Patriots Are 'Light Years Better' Heading Into 2025 NFL Season
Patriots Are 'Light Years Better' Heading Into 2025 NFL Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New England Patriots are filled with optimism and new faces across the organization. The Patriots just wrapped up their mandatory minicamp, and the optimism surrounding the team is as high as it has been in years.
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With new head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm and promising young quarterback Drake Maye, some fans and local pundits are struggling not to get too excited about this upcoming season.
According to Chad Finn at The Boston Globe, the team looks different after the regime change.
"Just about everything — from the vibes to the talent level to the coaching staff to the overall professionalism — is clearly light-years better," Finn said.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (l) looks over a play with an assistant during minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium.Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Finn noted the experienced new staff surrounding Vrabel, and former head coach Jerod Mayo being in 'over his head' as major differences between this season's outlook and last season's 4-12 results.
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But he did not stop at Mayo's last season, even taking a shot at Belichick's final years.
"An experienced staff that includes Josh McDaniels, Doug Marrone, and Thomas Brown gives the Patriots a high baseline of professionalism that was lacking last season," Finn said. "And frankly, in the last season or two of Belichick's reign, as well."
But the changes do not stop at the coaching staff. This roster is a night-and-day difference from what Finn called last year's "worst roster in the league."
The Patriots made a significant effort to acquire difference-makers and quality starters at key positions of need.
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A mix of young players, such as Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson, are joining veterans like Stefon Diggs, Carlton Davis III, and Morgan Moses. Then just sprinkle in players in their prime like Milton Williams, making it even harder for Finn and others to cool the excitement.
"I'm really struggling not to be relentlessly optimistic here," Finn said.
Related: Patriots' DeMario Douglas Emulates Former Super Bowl-Champion Wide Receiver
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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