New England Patriots
“We want to have a plan,” Vrabel said. “And we want to bring in really talented players that we have a vision for, that we also believe in the type of character that they have as we build this team and improve on what we did this year.
Mike Vrabel Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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Patriots coach Mike Vrabel spoke to the media on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting combine in Indianapolis, touching on a range of subjects including the team’s approach to the upcoming free agency period.
The Patriots are still working through the plan, he said. New England is a little less than three weeks removed from its first Super Bowl appearance since 2018.
Conversations about how to improve the roster and continue to build upon the core are ongoing.
“We want to have a plan,” Vrabel said. “And we want to bring in really talented players that we have a vision for, that we also believe in the type of character that they have as we build this team and improve on what we did this year. We know how difficult that will be.”
“So right now, the plan is to evaluate everybody that we can, have communication and conversations, when those times come, with the agents as we approach the tampering window. Right now, it’s about gaining information from our scouting department and having our coaches look at it and then figuring out a few players at each position that may help us.
Here are a few more topics that Vrabel discussed.
Stefon Diggs’s future
The Patriots have a decision to make with Diggs, whose $6 million roster bonus becomes guaranteed on March 13. He is under contract for the next two seasons, but the team may consider getting younger and/or cheaper at the position. Diggs, 32, is entering year two of a three-year $69 million deal.
Diggs said after the Super Bowl that he expects to return to New England, although the process isn’t fully up to him. He was the only Patriots receiver to top 1,000 yards last season.
Vrabel said his presence as a leader was valuable for the team.
“Well, I mean, not only his future, but what he was able to do for us and come in and provide leadership,” Vrabel said. “He worked extremely hard in the time that he was rehabbing from the knee. I think he was just a really good presence each and every week. So, as we look to evaluate the football team, we’re doing that constantly, Eliot [Wolf], myself, Ryan [Cowden], Stretch [John Streicher] and Eliot’s staff.”
With Diggs, there are also off-the-field issues to take into consideration. He is facing assault and strangulation charges stemming from an alleged incident involving a woman who worked as his personal chef. He has a pretrial hearing scheduled for April 1.
“We’re going to let the legal process run its course, just like we’ve said before,” Vrabel said. “Those players, whether that’s Stefon or anybody else that has something, have done exactly what they’re supposed to do, been where they’re supposed to be, communicated with the court when they’re supposed to communicate with them. So, we’re going to let all that take care of itself, and then we’ll have to see what the judgments are in those particular cases.”
Relationship with AJ Brown
Eagles receiver A.J. Brown has been mentioned as a potential Patriots trade target. He remains under contract with Philadelphia, but there have been rumors about a potential departure.
Brown spent his first three NFL seasons with the Titans being coached by Vrabel. The relationship still means a lot to the Patriots coach.
“I’ve watched him grow. I’ve watched him mature. I’m proud of him, proud of the father that he is. I’m proud of the husband,” Vrabel said. “That has nothing to do with where he plays or where he played. Those are the things that are important.”
“We reach out and text each other during the good things that happen to each other. Sometimes things don’t go so well for the people that you’re close with, and you text for those as well. It’s a two-way street of support and reminders of what got us to where we are here today.”
Free agency approach
The Patriots have a two-year window with quarterback Drake Maye on his rookie contract. After that, in all likelihood, his salary will take a sharp increase, changing the Patriots’ salary cap calculus.
“I think there’s always time to be aggressive, but not reckless,” Vrabel said. “We certainly understand what premium quarterbacks cost in this league, where they get to and what they should be compensated. So, we’ll do our best to build and continue to build a roster worthy of competing for a championship.”
The Patriots will look to build on their core through the draft, free agency, and the trade market.
Vrabel said he would love to have free-agents K’Lavon chaisson, Khyiris Tonga, and Vederian Lowe back if possible.
Vrabel said he tried to keep any eye on free agency but hasn’t had much time to look at the draft yet. He mentioned that he sees volume in the tight-ends this year and that the team has met with several edge rushers.
As far as spending, Vrabel was asked if he prefers having more cap space heading into free agency. According to Spotrac, the Patriots have $37,435,699 in cap-space, the tenth-most in the league.
“I’ve never really tried to get focused [on that],” Vrabel said. “If I shop at Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom or something, I’ve gotten to the point now in my life where if I want something, I can usually buy it. I’m sure Richard Miller, Eliot and Matt Groh will work and do everything that they can to help us sign the players, with certain exceptions. I haven’t even gotten that far. If you like something, you usually just try to buy it.”
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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