Mike Vrabel finds himself quite comfortable needling his former teammate-turned-FOX analyst, Tom Brady, about life in the broadcast booth. But when it comes to the same Patriots locker room that the two had shared over three Super Bowls, he was far less open to the idea of familiarity influencing what’s unfolding in the quarterback room.

During an appearance on The Herd podcast on Tuesday, the Patriots head coach threw a fun jab at his former teammate-turned-FOX analyst. Host Colin Cowherd said, “I try to give him (Brady) tips on broadcasting. He doesn’t want to listen to it.” Vrabel replied:

“He should. He should pay attention.”

Brady’s move into broadcasting only adds context to why the jab works.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million deal with FOX Sports to become its lead NFL analyst, immediately stepping into the network’s top booth alongside Kevin Burkhardt and replacing Greg Olsen. The move came with instant scrutiny. Early in his first season, reviews were mixed: while Brady’s schematic knowledge and quarterback-specific breakdowns were widely praised, critics pointed to stiffness, pacing issues, and moments where his delivery felt overly deliberate for live television.

Veteran media voices questioned whether his commentary justified the scale of FOX’s investment, and fan backlash followed Olsen’s demotion. Brady himself acknowledged the adjustment publicly, conceding that live TV required a different rhythm than the huddle and that he was learning in real time. By his second season, however, that conversation shifted.

FOX producer Richie Zyontz, who has worked NFL broadcasts for decades, said Brady had become “excellent,” noting clearer explanations, sharper timing, and a better ability to condense complex reads into concise on-air insight. Reviews of late-season broadcasts highlighted improved chemistry with Burkhardt and a greater comfort letting the game breathe rather than filling every moment.

So, that’s the context. Even the most accomplished quarterback in NFL history entered broadcasting as a work in progress, and ultimately started getting better with more practice. But the conversation doesn’t end there. If not broadcasting, Brady could surely help with giving some tips to Vrabel’s QB, right?

Drake Maye’s Leadership Matters More Than the Tom Brady Narrative

When Cowherd asked whether Brady had tried to offer tips on developing Maye, Vrabel shut that down quickly.

“Nah, we’re all set right now,”

When Vrabel talks about Maye, he keeps returning to something he views as foundational.

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“I don’t think maturity has anything to do with age. It has everything to do with experience,” Vrabel explained. “What Drake went through last year in his first year and the things he experienced and what the opportunities he had and going into his second season learning a new offense, I think you start to see each and every single day his spirit, passion, energy, and leadership.”

Maye’s dominance in the New York Jets game last Sunday solidified his MVP credentials. The performance made Maye the first quarterback in NFL history with a 90 percent pass completion, 256 passing yards, and five-plus touchdown passes in a single game. The victory pushed the Patriots to a perfect 8-0 on the road, the only undefeated road team in the entire NFL in 2025.

Plus, in his rookie year, the Patriots QB surpassed 2000 passing yards and scored 15 touchdowns.

Reported by FOX Sports, Maye’s second season has been nothing short of historic. The Patriots’ quarterback leads the NFL in completion percentage (71.7%), yards per attempt (8.9), and passer rating (112.9), while racking up 4,203 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions.

Adding to this, Maye has the league’s highest passer rating at 132.5, completing 32 of 58 such throws for 1,001 yards and eight touchdowns. His two-way playmaking has added another dimension, with 409 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns.

That offensive firepower has transformed New England entirely. After suffering back-to-back 4-13 seasons, the 2025 Patriots are 13-3 and have already clinched the AFC East. The team’s offense now ranks fourth in total yards and fifth in points per game at 28.3.

The HC of the Patriots and Cowherd understands Brady’s legendary football pedigree, but he is not relying on his former Super Bowl-winning teammate to influence how the Patriots build around their 23-year-old quarterback. Rather, Vrabel is leaning into his vision and the unbelievable maturation currently happening to Maye, which is already returning with a major payoff in 2025.