Daily news and links for Wednesday
Eliot Wolf will report to Mike Vrabel. Who saw that coming? The tables have turned a bit back toward the center and that’s a good thing. One year ago Wolf seemed like the real power behind the throne — but now I’m not convinced his position as Robert Kraft’s man in the arena is as entrenched as it appeared. The situation feels tenuous, that he could even be out if Vrabel improves the team in 2025 but signs point to Wolf as a weak link. The sandcastle pillars of Kraft’s hand-packed Jerod Mayo regime are crumbling.
The main knock on Wolf, besides the Mac Jones pick, was the offensive line. That was Wolf’s baby and he blew it. Vrabel addressing the OL as a trouble spot in his introductory presser was like a mating call to every discouraged and frustrated fan out there enduring that dysfunction each week. What a relief!
Don’t get me wrong, the team needs a ton of talent. It needs leadership. Kraft needed to rein his franchise back towards a more Belichickian direction and it looks like the ship at least stopped taking on more water. So I’m feeling pretty good this morning. Dad is home. The Wolf has been tamed, and now we’re set for the next stage.
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo tackles this week’s Patriots Mailbag: Finding some help for Vrabel.
- Interview: Head Coach Mike Vrabel discusses his coaching philosophy and his excitement on joining the Patriots. (3 min. video)
- WEEI Patriots Tuesday: Mike Vrabel. (27 min. video)
- Patriots Unfiltered: Coordinator candidates, offseason outlook, wild dud weekend. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- 98.5 The Sports Hub guest Mike Reiss emphatically states Mike Vrabel is “100%” in-charge” of the Patriots’ football operation. /Back in your lane, Eliot.
- Doug Kyed notes Mike Vrabel says he’s “beyond comfortable” with the arrangement with Eliot Wolf after spending Tuesday morning meeting with the team’s executive vice president of player personnel.
- Tom E. Curran provides intel on the hierarchy in the Patriots front office, revealing that new head coach Mike Vrabel — not Eliot Wolf — will be the final decision maker.
- Justin Leger relays Albert Breer breaking down the Patriots’ front office power structure.
- Doug Kyed notes the coordinator search is ‘far from solidified’ as Mike Vrabel explains what he wants in his offensive and defensive coordinators.
- Andrew Callahan explains how Mike Vrabel is already walking the walk as head coach; His professional demeanor already evident.
- Karen Guregian hears from Romeo Crennel who has a pretty good beat on Mike Vrabel, what makes him tick, and what makes him such a good head coach.
- WEEI guest Boomer Esiason says Mike Vrabel brings ‘instant credibility’ to the Patriots.
- Ian Logue points to Mike Vrabel’s leadership as one key area that could change the Patriots’ fortunes in 2025.
- Jerry Thornton reminds us that Mike Vrabel got fired in Tennessee because the owner hated how much he loved being a Patriot. /I knew that would have consequences — just like Randy Moss’ post-game speech with the Vikings.
- Phil Perry explains how Vrabel plans to steer Drake Maye’s development and maximize his potential.
- Alex Barth reports Mike Vrabel highlighted 3 positions on his first day as Patriots head coach. 1. Offensive line.
- Matt Geagan’s Patriots offseason outlook: Surrounding Drake Maye with talent has to be team’s biggest priority.
- Doug Kyed highlights Mike Vrabel on what he looks for in a future Patriots wide receiver.
- Justin Leger revisits Josh McDaniels’ preseason comments about Drake Maye.
- Jerry Thornton notes that tragically, Rex Ryan is out of the Jets job, especially after declaring he was looking forward to kicking Mike Vrabel’s ass twice a year.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Andrew Brandt (SI) Business of Football: Patriots expose problem with Rooney Rule; Plus, the Cowboys were on-brand in their handling of Mike McCarthy, and thoughts about future contracts for Sam Darnold and Brock Purdy.
- Albert Breer (SI) Tuesday Notes: The Rams deserve more credit for frugally rebuilding their defense; Plus, more from wild-card weekend.
- Gilberto Manzano (SI) NFL Fact or Fiction: San Francisco should bring back Sam Darnold; Plus, is the Rams’ defensive front the best of the eight remaining playoff teams?
- Ryan Young (Yahoo! Sports) NFL divisional round schedule, playoff bracket: Chiefs, Lions back in action after postseason bye week. Chiefs and Texans will open the divisional round on Saturday afternoon.
- John Breech (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL playoff bracket prediction and picks: Commanders shock Lions in divisional round, Ravens top Bills.
- Marcus Mosher (The 33rd Team) 2025 NFL Divisional Round playoffs power rankings: Which Round 1 winners moved up?
- Tyler Brooke (The 33rd Team) Why the Baltimore Ravens are built perfectly for Super Bowl LIX run.
- Jeff Kerr (CBS Sports) How many picks do teams own? Jaguars lead the way, Bears have heavy capital.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Biggest questions facing Wild Card Weekend losers: What will Vikings do at QB? Will Steelers reset?
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL head coach matchmaker: Deion Sanders to Cowboys, Mike McCarthy to Bears and more potential fits.
- Jimmy Traina (SI) Don’t buy into the Tom Brady ‘conflict of interest’ nonsense this week.
- Staff (NFL.com) Indianapolis Colts announced as designated team for 2025 NFL Berlin game.