{"id":65325,"date":"2026-02-04T08:53:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T13:53:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=65325"},"modified":"2026-02-04T10:53:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T15:53:06","slug":"patriots-coach-vrabel-emphasizes-family-as-vikings-controversy-unfolds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/02\/04\/patriots-coach-vrabel-emphasizes-family-as-vikings-controversy-unfolds\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Coach Vrabel Emphasizes Support ‘On and off the Field’ Amid Vikings Controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mike Vrabel loves the game of football, but he also has his priorities straight.<\/p>\n

As much as Vrabel lives and breathes the sport he played and now coaches, we’ve already seen how much he understands where it ranks when it comes to family.<\/p>\n

However, one recent story has focused in on former Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was recently fired by the team this offseason.\u00a0 Adofo-Mensah apparently worked remotely for a brief period in 2023 following the birth of his first child, which was detailed recently<\/strong><\/a> by The Athletic’s Alec Lewis and Dianna Russini.<\/p>\n

He reportedly missed training camp meetings and practices while on paternity leave, instead working remotely over that span.\u00a0 That decision to be away from the team has seemingly been a topic of discussion in league circles in recent days, and Vrabel was asked about Adofo-Mensah’s situation on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

He was asked if the news shocked him, along with how he decides when it’s a good time to stop thinking about football.\u00a0 However, the Patriots’ head coach more or less stayed away from the question, but instead emphasized the fact that he supports the people around him both on and off the field.<\/p>\n

“Well, I don’t think there’s ever a time to stop thinking about football,” said Vrabel<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 “Football has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old and started to be able to play. We do everything that we possibly can to support the people in our building, on and off the field, our coaches, and I’m really trying to do everything that we can to support the men and women in our building, and that’s where my focus is.”<\/p>\n

Vrabel has been true to his word in supporting his players.\u00a0 Personal absences for the birth of a child are definitely common, and we’ve seen that occur many times over the years, even before he became the Patriots coach.<\/p>\n

Still, if there’s any question about Vrabel’s support when it comes to family with the guys in his locker room, all you have to do is look at the situation with Jahlani Tavai this season.\u00a0 He and his wife endured a tragedy after both losing their child, with Tavai also seeing his wife be placed in a medically induced coma.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Mike<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Tavai was gone for an extended period, with no details released publicly until the linebacker’s wife finally announced it<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 His teammates were obviously aware, and credit them for never saying what happened while all of that was unfolding, as well as for not leaking the details to the media.<\/p>\n

Internally, Vrabel handled it the best way he could have.\u00a0 Rather than make it something his player dealt with privately and simply keep the train moving forward, Vrabel didn’t do that.\u00a0 Instead, he took additional steps to make sure Tavai felt his teammates’ love and support by having the group FaceTime him, and it was obviously something the veteran appreciated.<\/p>\n

More importantly, it showed everyone in that locker room that they’re more than just players.\u00a0 Vrabel cares deeply for each and every one of them.\u00a0 It also showed that while Vrabel may have said he always thinks about football, he absolutely knows there are times when it needs to take a backseat to family.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Jahlani<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: David Butler II-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Since coming back, Tavai’s also played in over 70% of the snaps on defense<\/strong><\/a>, and seems to be playing inspired football during this postseason run.\u00a0 Should they raise a trophy, there will likely be tears that will go beyond being a champion, given what his family has been through this year.<\/p>\n

Vrabel has mentioned repeatedly throughout his first year here in New England that the people they love always come first.\u00a0 As a former player, he understands the balance that goes along with both the business and personal side of this sport.\u00a0 He noted that family is the driving factor in why they do what they do, and he’s enjoyed the process that goes along with that.<\/p>\n

“I appreciate where they all come from,” Vrabel said earlier this season<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 “I appreciate their backgrounds. You can see the type of people they are by when you meet their families. I think that’s something that really shows in the pride that they have.”<\/p>\n

“We do this to provide for our family. So outside of winning, let’s be honest, that’s why we do this. So I enjoy meeting their families, and I enjoy meeting the people that they care about. And we always said things that are important to them should be important to us.”<\/p>\n

That’s certainly part of what’s made this current run so special.\u00a0 He said on Monday that times like this week are rare, but enjoying it with the people they love is something he hopes his players do as they continue getting ready for Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019ve talked about this entire season, especially in the playoffs, is being able to embrace the preparation, embrace the hard work that it takes that goes into this, but also to be able to enjoy everything that comes along with this,” said Vrabel<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 “We have to enjoy moments like this. We have to enjoy the execution. We have to enjoy our families when they get out there. But we also have to be able to embrace the preparation.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel emphasizes family values amid Vikings controversy, showcasing support for players during personal 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