HEAD COACH MIKE VRABEL

Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, November 13, 2025

Q: Mike, just a thought on the second game in five days, what you guys were able to do, the focus this week, and guys stepping up making plays, [Dell] Pettus, [Elijah] Ponder just as the game went along.

MV: Yeah, testament to our players, our staff. I thanked them so many times just being able to roll in there on Monday, have stuff prepared. You know, it's hard to go on the road to Tampa, you know, and get your mind ready for that, but also in the back of your mind you've got a whole other box about what are you going to do against the Jets and being able to get on a plane, come home, get in late, but have that ready to go and have energy and a game plan ready for the players on Monday at 1 o'clock. Thank the trainers, thank the staff, the strength staff, everybody involved for getting our players ready to go for the game here in a short week.

Q: Your fans were chanting "MVP" for Drake [Maye] from the minute he came out and almost every series. What did you make of his performance tonight and his performance in general?

MV: I would say his performance in general has been what we expect. We have high expectations for Drake. He has high expectations for himself. He'll continue to improve. I know that he'll stay humble through this all. Again, as far as the performance tonight, I thought it was, again, in first view, pretty good. It was good enough to win. Took care of the football. We just have to continue to focus on the little things, operation, unforced errors throughout the offense. The only thing that really stops us is us offensively. So continue to do that. Let them enjoy a win on a short week. Like I told them, I'm excited we're 9-2. I'm excited that I don't have to see them until Monday.

Q: Mike, Robert Spillane was telling us about guys coming back from Tampa and going straight to the facility, sauna, hot tub as part of the recovery process. What's involved in that plan, and how do you piece that together?

MV: Just looking back and just trying to get everybody together and say, Hey, what can we do that maybe we've wanted to do or thought about doing on a short week and just exhaust every avenue of giving guys IVs before we left Tampa, having the massage therapist, everybody on all hands on deck here, and also having a schedule. Our assistant trainer went around and scheduled everybody so there could be a flow chart and guys didn't walk in at 11:30 and say, 'Well, I can't get a massage because Morgan Moses is already on a table'. So it was let's make sure that this is planned out and there's some thought to it and give our players the best opportunity to recover. So that's what we did.

Q: What did you see from the defense on New York's opening drive, and why do you think it's just been so difficult to get that stop on the opening possession this season?

MV: The quarterback tonight, I mean, faster than most of the guys we got and didn't do a good enough job. We recovered a little bit, and we'll have to try to continue to be better there. But, you know, there's plenty of opportunities in places where we play good defense. I have to remember that. That they can get a first down, and we can still stop them. It doesn't have to be three and out every time.

Q: The last two games Jack Gibbens has had a lot of production. How does he personify what you are building with this defense in terms of his importance to it now?

MV: Dr. Gibby always knows what to do for the most parts. He's usually in the right place at the right time, sniffs out some screens. Just kind of seems to be in the right place at the right time, does his job. Usually does it fairly well. He's a great teammate, cares deeply about his teammates, and he's fun to coach, and he's a great person to be around each and every day.

Q: Milton Williams went out. Looked like he came back, gave it a go. Was it a situation where in a different situation that maybe he could have gone in?

MV: Maybe. I made a decision that we felt like we should probably just start treating that thing and get ahead of it and see where he's at here tomorrow, the next couple of days and try to weigh -- again, he wanted to try to go. He's out here standing with me when guys are coming in, and he's excited for them, so I appreciate his leadership, but I just made a decision that I felt like was best for the team for his instance.

Q: Working on a piece about Patriots fans. If you look back in your eight years as a player, your experiences as a visiting coach and now as a head coach, what strikes you about this fan base?

MV: Well, I think they're passionate. I think that they have high expectations. I think that they are loyal, and I think they're knowledgeable. I think they understand what it is that they should be seeing. Like I said, we've got to give them reasons to cheer and be excited, so yeah. I mean, I think we've done that. They've, in return, given us a great atmosphere to play in front of.

Q: What are your thoughts on TreVeyon Henderson and what he has brought to the team?

MV: I would say the best couple of runs he had were there late in the game when it was tough sledding, and we're in five-minute, and they know we're going to run, and they're blitzing and everything else. Looked like we were going to be short, and he's able to knife through there and keep his pads down and pick up a huge first down. He's executed, whether that's a checkdown or a touchdown in the back of the end zone. No home runs tonight, but I thought he grinded out pretty much what was there. He's helped us a lot of ways tonight and saw the power push touchdown, which was really cool. So I'm happy every time that guys can help us and they can get into the end zone, and Christian Barmore can finally get the sack that he's been looking for. He has had a lot of pressures, and he's been back there. They work really hard, and we want them to all have success.

Q: The Jets came in with one of the best return units in the league. What were you able to see on the initial viewing that allowed you to slow them down and contain them?

MV: Well, I thought we got off blocks, didn't give them a lot of space. Schooler got triple-teamed one time, went down there and made a play. We punted well. The gunners did a nice job. But, you're right, they are have a really good return unit. I thought our kickoff coverage took a lot of pride, and I think we've done a really good job of covering kicks. So that was a good challenge. They stood up to it. It's a good unit, and I was excited to watch them. You know, brings some energy to the sidelines. I told you, if everybody is going to get up off the bench, we better give them something to cheer about. Thank you, guys.

QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE

Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, November 13, 2025

Q: Just getting out of here with a win, the "MVP" chants for you tonight from the start, the crowd, just everything that went into this game and how guys were able to pull it out, too, with a lot of different contributions in a short week.

DM: Yeah, I think just quick turnaround. The goal of these Thursday nights is to come out with a win, and that's what happened. Things we looked back on, you know, didn't have as much time to prepare for some things that I could look back at myself and wish I had plays back, but at the end of the day, just proud of these guys for the effort, the win, and that's the best thing about Thursday night. You get a weekend to catch up on some rest and some heel-up. I thought the fans were awesome. I think it was pretty sweet for the prime time game, here for my first play at home. Pretty sweet. Just glad we won.

Q: Drake, just curious, TreVeyon Henderson obviously into the end zone three times tonight. Just what you saw from him. You kept handing it to him. What was letting him have that success?

DM: Don't fix it if it ain't broke. I think just him stepping up. I think it was a big time for him stepping up, and it's been great for him to get all these reps, to keep getting these reps. He wants to be great. He's just showing up every day and asking questions. Get out here, rookie (laughing). Yeah, sorry about that. Yeah, I think just continuing for him to keep going the oncoming weeks and know that him and Mondre and our backs, we can create a good one-two thing going. Looking forward to have Mondre back, but TreVeyon stepped up huge.

Q: Is the trust that you have in Stefon Diggs something that's built up over time, or do you feel like you had that right away?

DM: No, that trust was built up probably when I was in middle school when he was playing in the league. It was long ago. Guys like him and Hunter and Mack, you trust those guys for what they've done in this league. I just try to give them chances, and you know, Stef, and you break a couple of tackles and get in the end zone, but those guys were great for us tonight.

Q: Drake, asking Hunter [Henry] about you, and he said, short memory. If a play doesn't go the way he wants or series, he forgets it quickly. How important is that to you, and is that something you had for a long time?

DM: Yeah, that's huge. That's what we're trying to build. Having short memories in this league as a quarterback, that's what it is. You're going to get sacked. You're going to have plays that you want back and just trying to flip the page and just knowing that there's so many sports out there. Basketball, I was at the Celtics game the other day. You see somebody miss a shot, and they come back and shoot another one. That's just kind of the mindset. Shooters shoot, and that's what my mentality is. Me and Hunter play a lot of ping pong, so it's the next point and just keep going. I think that's just my mindset.

Q: Drake, has anything surprised about your personal success, the team's success during this run, surprised you that you didn't know about yourself? And also, as you start to near the playoffs here, what are the top things that you are looking on improving?

DM: No, I don't think anything has surprised me. When you put the work in and we have good players and good coaches, you are going to get a result that you want. Obviously there's been some results this season, some losses, and you build from that and learn from it and try to learn about it every week. I think we're going to enjoy the weekend and get ready for next one on Sunday. I think it's Cincy. Is it Cincy? Yeah. Just trying to take it one week at a time.

Q: I know quarterbacks will talk a lot about accuracy versus ball placement. Certain shoulder or lead guys to get them to go back. Is there anything that you do in regards to ball placement to focus or work on that specifically?

DM: You know in zone, you drive to the catch and try to see where defenders are at. I have the best view of throwing to him. Try to put it on the right shoulder. There are times tonight where I felt like I did that, and there are times where it needs to be better. I hit Stef (Stefon Diggs) on the third down coming out into the third quarter. That was big. I thought it was good ball placement. There's guys across the league that are so great at it, so just trying to practice it in practice and know that every throw and mechanics and just rip it.

Q: How does it feel to get those "MVP" chants and just have people recognize the way you're playing right now?

DM: Yeah, may have been for TreVeyon tonight. He scored three touchdowns. No, I think our fans have been great with me since I got here, since I got drafted. I just appreciate them for embracing me, and trying to embrace this city and give these fans and this team and just myself just leave it all out there and give it everything I got.

Q: It seemed like the Jets had kind of a similar approach to what Tampa did where it's fewer blitzes than they're used to. I know they played a little more man. Did you see it the same way, and did it help to have the short week to get right back out there and keep going?

DM: You know on a short week they're probably going to do some stuff that either we haven't seen or you think it's what you have seen, but oftentimes you see something that you don't. Show up and they play dime on third down and have a few different looks where we got empty a lot. They showed some different looks at empty, but I thought they do a good job defensively of disguising. Coach Wilks, I think he's from Charlotte. Shout-out to him. They blitz a lot, and we didn't see as much tonight, but you can see kind of they got a lot of different stuff. They got good players. I thought the backers were great, and the guys up front on the edge are good players. They're a good football team, and I think we'll have a tough challenge when we see them again.

ADDITIONAL PATRIOTS PLAYERS

TreVeyon Henderson, RB

(On what his three-touchdown performance felt like)

"It was a stunning crowd for sure. I'm thankful to be able to come out with a win, of course. Of course, I have to give the Glory to God, and like I said in an interview I was doing earlier, I'm so weak without Jesus. He truly is my strength, I have to give all the credit to him. The guys up front, they make our job easier, they make my job easier. There were a couple times when I thought I was down, and those guys are coming to push the pile and getting me into the endzone. Those guys work so hard."

(On progress over the last few weeks)

"It's a journey, the NFL comes with a lot of highs and lows. I think the biggest thing is preparation going into the week and with the reps that we have, just trying my best to take advantage of them. Continuing to try and grow and get better as a player. My running backs coach does a good job of pushing us, Coach Vrabel does a good job of pushing everyone. I think preparation is key."

(On being versatile as a running back)

"I always try to work on different aspects of my game, when running the ball, when I'm blocking, running out of the backfield, whatever it is. I'm always studying other guys as well, other backs in the league, just trying to pick things from their game. I'm always trying to learn and grow as a player."

Will Campbell, T

(On TreVeyon Henderson being pushed into the end zone)

"We work on that specific drill during the week in practice, the push the pile drill. So, we pride ourselves in it. Any chance we can do it, and it paid off tonight."

(On the short week)

"It's amazing. I like the quick turnarounds, knock a few out. I think I'll probably feel differently about it whenever I'm older. But my body recovers pretty well right now because I'm young. But when I'm Morgan's [Moses] age, it might be a different story. But, yeah, it's nice. It was cool. We did it a few weeks ago but doing it at night, it was a lot cooler. The crowd was in it. It was a lot of fun."

(On the crowd chanting MVP for Drake Maye)

"He's playing at an elite level right now. I'm biased, but I think he's the best player in the NFL. There's no game that we're out of when we have him. He's just, even how good of a player he is, he's an even better person, and an even better teammate. That just makes it that much cooler. To be able to share the huddle and in the locker room, and be friends with somebody like that. I just look forward to the future, to continue to play with him, and grow with him. As we all continue to grow in this offense, he's got everything in front of him now. I'm super excited to be a part of it."

(On how he feels about the direction the team is headed)

"We've got a really talented team. But talent doesn't win games. We've got guys that play together and that are brought into what Vrabes (Mike Vrabel) is building, and the staff is asking of us. This game's over. We can enjoy it for tonight. But after we get back from the weekend, it's on to the next. I think that's something we've done good. We have to continue to do good. After we win, we've got to move on to the next one. We can't ride the highs and be down in the dumps on the low. We've got to keep doing what we do and having great weeks of practice every week before the games and just continuing to do it."

Garrett Bradbury, C

(On what he's seeing from TreVeyon Henderson)

"A lot of good stuff. [Mike] Vrabel preaches when you have a good opportunity to take advantage of it, you'll get more opportunities. It sucks with Rhamondre [Stevenson] being out, but TreVeyon's taking advantage of that opportunity. He's running hard. I mean, everyone knows he can outrun you, but what people are seeing is he'll run through your face too. I thought he had an awesome night, a lot of good energy. He loves the O-line, coming and celebrating with the boys, it was a lot of fun."

(On Henderson buying into the team)

"He's an awesome young player. He's got a good head on his shoulders, I think faith comes first for him, and that tells you everything you need to know. He's doing a great job. We all know what he is, we all know what he can do. We just have to put more ownership on ourselves with the backs that we have with Rhamondre [Stevenson], [Terrell] Jennings, and TreVeyon. We just have to give them a little space and they can go. They can run, they can run you over. It's fun to watch, it's fun to play with."

(On Drake Maye receiving MVP chants from the home crowd)

"It's not distracting. The fans are excited, we're giving them something to be excited about. Everyone hears it, you can't not hear it. I think [Mike] Vrabel's done a good job helping us focus on the task at hand."

(On if he thinks Drake Maye is playing like the MVP)

"Yeah, he's playing like it, but he's not playing for that award. We're just playing, we're playing today to beat the Jets. That's honestly how I think the team goes about their business day in and day out. All that other stuff will take care of itself."

Robert Spillane, LB

(On Dell Pettus' performance)

"Somebody who is so consistent, reliable, and showed up at big points this year. Huge play on Kyle Pitts the other week, comes up huge for a game-winning play for us on fourth down. I can't say enough good things about him. He comes every day looking to get better, preparing to win and preparing as a starter. So, when you make plays in this league, you tend to get more opportunities to make more plays. So, we're excited to see where it goes."

(On preparation for inclement weather and declining shortened team meetings)

"Yeah, we play outside, we play in inclement weather. We are in New England, so we're going to have to play in lots of inclement weather games. We want to use that as a winning edge for us and something that we can hang our hats on. We are not going to slow down when the weather's cold. Hopefully, the other team does. When it comes to meeting times, meeting is crucial for our success on the field. I know it looks like a bunch of chaos on the field, but it is such controlled chaos. Each person has an individual role, and those meeting times are where we really detail out those roles and finalize everything."

(On overcoming injuries and players stepping up in recent games)

"Yeah, prepare as a starter. You never know when your opportunity is to be called. Our defensive line throughout has been preparing as a starter. I can't say enough great things about those guys in front of me. They have been eating up double teams all year, making plays in the backfield. Just been a really solid defensive line, no matter who it is in front of me. Whether it's our starting defensive line or our second defensive line, they are rotating all game long, and it's fun to have those fresh bodies in front of you."

(On the key characteristic of the team's success this season)

"Yeah, team defense. Nobody is bigger than the team, and that is the type of team Coach [Mike] Vrabel wanted to build from day one. A bunch of guys who are selfless, who want to pour into this team, who want to help their teammates, who get joy from seeing their teammates succeed. When you've got 33 guys, 11 on offense, 11 on defense, 11 on special teams, who all want to see the team succeed, good things are going to happen."

(On when he sensed a successful start for the team this season was possible)

"People have asked me this question in the past, but I have something called player delusion. Every year, I felt like I was going to be 11-0 after 11 games. It's part of my confidence, I guess. It's part of my process. Every game I have ever gone into, I expect to win the game. We have a bunch of guys who are just like that, too; no one feels outmatched. We are never going to feel like an underdog. We are going to continue to play team defense, team offense, team football, and just let the chips fall where they may."

(On the importance of recovery and preparation for the next game)

"I am expecting to see a bunch of guys in the facility throughout the weekend. I would be very surprised if we don't have 30, 40, 50 guys here over the weekend looking to get recovered, extra lifts in because we know the real season is ahead of us. Everything that's in the past is in the past, and going forward, this is our season."

Stefon Diggs, WR

(On his connection with Drake Maye)

"It's just football. OTAs, to training camp, to practice throughout the year. Learning one another and finding those spots and doing what he feels comfortable with and, just doing my job. Obviously you get comfortable over the course of time, but everybody's doing their job."

(On what special traits he sees in Drake Maye)

"Doing his job, play in and play out, and being a commander of the offense, being there by the lineup. Sometimes I go the wrong way, and I don't do things perfect. He has that open line of communication of being that quarterback and being a leader. He's just one of those pillars on the offense that keeps us in the right spot."

(On his third 100-yard game this season and if it means more after his injury last year)

"I wouldn't say it means a more. Just getting back to rare form and getting to where I want to be physically and mentally. I'm just thankful to be around, man. We got a lot of weapons on offense. So, when I get to make some plays out there – I left one out there, it was a flat, but we still left one out there. Just getting opportunities and wanting to be myself and be another pillar on this team. I feel like just taking advantage of my opportunities are going to be key because you never know when you'll get them. We've got a lot of players on the team."

(On what it was like seeing TreVeyon [Henderson] get a hat trick)

"I was happy for him. Young boy's balling. He's just got to keep it rolling. Everybody is feeding of each other. It is an exciting time to be a part of the New England Patriots. Don't ride the roller coaster, do what got us here, and just keep on rolling. That boy is playing well, just got to keep it up."

(On how special their 8-game winning streak is for the locker room)

"You've got to tell me. We just take it each week, one week at a time. Y'all got a different vantage point than what we're seeing. But being a part of it is definitely special. It's fun. You know what I'm saying? It's exciting. People kind of count us out a little bit during the beginning of the year when things weren't going right, but it's easy to do that. So, for us, just keeping that mindset of being hungry, being humble, and when things are going right, just keep trying to duplicate that process. We'll replicate that process to generate wins."

Christian Gonzalez, CB

(On getting a win in a short week)

"Yeah, for sure. A short week is always hard, but we embraced it. It is a division game, like we talked about all week. It is going to be a battle no matter what; it's a division game. They are going to come in here and play hard. So, as a defense, I feel like we let up a little bit, but we were able to get stops when it mattered. So, it felt good to come in here and get a win, and in front of the home crowd, it's always good to give them something to cheer about."

(On the energy of this season's team)

"Yeah, I mean, we have energy. We bought in, and everybody's bought in. Just coming into work every day and pushing each other. We're real tight. I feel like, as a team, especially as a defense, we just come in and come to work, and it translates to Sundays. But we've got to keep going. It is a good win. We've got a couple of days off, but we've got a big game coming up defensively. So, we've got to go get it."

(On playing for Mike Vrabel)

"Yeah, [Vrabel] has done an amazing job. Even just coming in from OTAs, he stood in here and told us what we were going to do, and building a team and building connections and coming together, and getting close. As not just a former player, but a great player, he knows how to get people going. He knows how to get us going, and we call it getting under our skin a little bit. He likes to talk, but I mean, it's fun. It's good energy. We love playing for him, and we'll do whatever we got to do to go out there and get wins."

(On Mike Vrabel "getting under his skin")

"He tries. He does sometimes, but, I mean, it's kind of just how he is as a person, as a coach, as a player. He does a great job. He knows how to fire everybody up. So, he has a couple of times, but it's for the best."

(On getting the win and still having the chance to improve as a defense)

"For sure, there is always something we are going to learn. No matter if we play the perfect game and they score zero points, there is still stuff you can learn from, so many things you can learn from, like little things people don't notice. Nobody in this locker room and this organization is satisfied. So, that is one thing that I've really liked a lot, and I would enjoy this one, but get ready for the next one."

(On struggles in the opening drive and the defense's ability to make adjustments)

"Yeah, just being able to make adjustments. They are going to make adjustments, and we have to make adjustments. So, we have to do better at starting fast. Credit to us and the coaches for being able to get the adjustments, and us going out there and executing."