The New England Patriots brought a new head coach this offseason. Mike Vrabel played on the organization before establishing as a top head coach in the NFL. Now, as the team prepares to face Jayden Daniels‘ Washington Commanders, the questions surrounding the coach are if quarterback Drake Maye will play.
Vrabel is known as a no non-sense guy. So, when asked about the starters, he provided a very Vrabel answer. “I would say most everybody that’s healthy should expect to play in the game,” he said to the media.
While he didn’t address Maye‘s name specifically, the message is loud and clear. If you’re fit to play, you will play. That should include the second-year quarterback. Last preseason, under Jerod Mayo, the Patriots barely saw Maye and he wasn’t even the starting quarterback at the time for the team.
Vrabel has a direct approach to football
“How long they’ll play, I don’t know. But we have to prepare to play in football games and prepare to win football games, so that’s the mentality that we’re gonna take,” Vrabel said.
Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025.
The coach did say the snap count will vary depending on the player. However, it’s likelier than not that they will see a bit of action, but won’t play for an extended period of time.
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Is Stefon Diggs ready to go?
Another of the names that people are dying to see on a Patriots jersey is wide receiver Stefon Diggs. However, he is recovering from an ACL tear. Though he has been practicing, it remains a mystery if he is fit enough to play vs. the Commanders.
Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract in the offseason with the Patriots. He is coming off a down year as his production wasn’t elite before the knee injury occurred. However, he is undoubtedly the best receiver on the roster and should be Drake Maye’s most recurrent target.
