Patriots Newcomer Received This Nickname From Coach Mike Vrabel

Jack Gibbens, like many other Patriots newcomers, already was plenty familiar with Mike Vrabel when he arrived in New England.

The Vrabel-led Titans gave Gibbens an NFL opportunity in 2022 when Tennessee signed the linebacker after he went undrafted. The Minnesota product made the most of it, going from an unheralded roster long shot to a 13-game starter in Nashville in 2023. Gibbens was limited to 10 games in 2024 due to injury, but his season-plus of work with Vrabel inspired a reunion in Foxboro, Mass., this spring.

The 26-year-old spoke with Patriots media Thursday, and a particular anecdote shed light on why New England’s head coach was motivated to work with Gibbens again.

“He started calling me ‘Dr. Gibby’ in rookie minicamp,” Gibbens told reporters, as transcribed by Sports Illustrated. “He likes to ask a lot of questions and quiz people, and I answered a few right. He started calling me ‘doctor.’ I had to let him know that I didn’t study medicine at school. …But, he let me know it was a joke.”

Speaking of good first impressions, Drake Maye left a lasting one on Gibbens when the Patriots and the Titans met at Nissan Stadium last season. Gibben’s gained “a lot of respect” for Maye from that contest, particularly due to the young quarterback’s competitiveness.

Now, Maye and Gibbens will work together as New England tries to take big steps forward in 2025. And who knows, if the signal-caller excels as a sophomore, maybe he will receive his own nickname from Vrabel.