Football coaches love a good teeth-gritting lie. Mike Vrabel is no exception. Confronted with a 2026 schedule that looks more like a death march than a slate of football games, the Patriots’ brass is doing what they always do: pretending they love the pain.
Danny Jaillet caught up with Vrabel, who put on his best stoic face. “I’m excited about the rest of the schedule,” Vrabel insisted, sounding like a man trying to convince himself as much as the media. He spun the usual yarn. It is, after all, their job to get these guys ready. Anywhere. Anytime. Sure it is.
Meanwhile, the actual work continues on the grass. OTAs are in full swing. We are watching the rookies. Lomu is getting his reps. The wide receiver room remains a chaotic puzzle, while Drake and Durden try to carve out their respective corners in this roster fight. It is early. Very early. But with a schedule this unforgiving, every single rep in May is going to matter come December.
