When Cam Newton said, “I’m officially a meme now; I’ve made it,” he really wasn’t joking. First, he sparked controversy with analysts like Paul Finebaum. Then he stirred the pot with his antics with the Alabama A&M mascot “Butch” during an ESPN event that went viral, with some fans even seeing it as a fight. And now he went after an entire franchise, calling the Patriots‘ successful season “fool’s gold” and citing their “easy” schedule as the reason for their fortune. But now, the head coach has fired back, but subtly.

“No… We are okay with that,” Mike Vrabel said on the Greg Hill Show, when asked if he found Cam’s comments weird. “I promise you, we are okay with anything that anybody says… People are gonna have something to say. We’re okay with anything that anybody says. We’re going to come to work, we’re going to focus on us, and try to improve. None of that is offensive at all.”

Well, Newton might have a point about the Patriots’ schedule. Teams like the Jets, Browns, and Dolphins haven’t been the toughest matchups. But let’s not forget, New England has pulled off big wins against top-tier franchises as well.

The Patriots fought hard against the Bills (23-20) and the Buccaneers (28-23) and claimed victory in high-stakes games. And in the game against the Carolina Panthers, they even managed to deliver a massive blowout to Bryce Young‘s offense, restricting them to just 13 points. In addition to this, Mike Vrabel’s playcalling has been nothing short of chess moves.

In week 10 against the Bucs, with just 1:44 remaining in the first half, Vrabel asked his quarterback, Drake Maye, to take what appears to be an intentional knee. His inaugural season has impressed many; be it a softer schedule or his playcalling, he has managed to bring out the best in New England after a long time.

Mike Vrabel has boosted New England’s performance metrics

The Patriots are rolling this season, sitting at a 9-2 record with an eight-game winning streak. They have already matched the total number of wins they had over the last two seasons combined. Since taking over from Bill Belichick, Vrabel has already topped the mark in his first year at the helm. The last time New England finished with the league’s best record was back in 2017, when Tom Brady claimed his final regular-season MVP. Both the defense and the offense are in the top 10 of the pack, and Vrabel’s second-year quarterback, Drake Maye, has contributed greatly to that success.

Drake Maye, who is known for having one of the best arms in the NFL, has already topped the list in passing yards (2,836). His deep and accurate aerial throws have also secured the third spot in the league for most passing touchdowns (20). With just 5 interceptions this season, Maye has the second-best QBR of 73.4, just behind the Cowboys‘ Dak Prescott (73.9). The 50-year-old head coach has really helped shape the Patriots this season.

Vrabel’s track record with the Titans… three playoff appearances and an AFC Championship run prove he knows how to build tough, disciplined, and winning teams. Patriots fans are seeing the same winning DNA and culture taking shape in New England, and it’s exciting to watch, regardless of someone accusing them of having a weak slate of opponents.