Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Is Chasing More Than Playoff Berth This Season

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel could not have kicked off his first season at the helm of New England any better.

New England currently has a 7-2 record, placing it first in the AFC East. This marks a significant turnaround from last season, when the Patriots secured four victories.

Despite Vrabel’s excellent performance, he is not the favorite to win the NFL Coach of the Year award. As of Tuesday, BetMGM listed him with the second-best odds at +175, trailing behind Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen at +150.

Steichen is doing a great job with the Colts, getting them to a 7-2 record with quarterback Daniel Jones, who the New York Giants released last season.

The key distinction between Steichen and Vrabel lies in their tenures: Steichen has served as the head coach of the Colts for three years, wrapping up last season with an 8-9 record. In contrast, Vrabel stepped into the role with the Patriots this past January, becoming the leader of a team that managed to win eight games over the last two seasons.

There’s a good chance that Coach of the Year will depend on which team ends up with the best record in the AFC. The Patriots will be in the hunt for a playoff spot while also aiming to secure Vrabel’s second Coach of the Year award, following his first win with the Tennessee Titans in 2021.