logo
Patriots legend sees Mike Vrabel leading team back to playoffs

Patriots legend sees Mike Vrabel leading team back to playoffs

USA Today15-02-2025

Former New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe believes the organization will return to playoff contention within a few years under coach Mike Vrabel.
'I would predict that within the next two, three, four years they're gonna be contenders again,' Bledsoe said on NESN's 'Boston Has Entered The Chat' podcast, as transcribed by NESN.com. 'And they're gonna be back in the hunt.'
The Patriots will obviously have their work cut out considering they've gone back-to-back seasons with a 4-13 record. However, there's renewed hope with Vrabel in the mix and Drake Maye under center at quarterback. They have a legitimate shot at turning things around and returning to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season.
But the front office must knock it out of the park, starting with this offseason. They'll have the most salary cap space in the NFL and the No. 4 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft. All of the pieces are there to begin the turnaround run in New England.
A new and experienced coaching staff coupled with Maye and the right roster moves could lead to a dramatic difference for the Patriots in 2025 and beyond.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Washington Commanders trade idea nets former No. 4 overall pick to help Jayden Daniels
Washington Commanders trade idea nets former No. 4 overall pick to help Jayden Daniels

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Washington Commanders trade idea nets former No. 4 overall pick to help Jayden Daniels

After Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels helped the Washington Commanders become one of the NFL's best teams last season, they knew it was time to go all-in this offseason. We've since seen the Commanders add several big-name talents such as Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil. The Commanders' additions should help upgrade the roster, but what if the Commanders aren't done swinging for the fences? Recently, another highly intriguing player became available, and he fits one of the Commanders' key needs. Advertisement Specifically, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox believes the Commanders could be a viable suitor to trade for Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. Knox's Pitts trade idea sends the former No. 4 overall pick to DC in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026 and 2027. 'Ertz, who will turn 35 in November, isn't a long-term answer for the Commanders. Pitts could be, and even if Sinnott starts playing up to his draft status, having two potent tight ends would be valuable. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could have a lot of fun scheming up mismatches with Pitts, Sinnott, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel in the passing game. Washington might have to pay a bit of a premium to snag Pitts from a potential playoff rival, and it won't have a 2026 second-round pick because of the Laremy Tunsil trade. Washington does, however, have more than $21 million in available cap space.' Bleacher Report on Kyle Pitts trade to Commanders While the Commanders don't have as much draft capital as other teams due to already making aggressive moves this offseason, they may see the value in targeting a player with sky-high potential like Pitts. Still just 24, Pitts broke out onto the scene with a 1,026-yard season as a rookie, but he hasn't been able to replicate that performance since, topping out at 667 yards in 2023. Could Washington unlock another level of production out of the former first-round pick? With Jayden Daniels, anything is possible. Related: NFL insider addresses Washington Commanders' pursuit of pass-rushers

Packers Receiver Cornelius Johnson Gives Answer Fans Wanted Before Season
Packers Receiver Cornelius Johnson Gives Answer Fans Wanted Before Season

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Packers Receiver Cornelius Johnson Gives Answer Fans Wanted Before Season

Packers Receiver Cornelius Johnson Gives Answer Fans Wanted Before Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Green Bay Packers are preparing for another push in the competitive NFC North, with mandatory minicamp happening months before the real games begin. The dust has settled after the Jaire Alexander release, allowing players to focus on some early practice this past week. Advertisement They'll still have key players on the roster, with quarterback Jordan Love hoping to guide them to further playoff success. He'll have preferred targets like Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, and rookie Matthew Golden for the upcoming campaign. The team closed out the 2024 season, finishing third in the division, and bowed out of the Wild Card Playoffs to the eventual champion, the Philadelphia Eagles. And while practice remains critical to a better Packers season, players recently had vacation destinations on their minds. Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (WO13) talks to the media at the NFL Ruszkowski-Imagn Images That wasn't necessarily due to a lack of focus, but instead for the team's social media clip. In the X video, several players were on their way to the field or back from it, and we're asked about their bucket list destinations. Advertisement Most players had intriguing choices. For Javon Bullard and Pro Bowler Xavier McKinney, it was Africa. Golden named Ireland. Evan Williams wouldn't mind going to a foreign island, such as the Bahamas or Fiji. Mecole Hardman indicated he'd like to go check out "the pyramids" for his bucket list. And all of these sound enticing for players booking future travel plans. However, it was wide receiver Cornelius Johnson scoring some major points, naming a destination that Packers fans would love to see him at next year. "Super Bowl," he simply replied, suggesting that he's locked in on achieving that goal. "Cornelius has his priorities straight," one X commenter said in the video replies. Advertisement "W Cornelius," another individual wrote. "Best answer...@CorneliusNation," an X commenter added. The Packers have been to the Super Bowl five times, achieving four wins. Fans haven't seen them reach that ultimate team destination since Super Bowl XLV in 2011, where Aaron Rodgers led them to the championship, defeating the Steelers 31-25. According to Vegas Insider, the team opened in the top 10 for Super Bowl odds, tied with the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders at +2000. While Johnson's still a newcomer to the league, he certainly has the right idea and approach as he looks to contribute in Green Bay. Advertisement The former Michigan Wolverine entered the NFL last season and the Los Angeles Chargers took him 253rd overall. However, he never got to participate in their games after being released from the team's practice squad last August. The Packers signed him to their practice squad soon after. Earlier this year, Johnson signed a future/reserve contract, and now sits at fourth on the team's depth chart for receivers. Related: Packers' Matt LaFleur Praises 1,700-Yard WR Ahead Of Mandatory Minicamp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.

The bizarre Giants moment when Darren Waller decided to retire: ‘What the f–k am I doing?'
The bizarre Giants moment when Darren Waller decided to retire: ‘What the f–k am I doing?'

New York Post

timean hour ago

  • New York Post

The bizarre Giants moment when Darren Waller decided to retire: ‘What the f–k am I doing?'

About two hours before tight end Darren Waller tried to make a game-winning walk-off touchdown catch for the Giants, he decided to retire. Waller, who officially announced his retirement in June 2024, said he made up his mind about eight months earlier while playing against the Bills on Oct. 15, 2023. 'It was in the first quarter of the game,' Waller said on 'The Side You Don't See' podcast. 'We were running like this counter-lead running play, and I'm kind of like leading through the hole like I'm a fullback. And the play is working, but I sit down on the sideline after a drive where we ran it like three times and I'm like, 'What the f–k am I doing with my life? I'm out here playing fullback. I don't even want to do this sh– anymore.'' Advertisement The game ended in a 14-9 loss for the Giants when Tyrod Taylor's pass to Waller from the 1-yard line fell incomplete. 3 Darren Waller makes a catch for the Giants in January 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The Giants wanted a penalty flag for defensive pass interference, but that would've made two in a row since they were already playing on an untimed down after a defensive pass-interference penalty moved the ball at the 1. Advertisement Waller kept his decision to himself during the game. 3 Darren Waller thought about his NFL future during a Giants-Bills game in October 2023. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con 'I'm just like looking at the moon,' Waller said. 'It's like early first quarter, second quarter. Nobody else would even really know that I'm thinking this. But I'm on the sideline like, 'Yup, I'm going to finish this year to the best of my ability, but I'm definitely done playing after this year.'' Waller's only touchdown with the Giants came the next week against Washington. Advertisement But Waller missed five games later that season with both a hamstring injury and when he was hospitalized after what he described upon retirement as a near-death experience. He said he had trouble breathing and was 'shaking uncontrollably' and 'losing consciousness' in his hotel room. Waller came to the Giants as a recovering drug and alcohol addict who had been suspended by the NFL for substance abuse early in his career. He always has been open about his journey to getting clean. 3 Darren Waller speaking to the media at the New York Giants training facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Advertisement The former Pro Bowler returned to play the final four games of the 2023 season and publicly deflected questions about his future, but he privately informed the Giants that he was considering retirement in January, as The Post previously reported. The Giants — who traded a third-round pick in the 2023 draft to the Raiders thinking that they would have multiple seasons of Waller's services — believed he might change his mind and play again at least as late as March 2024. Waller told The Post around that same time that he was still undecided. But the Giants drafted tight end Theo Johnson in April 2024 and Waller's retirement soon followed. He is a podcaster and burgeoning rapper in retirement.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store