Mike Vrabel knows exactly what he signed up for, and the clock is already ticking. The Patriots‘ new head coach is under pressure to reset the culture, rebuild the offense, and restore credibility after back-to-back 4–13 seasons. And the coach isn’t dodging expectations. At the spring league meetings, he said, “I’m confident between now and the time that the season starts that we’re going to have something that we believe in and a plan that’s going to help us.” That plan? It’s starting to take shape. Piece by piece. Even if some pieces are coming from across the Atlantic.

On July 20, 2025, the Patriots made a move that raised eyebrows across the league, signing defensive tackle David Olajiga, a 6-foot-5, 319-pound native of London, via the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, as reported by Ian Rapoport. Olajiga isn’t a gimmick. He’s a legit developmental swing. He trained with the Rams in 2024. Didn’t stick, but made noise. And now, Vrabel’s Patriots are giving him a runway.

Olajiga lands in a defensive line room that’s wide open behind Christian Barmore. Keion White is more edge than interior.  This is a unit that needs youth, length, and aggression. Like Mike Vrabel said earlier this offseason, “We have to come together and decide what’s best for the football team.” That mindset is what makes Olajiga such a fascinating fit, he’s a blank slate with elite traits.

There’s also a bit of timing magic here. The signing drops less than two weeks before the Hall of Fame Game vs the Chargers on July 31. Don’t be shocked if Olajiga gets real reps that night under the lights in Canton. This isn’t Vrabel trying to impress. It’s Vrabel trying to win. The Patriots have leaned into IPP talent before, Jakob Johnson being the best-known example.

And Mike Vrabel? He isn’t waiting for the season to start to get aggressive. Particularly at a time when their defense is under question.

Mike Vrabel’s defensive star has problems to tackle

CB Christian Gonzalez might be riding high on ESPN’s latest cornerback rankings, but not everyone’s sold. A panel of executives, coaches, and scouts ranked the third-year Patriots cornerback, now cemented as the face of New England’s secondary, No. 6 in the NFL. And yet, beneath the surface of that top-tier praise, a new narrative is quietly forming: Is Gonzalez physically capable of anchoring a defense built on toughness?

After ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler called physicality an area of improvement, an NFL coordinator didn’t hold back. “He’ll tackle, but I wouldn’t call him physical. But he’s got the size and coverage skills to put him on the outside. And he can handle himself and play run support, but within the structure,” he said.

Yes, Gonzalez has the tools. He’s 6’2″, has elite press-man talent, and the kind of patience that makes receivers panic mid-route. A veteran NFL assistant said, “I think Gonzo is the next great one… skills, patience, length… he’s the closest thing to Pat Surtain II.”

But now? After a strong 2024 season that earned him a spot on the NFL All-Pro second team, the conversation has shifted from can he cover? to can he finish? Gonzalez racked up 59 tackles (50 solo), two interceptions, 11 passes defended, and one fumble recovery in 17 starts last year.

This isn’t about stats anymore. It’s about perception. Gonzalez has the resume, first-round pick in 2023 (No. 17 overall), shutdown tape against No. 1 receivers, and one of the highest coverage grades among corners under 25. But physicality? That’s an intangible that doesn’t always show up on paper. And when that trait is missing, or even just doubted, it sticks.

Make no mistake, Gonzalez is still the Patriots’ best defensive back. But in a Mike Vrabel-built culture, finesse won’t be enough. The question of his physicality isn’t going away. And if he doesn’t answer it in 2025? It might define how far this defense can actually go.