Speaking with reporters Tuesday at the annual NFL owners’ meetings in Phoenix, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed a wide range of topics, including the team’s ongoing pursuit of wide receiver A.J. Brown, the development of quarterback Drake Maye, and the organization’s approach to the upcoming draft.
A.J. Brown Trade Still in Holding Pattern
The Patriots’ long-rumored interest in the Philadelphia Eagles’ All-Pro receiver remains unresolved. Vrabel, who previously crossed paths with Brown during his tenure with the Tennessee Titans, reiterated the team’s commitment to improving the roster through any means necessary.
“We’ve talked about this since last January,” Vrabel said. “We’re gonna try to do everything we can to strengthen our roster, through the draft, through free agency, multiple ways of player acquisition. So, anything that we can continue to do to strengthen the roster, we’re going to try to do.”
Any potential deal for Brown is widely expected to take place after June 1, as moving the star receiver before that date would carry significant salary cap consequences for Philadelphia.
Vrabel Lays Out Expectations for Drake Maye
Following a breakout season that helped fuel New England’s run to Super Bowl LX, quarterback Drake Maye enters his third year with a clear set of developmental goals. While Maye established himself as an MVP candidate, Vrabel emphasized the need for continued growth in the mental aspects of the game.
“I think his ability to control the game at the line of scrimmage,” Vrabel said when asked what strides he wants to see from his young quarterback. “Whether that’s operationally, getting us into a better play. Continue to take ownership of the offense.”
Vrabel added that Maye should function as an extension of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, taking ownership of plays and bringing them to life through cadence, communication, and pre-snap adjustments, rather than focusing on physical improvements.
Championship Goals Despite Daunting Schedule
Team owner Robert Kraft acknowledged Monday that the Patriots face a challenging schedule in 2026, stopping short of setting specific win totals while noting that making the playoffs remains the baseline objective.
Vrabel, however, set his sights higher. “Championships will remain the goal. That will never change,” he said. “We want to win the division, we want to host playoff games, and we want to compete for championships.”
He reflected on the postseason atmosphere from last season, calling the experience of hosting playoff games “unbelievable and so much fun.”
Draft Philosophy: Best Player Available
With the 31st overall pick in next month’s draft, New England faces decisions on how to address remaining roster needs, including pass rush, tight end, and offensive tackle depth. Despite those gaps, Vrabel cautioned against drafting based on positional necessity.
“I don’t think you should ever draft for need,” he said. “That’s not a position that you ever want to be in.”
When asked about the team’s approach at the end of the first round, Vrabel emphasized flexibility, noting that trading up or trading back remain possibilities. He added that he aims to bridge the gap between coaching and personnel evaluations to find the right fit for the team.
On the topic of tight ends specifically—a position of renewed interest after Austin Hooper departed in free agency—Vrabel was enthusiastic. “I love ’em. Give me nine of ’em. Bring me as many tight ends as we can get,” he said, adding that the team is looking for the right player who fits their system.
Willingness to Part With Draft Capital
As New England enters a contention window following last season’s success, Vrabel acknowledged that adding immediate impact players—such as A.J. Brown—may require sacrificing valuable draft assets.
“I mean, the compensation is compensation,” Vrabel said. “You have to agree to something and whether it’s capital in this year’s draft… However you can come to an agreement with another team.”
He dismissed concerns about depleting future draft resources, saying his focus is simply on finding agreements that benefit both sides.
Adding Another Quarterback
With veteran backup Joshua Dobbs released last week, Tommy DeVito currently stands as the primary backup behind Maye. Vrabel indicated the team plans to add another quarterback to the mix before the season begins.
“We need a third arm,” Vrabel said. “We’ll try to find a young guy that we can develop and potentially add to the roster, whether that’s on the 53-man or the practice squad.”
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