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Rob Gronkowski says Mike Vrabel 'fits the mold' to be Patriots head coach

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•03/27/25•

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Rob Gronkowski Mike Vrabel
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images// Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rob Gronkowski expects Mike Vrabel to have a lot of success as the head coach of the New England Patriots. On3 spoke to Gronkowski before Super Bowl LIX and asked him if he believes that Vrabel can get the Patriots back on track.

“I definitely do. I feel like Mike Vrabel is the coach for New England and he fits the mold well,” Gronkowski told On3. “He’s a former player, he’s already a legend there from his playing days, he knows the game inside and out from special teams, from defense to offense. And now he’s surrounded himself with a great coaching staff, especially with offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels. …I feel personally that was the right pick, to hire Josh McDaniels as well, because he has such great knowledge for the game on the offensive side of the ball, and he has great knowledge of developing quarterbacks.

“And what better position to be than to develop Drake Maye, who’s willing to be the best out there, who’s willing to put the work in, and willing to be coached? So that’s a great situation. I feel like they’ll start winning games; they might not win as much as they want next year, but I feel like they’re going to build it in the right direction, and they’re going to be winning sooner than later.”

Mike Vrabel and Rob Gronkowski had success as Patriots players

Mike Vrabel was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2023. In those six seasons, the former Patriots linebacker led the Titans to two AFC South titles, reached the playoffs three times and led the team to an AFC championship appearance in 2019. He was fired from the Titans after they missed the playoffs in his final two years.

Vrabel wants to get the Patriots back to where they were when he played for them from 2001-2008. During that time, Vrabel helped the Patriots win three Super Bowl titles and was named an All-Pro in 2007.

Rob Gronkowski joined the Patriots two years after Vrabel left. And like Vrabel, Gronkowski helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls from 2010-2018. Gronkowski also reached the Pro Bowl five times and was named a first-team All-Pro four times.