this season. Now, he’s got a shot to add a Super Bowl ring to go with that Coach of the Year hardware.