In Mike Vrabel’s first game back in Tennessee since being fired after the 2023 season, his New England Patriots made it a memorable return — cruising to a 31-13 win over the Titans for their fourth straight
victory.
As the Patriots kneeled out the win, chants of Vrabel! Vrabel! echoed through Nissan Stadium.
“I didn’t get that many tickets,” Vrabel replied when asked if his people were chanting. “I don’t know. But that’s neither here nor there. I’m happy for our players. I think these guys, they’re figuring out how to win. They’re figuring out how to practice. I guess it’s humbling to have these people want to — whoever that is — cheer for us. Whether that’s the Patriots, or Drake Maye, or me, or anybody else.”
While there was plenty of reason to cheer for Maye on Sunday as well, as the quarterback set a Patriots single-game franchise record with a 91.3 percent completion percentage, the chants caught the attention of Vrabel’s young QB.
“That’s pretty cool. I think that’s always cool,” Maye said. “He downplayed it all week, which we appreciate. He was focused on us and worried about us and that’s what matters. But I know it feels good for him.”
Since Vrabel’s firing, the Titans have gone through more changes — including dismissing his successor Brian Callahan earlier this week after winning just four games over the last year and a half.
Now in New England, Vrabel has his Patriots at 5-2 and atop the AFC East, earning quick buy-in from his new locker room.
“He brings it every day,” Maye said. “He challenges us but also cares about us. Cares about us outside the building. He’s just awesome to play for.”
“We played for Vrabes, no doubt,” wide receiver DeMario Douglas added. “But, every game, we play for Vrabel.”
