Patriots Insider Sheds Light On Latest Trades

Mike Vrabel has put the sour taste of the 2020’s Patriots and Jerod Mayo era (season) behind us all.

How does he achieve this so fast? Support the franchise quarterback with the proper support staff, draft wisely on offense and have a “my way or the highway” approach to the players and culture in the locker room.

That final part could spell out why Keion White and Kyle Dugger were both traded by the Patriots for day three picks.

As the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed explains, Vrabel is embracing players that fit his offensive and defensive schemes and culture. Emphasis on culture.

Sure Dugger wasn’t a scheme fit for Zach Kuhr’s defense but he’s a damn good football player. Same can be said for Keion White.

But the two players never seemed to click with his culture in New England. Which we know from day one was a mindset of “respect the team and I’ll respect you.”

Maybe their commitment wasn’t up to par from what Vrabel wanted. Maybe behind the scenes they weren’t the most cultural. Because you can say scheme fit matters all you want, the Patriots just traded away two good players that you find a way to make them fit.

So the continued washing away of Bill Belichick drafted players must point to lack of cultural fit. With the Patriots at 6-2 and the two-seed in the AFC who can question how Vrabel’s approach has worked so far.