Since retiring from his 11-year NFL career, four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski has smoothly transitioned into the sports media personality everyone anticipated.
From cameo appearances in movies and commercials to hosting live events and serving as a Fox Sports NFL analyst, Gronk has arguably become even more popular and recognizable off the field.
Rob Gronkowski Loves New England’s Head Coach Hire
After news broke earlier today that the New England Patriots had hired Mike Vrabel as their new head coach, Gronkowski shared his thoughts on the Fox Sports NFL Wild Card Sunday broadcast:
“The New England Patriots got their guy this morning in Patriots great Mike Vrabel. And let me tell you, Patriots fans are thrilled. This guy is going to hold everyone accountable in the organization — from the coaching staff to the players, even to himself and the front office.”
Toward the end of the segment, Gronk added that if he were in Vrabel’s shoes, his first move would be to hire Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator.
"This guy is going to keep everyone accountable in the organization." @RobGronkowski shares his thoughts on the Patriots hiring Mike Vrabel as their new head coach ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/t8zAIwyFVp
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 12, 2025
Gronk wasn’t the only one hyped about the Patriots’ new coach. Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and die-hard Patriots fan (and member of the Brady Four), released a bold video on his Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), warning the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and the rest of the NFL that the Patriots are officially “back.”
BREAKING NEWS! THE PATRIOTS ARE BACK! WELCOME HOME MIKE VRABEL! pic.twitter.com/6Sa0YRN4CZ
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 12, 2025
As a head coach in the NFL, Mike Vrabel posted a 54-45 (.545) record, ranking 12th in the league, with three playoff appearances during his six years with the Tennessee Titans (2018-2024). According to a tweet from Warren Sharp, Vrabel won nearly 50% of the games in which his team was an underdog, which ranks as the third-best mark in the NFL since 2018.
he almost always got his teams ready for games they were expected to lose
won nearly 50% of games he was an underdog (3rd best mark in the NFL, min 15 games since 2018)
his biggest sin was probably his choice in OC/offensive strategy
but he is a damn good Head coach
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 9, 2024
Known for building tough, physical teams, Vrabel brings a defensive-minded approach to the Patriots, who can expect a return to the disciplined style of play synonymous with the Bill Belichick era. In Tennessee, Vrabel’s defenses ranked among the best against the run, finishing fourth in defensive EPA per rush and seventh in rushing defense success rate from 2018-23.
By comparison, the 2024 Patriots struggled, ranking 23rd in EPA per rush and 20th in run defense success rate. With Vrabel at the helm, New England should see significant improvement in this area heading into 2025.
In their 65-year history, the Patriots have had only 15 head coaches, with Vrabel becoming the 16th. Known for their two-decade run of success, which included six championships and nine Super Bowl appearances, the team now faces a challenge as they come off a disappointing 4-13 record in both of the past two seasons.
Things will not be easy for Vrabel; however, there are some bright spots. The team’s promising new rookie quarterback, Drake Maye (2024 QB+ grade: 74.7, C, 19th in the NFL), has stood out as one of the top players from the 2024 NFL Draft, where the first three selections were all quarterbacks.
Additionally, New England currently has the most available salary cap space in the entire NFL, with $120.5 million, according to Over the Cap.
Does Mike Vrabel have what it takes to turn around one of the NFL’s worst-performing teams? Only time will tell, but with how the past two seasons have gone, it seems like things can only improve.