Rising Patriots Star Doubles Down On Praise For ‘Hardass’ Mike Vrabel

Keion White loves him some Mike Vrabel.

While speaking with reporters last week, the Patriots edge rusher praised his new head coach while firing a brutal shot at his former boss, Jerod Mayo. White then doubled down during a conversation with former New England linebacker and current WEEI personality Ted Johnson.

“I like him ’cause he’s a hardass. So, like, I really don’t like a buddy-buddy, everybody’s-kumbaya coach. So, he’s like, the first thing is work. And if we lead with work, then everything else will take care of itself.”

When asked whether he’s ‘afraid’ of that approach, White said, “Nah, I respect that.”

White’s remark about a “buddy-buddy” coach certainly seemed like another shot at Mayo, who earned a reputation for being too player-friendly and tolerant during his only season as Patriots head coach. However, White also could’ve been referring to other members of New England’s 2024 defensive coaching staff.

White also was asked for his thoughts on defensive tackle Milton Williams, the Patriots’ prized offseason acquisition.

“It’s been good,” White said of working with Williams. “Another guy, similar in age, me and him, so we kind of feed off each other. He’s really good at what he does. We compete in everything we do … I feel like iron sharpens iron.”

After posting one sack as a rookie under Belichick in 2023, White racked up five sacks last season while playing for Mayo. His stats improved across the board, but White’s production dipped in the second half of the season while he butted heads with the coaching staff.

Despite looking like a potential star during his first two campaigns, White still has much to prove at the NFL level.