PATRIOTS HEAD COACH MIKE VRABEL
PRESS CONFERENCE
July 30, 2025
MV: Hey, Karen [Guregian], real quick before we get started. Just the cadence of this thing, I hadn't talked to you guys yesterday. I want to just send our thoughts and prayers to the League office. Been in that building, I've got a lot of friends in that building, and so I just want to make sure that on behalf of our football team, our players, our staff, everybody here, that they know that we're thinking about them.
Q: We're six practices in, I'm curious, what have you seen that's pleased you the most? And conversely, what have you seen that's kind of caused a little consternation?
MV: Listen, it's like when Carter [Vrabel], my son, texts me every day back in Nashville, 'How was practice?' And I say every day, 'Some good, some bad.' And you just have to keep with the process. You have to keep getting guys that you feel like – I feel like some guys are improving, I do. I think that would be the positive thing, but you have to put all this thing together. Receiver wins and the quarterback doesn't have time, or the defense maybe gives up a few plays but then kind of comes back and responds. I think those are the things that we're looking for, is making sure that – and I think to our players' credit and our coaches' credit, you've seen them fix mistakes. With the way that practice is structured, there's time that if something happens, that maybe they need to make an adjustment with something that the defense did that's probably going to come back and repeat itself in practice, that they've been able to do that. They go over to the side, say, let's run it this way, or the defense makes an adjustment in the coverage, or maybe how they're going to set the front. So, those are things that are happening. I appreciate that we're trying to practice the way that we're going to try to play, and that we need to continue to improve and focus on these fundamentals. I think that's what's going to get us through here on a long road to the season.
Q: Mike, we haven't seen you since [Christian] Gonzalez went down the other day. Any updates on him yet?
MV: No updates. I mean, I wouldn't expect him here this week, and just like everybody else, I know he's working extremely hard to get back and focus on what he can do as opposed to what he can't. But I wouldn't expect to see him this week.
Q: A few days ago, you described a day off for Carlton Davis' maintenance. Is that still the case with him? Would you still call that day off?
MV: There's a plan. I mean, I think it's just making sure that he's ready to go. It's a long season, veteran player. There'll be guys that have different plans, like I said, whether that be Morgan [Moses] or maybe Harold [Landry III] today. Really just trying to put this thing all together and make sure that everybody that needs to get to work for evaluation purposes, a lot of different reasons. Sometimes it is health related, but also, I feel like Harold won't be out there or Morgan may come out for individual or some players may come out for team. Try to just give everybody what they need for the season.
Q: Mike, what have you seen from Ja'Lynn Polk since he returned from the injury?
MV: Again, a player that worked extremely hard to get back and to be ready to go and I feel like, just my first year with Jim [Whalen] and his staff and Frank [Piraino] and our return to play and the way that we can do their rehab and then transfer over to Frank and his staff and he knows how we practice and working on those skills and the drills that the coaches are going to have them do. So, he worked extremely hard with those guys to his credit, and then I would say that there's been some positive things that he's done since he's been back. So, focus on getting back as quickly as possible. I didn't see the mental errors, which sometimes occur when you are getting the installation but not able to go and rep it. So, we'll see how today goes with Ja'Lynn and the rest of the guys.
Q: What did you see from Caedan Wallace at left guard and what was it about his skill set that led you guys to move him from tackle?
MV: Big, strong, powerful kid, and just looking to put everybody in an opportunity for them to excel and a place to compete, which he's done. I would say that he's been headed in the right direction these last couple days since we put pads on. I think he's gotten more comfortable. I think he's – they all have – everybody's going to make mistakes, but I think that there's been a lot of really positive plays and then continue to move forward.
Q: Mike, you played as an offensive player on the player's side. So now as a coach, do you see this as the right opportunity for the players with such ability to establish themselves on both sides of the ball? Or do you have a way to play out into the season?
MV: I think we need to focus on the defensive players playing defense and the offensive players playing offense. And then if that kind of happens organically and we need somebody or somebody stands out – you got any candidates?
Q: Marcus [Jones].
MV: Marcus, we need Marcus to be an elite punt returner and his ability to help the offense and be able to gain extra first downs. And so, if he can do that, which he has, we'll start there. Marcus is – I really – he practices very hard, very instinctive, plays outside, plays inside, really getting a nice feel for that position. Asking him to blitz and coverage and just all the different looks. So, excited where he's at and he could certainly be a candidate to play offense just because of his skill set and the way that he moves.
Q: How would you describe your conversations with Joe Mazzulla and what have you enjoyed about getting to know him?
MV: Joe's fantastic. I mean, I just appreciate him just from the time that I got here, reaching out. We're probably are different personalities, and I think that that's probably the thing I appreciate most about him. He's always trying to learn and gain knowledge, different ways about building a team, about strategy, about scheme, about inspiring players to do their job better. So, I always love my conversations with him and I'm excited that he could come out here with his son today. His son's a football player, outside linebacker.
Q: Mike, we've heard from a couple guys who are named off-season award winners, Pop [Douglas] and [Khyiris] Tonga specifically. What went into the criteria for those awards?
MV: I would say daily improvement, one. And there were a lot of really good candidates, and unfortunately, guys have to miss for whatever reason and they say, 'Hey, I'm not going to be here,' which is fine, it's voluntary. But I would say that being here for the program is a stipulation. Daily improvement, how hard, the intensity in which they work, the leadership which they showed. And again, the improvement, that's the most important thing, is where they come in in April and then where they leave in June, is probably a really good indicator as well.
Q: [Joshua] Josh Dobbs spoke yesterday about how Josh McDaniels wants the quarterback room to stress the defense with their athleticism, with their legs. Saw a couple quarterback run plays, or at least option to run.
MV: Are you reporting on plays from practice?
Q: Well, no, I'm asking you specifically.
MV: No, you said you saw the type of play.
Q: Does Drake have to prove to you that he can handle some of that stuff, just in terms of being smart about his body and putting himself at risk?
MV: Yeah, I mean, we don't need to run over every player on defense, nor should we try. It's critical that those plays are available to us, and we do a good job of picking and choosing the appropriate time. And then, when they do have the football in their hands, they have to, one, be able to secure it and be able to protect themselves and use the rules to their advantage. Being able to give themselves up is something that's critical, and I get that a lot of these young players, they feel like they're fearless, and that's great, but we just have to make sure that we're making great decisions.
Q: We've seen a lot of big plays from D.J. James. I'm just curious how you think his camp is going, and just what you've seen from him.
MV: I would say that the group of players that I talked about when Karen [Guregian] asked me what I was – I don't know, happy with – I'm not sure if I'm ever happy, Karen, but D.J. is one of those players that's improved from the end of the spring until now, and he's taken advantage of some players that aren't there, so then he moves up a group or whatever that may be, and therefore he's taking advantage of his opportunities, and he'll continue to earn more opportunities. But D.J. is an improved player through the short time that we've been here.
Q: Mike, how can a guy like Milton Williams help you from – we see what we see in the middle, but a guy like maybe Vince Wilfork, how much do they help everybody else around them because of what they do on a play-by-play basis?
MV: Well, they're different players. They're different skill sets, different size. And so, Milt's going to be able to do things that maybe other tier players don't do, and use his speed and his quickness, and hopefully continue to disrupt, and then allow the linebackers to play off of him and play a certain style. It's important that the linebackers know who's in front of them, and that they get to know how they play certain blocks, and then have to know that player changes, and they may play blocks a little different. It's never going to be just one size fits all.
Q: Mike, you mentioned the plan for Morgan Moses. Can you just describe what the expectation or plan is for him practicing the rest of the week?
MV: I would anticipate him being out there today. After that, I'll keep you updated.
