It’s been a tough few years in Foxborough, Mass. Since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the New England Patriots have looked more like a team searching for its identity than the NFL dynasty it once was. Inconsistency, underwhelming rosters, and a lack of direction have defined the post-Brady era. Even with Belichick still calling the shots after Brady left, the team couldn’t recapture the magic — or the wins.
Now, a year after Belichick’s departure, the Patriots have turned to a familiar face to lead the reset — former linebacker and fan favorite Mike Vrabel. A key figure from the early 2000s dynasty, Vrabel takes over as head coach in 2025, hoping to restore the culture and identity that once made New England the NFL’s most feared franchise.
Speaking at the NFL owners meetings, Patriots CEO Robert Kraft explained that the organization is turning the page.
Patriots’ CEO Robert Kraft Calls for Offensive Firepower, United Front
Kraft acknowledged that, like many fans, he sees clear areas where the roster needs improvement — especially on the offensive side of the ball.
“I think that any of us that are fans of the team know we want to try to strengthen the offense a little on the line, in the receiver area, maybe a speed running back,” Kraft said.
“But I’m talking as a fan. I have confidence that this group is all on the same page, and the most important thing is everyone is putting the team first. In this business, you can’t have little groupings who have their own ideas. The fact that it’s starting fresh and everyone expressed how they feel, it’s been very exciting for me.”
Robert Kraft on the #Patriots offense:
“Any of us that are fans of the team know we wanna try to strengthen the offense a little. On the line, in the receiver area, maybe a speed running back… I have confidence that this [staff] is all on the same page.”
(🎥 @Patriots) pic.twitter.com/NJ04Wilguz
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) April 1, 2025
That emphasis on unity and collaboration marks a shift from recent years, when the Patriots often appeared divided in their approach — particularly when building the roster and executing on the field.
Kraft: ‘It’s the Culture That Matters’ With Patriots Organization
For Kraft, fixing the Patriots isn’t just about talent — it’s about getting the culture right. He was candid in his belief that the team had lost some of the openness and accountability that once defined the organization.
“I’ve learned in every organization, it’s the culture that matters, and people have to be comfortable speaking up and saying I don’t agree,” he said.
“And sometimes you can be in a business environment where people are afraid to do that. I think the culture now is an open culture where people are free to express opinions. There are a lot of different points of view, and it’s healthy. In life, it’s important to know what you don’t know and then get the best people around you.”
With Vrabel in charge and the front office seemingly aligned on a vision, Kraft said he’s seeing early signs of a stronger foundation.
“I think having the infusion of the new people, and having a plan and being able to connect the dots and put it all together, I see it happening, and I’m probably too excited. But I am,” he added. “The truth is I’m very excited about this coming year, and I can’t wait for the games to begin.”
Top-5 Picks Aren’t the Patriot Way — but Kraft Sees a Golden Opportunity
The Patriots will again pick in the top five of the 2025 NFL Draft — unthinkable during the Brady-Belichick era but a reality since. Kraft knows this level of losing can’t continue.
“I hope that we’re never drafting No. 4 again in my lifetime,” he said. “But today, it’s a great opportunity, and in the end, if you want to build a team that is going to win and sustain winning, you have to have good drafts.”
He didn’t sugarcoat the team’s recent missteps in the draft either. “Unfortunately, over the last few years, we have not done a good job in that area. I think the organization has reshuffled how we do things, on priorities, and how we value it. And I hope we start to see the impact of that over the next couple of years.”
The Patriots are no longer the sure-thing contenders they once were. But with a new coach, a clear message from ownership, and a premium draft pick ahead, New England finally has a sense that the rebuild might be heading in the right direction.