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Following Sunday night’s disappointing 29-13 Super Bowl loss, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel sat down with the media after addressing the players in his locker room while trying to also come to grips with the fact that his team’s season was finally over.
Back on the field, the Seahawks were showered with confetti and raised the Lombardi Trophy.
For the Patriots, it was obviously a different story.
As Vrabel met with reporters, not far away was his quarterback, Drake Maye, who got emotional during his own press conference, as both men dealt with the crash of coming down from a loss like this.
It had been a long night for Maye, who was beaten down after a relentless Seahawks pass rush left him battered and bruised, adding more insult to his already injured shoulder.
But the disappointment stings worse than the pain, and for Vrabel, he spent a long time with a group that came away on the wrong side of things Sunday night.
Still, six months from now, Vrabel will be back out on the field, just one month away from starting all over again. When that time comes, Maye will be heading into his third season, looking forward to hopefully building on what, aside from Sunday night, had been a solid year.
That’s why as Maye discussed his disappointment, as well as his admiration of his coach, Vrabel let everyone know that this is just a bump in the road. They’ve still got plenty of things left to accomplish.
“We spend a lot of time together, and I’m sure he’s over there talking about all the things that he has to do to improve and what he could have done better,” said Vrabel. “Those are the types of guys that we have.”
“I care deeply about them. I’m confident that they’ll be back, and they’ll do everything that they can to help this team and improve. We won a lot of football games with the guys that we have, and Drake’s a big reason why we’re here. I can’t wait to get back and coach him again.”
It’s been a long season, and Vrabel’s seen development from many players on his team. Maye is obviously the most notable, just given the nature of the position.
Prior to Sunday night, the mood had seemed pretty upbeat with Vrabel and everyone in his locker room. The group took time to enjoy the little moments before the game, all the while being locked in at the task at hand after what, by all indications, seemed to be a good week of practice.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go their way and coming off the field, there was plenty of disappointment. Maye talked about the fact it’s something he’ll use as fuel and “it’s how you bounce back” that will be what motivates him heading into next season.
For Vrabel, the 2025 campaign is one that he’s proud of, and it’s been a rewarding one for him as well.
“Unbelievably rewarding,” said Vrabel. “I can’t tell these players enough how proud I am of them. And again, we’re disappointed, not discouraged.”
“I reminded them that we’re 307 days into what hopefully is a long, successful relationship and program, and it’s okay to be disappointed.”
As they get set to return to Foxboro for one final time before the offseason, the message from Vrabel was clear. He told players “we can’t take it out on the people that love us the most,” while adding that it will soon be time to turn the page and start working toward the future.
“I’m sure they’re going to want a break from me, but the show goes on,” said Vrabel. “We got to get back to work.”
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I saw a comment from someone that Mayes injury was moreso cumulative throwing related vs a recent hit he took. He banged it vs Denver but hey, he got his arm and body beaten weekly. Hopefully the issue is a treatable tendinitis. I can’t imagine he played with a separation or something that could be worsened by playing. So hopefully he’s fine. He certainly wasn’t the same at years end. That’s football. Tough sport to win in.