The Patriots’ preseason game against the Colts ended with a 13-13, but Mike Vrabel’s challenge flag moment raised questions about his 2026 season approach. During the game, he tossed the red flag and threw it high into the air with a big arc. And after the preseason game, he even made it clear that he wants to handle these important decisions himself.
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“No. I’ll keep the challenge flag,” Mike Vrabel said after the preseason game, as per Alex Barth’s update on X.
The moment came after quarterback Anthony Richardson fumbled the ball, but the referees first said he was already down. After watching the replay, they saw that Patriots linebacker K.J. Britt had knocked the ball out before Richardson touched the ground. Because of this, Mike Vrabel threw his red challenge flag.
Vrabel won his challenge. Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson ran with the ball, and officials initially ruled that he was down before losing the ball. Vrabel challenged the call, and the officials changed it to a fumble. Patriots defensive lineman Isaiah Iton recovered the ball.
Last season, Vrabel challenged seven plays. Officials changed four of those calls in his favor, while they kept the other three calls unchanged. Overall, Vrabel has won 18 of his 33 challenges as an NFL head coach. This is something Vrabel wishes to do for the rest of the season.
The NFL changed its rule in 2026 to let a head coach choose another person to throw the red challenge flag. The referees should be informed about the decision ahead of the game. However, the head coach still decides whether the team should challenge a play; the person only handles the physical act of throwing the flag.
The main reason for this change is to save time and make things easier on the sideline. Now, if the coach decides to challenge, the designated assistant can quickly throw the flag instead of waiting for the head coach to do it himself. Plus, it can also prevent coaches from deciding in the heat of the moment.
During 2022 game against the Patriots, Packers coach Matt LaFleur challenged a play involving Romeo Doubs even though his assistant coach, Connor Lewis, told him not to challenge it. LaFleur ignored the advice, and the officials did not change the call, and it cost them a timeout.
“I’m not too proud of that moment,” LeFleur said. “That was an emotional decision, and I think it’s a great learning lesson that you can never make those emotional decisions in the heat of battle. You know better.”
So, let’s wait and see how Mike Vrabel avoids getting into these kinds of emotional decisions this season or ends up messing it all up.