Mike Vrabel never sugarcoated anything, not as a player, and definitely not as a head coach. Ask anyone who’s played under him. The former Patriots linebacker brought a Bill Belichick-influenced edge into his coaching DNA, but added his own bite. Accountability was non-negotiable. In his six seasons with the Titans, Vrabel benched players for being late to meetings. He’s not big on performative tough-guy stuff. It’s details on alignment, body language, and tempo. From 2018 to 2022, the Titans always finished in the top 12 in points scored.

Upon his appointment as the head coach of the New England Patriots, Vrabel described quarterback Drake Maye as a young, dynamic quarterback with notable arm talent, athleticism, and a willingness to learn. But many young players on the roster are still adapting to the NFL pressure. The 4th round pick (110th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, WR Javon Baker, played 11 games last year (1 started) and only recorded 1 reception for 12 yards.

He wants to stamp his authority this year. During a recent practice session, he jumped over UDFA CB Brandon Crossley and caught a deep ball from QB Ben Wooldridge. But the showboating he did afterwards was more problematic for Mike Vrabel, who yelled at him and told him to get to the huddle. That might have made things tough for Drake Maye’s WR to find a spot on the 53-man roster.

The receiver is not new to questionable disciplinary incidents. In early September 2024, Baker went live on Instagram, criticizing a police officer who had issued him a traffic ticket at Logan Airport. In the video, Baker expressed his frustration, stating, “Just because you’re a police officer, that don’t mean nothing, bro. With my tax dollars, I pay you. Come on, bro, you work for me.”

The Patriots responded by disciplining Baker internally. Former head coach Jerod Mayo addressed the situation, emphasizing that Baker’s actions did not align with the team’s values. However, he has to pay attention to other players in the receiving room.

Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs’ controversy

A couple of months ago, in March, WR Stefon Diggs signed a three-year $69 million contract with the Patriots. Everyone was glad and waiting for him to recover from the torn ACL season. In late May 2025, he became the center of controversy after a video surfaced showing him on a yacht during Memorial Day weekend. In the footage, Diggs talks to different women and looks like he handed over a pink substance. Fans are confused or more curious about the material he passed. Rapper Cardi B, his rumored love interest, was also spotted.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the situation during a press conference, emphasizing the importance of players making responsible decisions both on and off the field. He stated, “It’s something that we’re aware of and, obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field.” But the head coach did not reveal any private talks, pointing instead to their deep bond.

When the footage went viral, he was absent from the Patriots’ OTAs. The team has not announced any disciplinary actions related to the video, and Diggs’ status for upcoming practices and games remains focused on his injury recovery. We have seen that the teams are usually strict on the issues related to reputation. Will the Patriots’ HC also take such a step?

The Patriots want to turn around the narrative surrounding them in the coming season. The franchise saw massive success under the GOAT, Tom Brady. But things have been choppy since his exit, and it’s all about grind work, determination, and tenacity now. Distractions and disciplinary failures not welcome.