Mike Vrabel Clears the Air About Comments on Patriots’ Lack of Depth
Vrabel said the Patriots are not a very deep team after calling out reserves during a 24-21 preseason win, with injuries testing the roster.
- On Saturday, August 22, 2026, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel called an abrupt timeout to rebuke his defense after the Philadelphia Eagles drove 59 yards to the Patriots' 27-yard line during the first quarter.
- Vrabel criticized the unit as "leaky" and failing to challenge the Eagles, explaining he would not tolerate poor play even in the preseason opener. Safety Dell Pettus recalled the message: the coach demanded fighters, not passive defenders.
- Rookie quarterback Behren Morton demonstrated the team's depth concerns by punting three times for an average of 44.3 yards while also handling second-half snaps. Vrabel deployed Morton after the Eagles moved into scoring position, showing unusual roster versatility.
- The Patriots' defense tightened after the timeout, limiting the Eagles to 14 additional points. Morton led a game-winning drive capped by a 37-yard touchdown pass to Nick DeGennaro, securing a 24-21 victory at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
- With the preseason concluding, the team faces critical roster decisions. All NFL teams must trim their squads to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on August 30, 2026, creating a wave of cuts and potential trade opportunities across the league.
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15 Articles
'We are the front office': Mike Vrabel said comments on Patriots' depth weren't targeted at Eliot Wolf
"That’s on us to be able to get these guys ready to go." The post ‘We are the front office’: Mike Vrabel said comments on Patriots’ depth weren’t targeted at Eliot Wolf appeared first on Boston.com.
Vrabel: Pats' depth barb not shot at front office
When Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said "I do not think we have a very deep team" on Saturday, he was highlighting why Drake Maye, A.J. Brown and other starters haven't played in a preseason game. But was Vrabel also sending a message to the front office?
A message to the front office? Vrabel clarifies comments about lack of depth
Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel looks on in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images
"That’s a direct public shot to Eliot Wolf," "Crazy thing to say": NFL fans react as Mike Vrabel exposes Patriots' "biggest weakness" in post-game PC
Vrabel is taking a very cautious approach with his roster for the preseason games. He rested his starters again during Saturday's 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mike Vrabel calls out Patriots’ depth and Pats-Eagles film notes
NFL analyst Dan Pizzuta joins Andrew to discuss Mike Vrabel’s comments about the Patriots not being a deep team and share their concerns over Patriots’ depth at five positions on a scale of 1-10. The guys also swap film notes after rewatching the Pats’ preseason win over the Eagles. 0:00 – Intro 1:53 – Mike Vrabel’s depth comments & what they really mean 5:09 – Film notes: what stood out on rewatch 16:58 – PrizePicks 19:56 – Drake Maye preseason…
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