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Mike Vrabel's hiring has returned the Patriots to contention, owner Robert Kraft says.
Summary
Owner Robert Kraft moved quickly to hire Mike Vrabel after two 4-13 seasons, and the Patriots responded with a major roster overhaul that has put the team into Super Bowl 60 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Content
The New England Patriots have reached the Super Bowl after a rapid coaching change and a broad roster rebuild. Owner Robert Kraft dismissed Jerod Mayo after two 4-13 seasons and hired Mike Vrabel less than a week later. Vrabel arrived with a new staff and worked alongside offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterback Drake Maye. The team spent heavily in free agency and fielded a large rookie class as part of the turnaround.
Key details:
- Robert Kraft hired Mike Vrabel quickly after firing Jerod Mayo, following two consecutive 4-13 seasons.
- The roster was extensively rebuilt; the article reports 13 rookies on this season's team and more than half the roster new compared with a year earlier.
- The Patriots led the league in guaranteed free-agent spending that offseason, reported at $209 million, and signed contributors including Milton Williams, Stefon Diggs and Robert Spillane.
- Mike Vrabel and coordinator Josh McDaniels are credited with coaching the team, and quarterback Drake Maye is described in the article as an MVP candidate.
- Kraft is a Hall of Fame finalist and has now reached Super Bowls with multiple head coaches during his ownership.
Summary:
Kraft's decision to hire Vrabel coincided with a rapid roster overhaul and a turnaround that returned the Patriots to the Super Bowl. The season has changed perceptions about the franchise and could affect how this period figures in Kraft's legacy. The team will play Super Bowl 60 against the Seattle Seahawks, and the outcome will shape how this season is remembered.
