There's a new sheriff in Foxborough, and he's bringing a completely different energy. First-year New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is running the show his way, not the "Patriot Way." That's become abundantly clear with him getting in the middle of not just one but two joint practice scuffles.
Vrabel was at it again just over a week after coming out bloodied from a brawl during a collaborative session with the Washington Commanders. He was at the bottom of a pile of his Patriots soldiers once more, only this time it was against the Minnesota Vikings. The retired player in him is ostensibly still there and capable of being conjured in the heat of battle. This is atypical for any organization, let alone New England.
#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel in the bottom of the pile in this last fight here at #Vikings training camp: pic.twitter.com/RUeeeFiSBb
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 14, 2025
Mike Vrabel tosses the Patriot Way out the window with multiple joint practice scuffles
The Patriot Way has willed New England to a historically dominant run that yielded nine Super Bowl appearances and six victories from 2001 to 2018. Vrabel's quite familiar with the mindset, considering he donned the uniform for eight seasons during this era. If anyone knows his actions don't align with the philosophy, it's him.
However, inserting himself into the thick of scrums sends clear signals of a changing of the guard; Vrabel didn't come to Foxborough to fit in. The one-time All-Pro Patriot took the job to stand out, make his mark on the franchise, and leave it better than he found it. Sure, it's a nonconformist approach to how the Patriots have operated this century, but they've been long overdue for a mentality shift.
Forgetting the Patriot Way could do New England some good
Let's be real, the Patriot Way lost its luster when the greatest NFL player of all time, Tom Brady, left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was the glue that held the iconic mantra together and took it with him in 2020. New England has tried clinging to the phrase, which can be seen as a metaphor for its obsession with reliving the glory days.
It's time to create memories and focus on what lies ahead rather than looking back. The sooner New England does that, the quicker they'll be able to snap their three-year playoff drought. While the Patriot Way got them this far, the slogan can also be their downfall. Embrace what is and forget what was, or continue to watch the rest of the league pass you by.