Mike Vrabel Tunes Out Drama as He Prepares for Patriots’ Clash with Former Team
Six years stand between the Patriots and their last start better than the current 4-2 record New England carries into leaf-peeping season.
Last season when the Patriots rolled into Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans, their former head coach Mike Vrabel was working as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns, and New England lost 20-17 in overtime.
Vrabel, back in the picture in a big way these days, will stand on the visitor's sideline Sunday when the AFC-leading Patriots -- with a coaching staff and front office with 13 former Tennessee staffers and a roster that includes six former Titans -- take on his former employer in Nashville.
"There is going to be, probably, a lot to be said about this," Vrabel said. "I think it would file under the category of, is it interesting or important? I would probably say this would be very interesting.
"But in the end, not very important to our preparation or what we need to continue to try to do to improve as a team. But having spent six years there or seven years there, I think it'll be nice to see some people that I haven't seen in a few years that helped us win, players and staff. But we've got a huge job here to do as we prepare for them."
While he might not want the attention or spotlight sure to follow his return to the Music City, credit Vrabel for a dramatic turnaround of the passing offense and run defense. New England hasn't allowed 50 rushing yards to any ballcarrier this season and is fourth in the NFL against the run (83.5 rushing yards per game).
Second-year quarterback Drake Maye is second in the NFL with a 73.2 completion percentage and the Patriots are sixth in the NFL in passing.
Vrabel was 54-45 as Titans head coach, winning back-to-back AFC South titles in 2020 and 2021. They're 4-19 since firing Vrabel in January 2024. They're again in the midst of a transition after Vrabel's replacement, Brian Callahan, was fired earlier this week. Mike McCoy is the interim coach running the team this week.
Tom Brady was still the Patriots' quarterback in 2019 when New England last had a start this successful. They opened with eight consecutive wins and went 12-4 that season before Brady left to Tampa Bay after being eliminated from the playoffs -- by Vrabel and the Titans.
Brady's highest completion percentage in a full season -- 68.9 in 2007 -- is the standing team record.
New England was 1-5 after six games each of the past two seasons.
Aaron Rodgers Reflects on Aging and Longevity as He Prepares to Face Joe Flacco
The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be heading on the road to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football
The move seriously confused and frustrated Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who did not hold back in expressing his displeasure . Tomlin even took shots at Browns General Manager Andrew Berry for making a trade within the division, something he viewed as controversial. The sudden arrival of Flacco adds a new wrinkle to an already intriguing matchup, pitting two veteran quarterbacks against each other in a rare over-40 showdown.
The Steelers, of course, have a 41-year-old quarterback of their own in Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers spoke to several members of the Pittsburgh media on Tuesday about the unusual scenario of two 40+ year-old quarterbacks going head-to-head. He shared his perspective on the physical and mental preparation required to continue playing at such a high level while also reflecting on what it means for the future of quarterback longevity in the NFL.
"I mean, it’s possible," Rodgers told several members of the Pittsburgh media on Tuesday. "I think that obviously there’s a lot more conversation and money spent by guys on their bodies in the offseason over the years, as I have seen."
Many Steelers fans have been very familiar with Flacco from his 11 years as the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. Flacco also lit up Pittsburgh earlier in the 2024 NFL season when he came in for an injured Anthony Richardson.
Now the Steelers will be looking to take down Flacco in 2025. Tomlin is well aware of what Flacco is capable of, and even at this stage in his career, he isn’t thrilled about having to face him in the division.
"There is one key component and that is consistency," Rodgers said. "In order to keep playing at an advanced age, you have to have some level of consistency to give you the opportunities and obviously Joe has done it and I have done it."
The Steelers sit at 4-1 in the 2025 season and are currently in first place in the AFC North, with injuries impacting several key teams in the division. The Steelers have a real chance to put a stranglehold on the division. To do that, they’ll need to get a win on the road on
Steelers' Defense Looking To Tee Off On Joe Flacco
At this stage in his career, Flacco can be almost like a statue back there. The Bengals traded for him out of desperation, hoping to stay alive in the season. He played in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers, completing 64.4% of his passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
The Steelers’ defense is starting to fire on all cylinders and will be looking to tee off on Flacco. If they can get to him, it could be a long day for the Bengals’ offense. But if he has time in the pocket, this Steelers defense could be in trouble with Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase roaming the field.
