Boston Magazine names Maye, Vrabel ‘Most Influential Bostonians’

Sports activities proceed to dominate the panorama in Boston — not less than in line with Boston Journal.

Contemporary off of enjoying a key position in main the New England Patriots to an surprising look in Tremendous Bowl LX, Boston Journal named Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and Patriots QB Drake Maye as the “Most Influential Bostonians” for 2026.

The duo led a listing that included Governor Maura Healey (No. 2), Japanese Financial institution govt chair Bob Rivers (No. 3), Mayor Michelle Wu (No. 4), and The ‘Quin Home co-founders Sandy and Paul Edgerley (No. 5).

Getting into the 2025 season, expectations have been low for a Patriots crew anticipated to be within the midst of a multi-year rebuild.

However, below Vrabel’s management in his first yr as Patriots head coach — and a MVP-level marketing campaign from Maye in simply his second yr within the NFL ranks — the Patriots posted a 14-3 report and made all of it the way in which to Tremendous Bowl LX towards the Seattle Seahawks.

New England finally fell to Seattle, 29-13, at Levi’s Stadium.

In what was anticipated to be a down yr for Boston sports activities going into the autumn of 2025, the Patriots have seemingly accelerated their timeline and re-established themselves as a premier energy within the AFC for 2026 and past.

“One yr in the past, the Patriots had gone 4–13 in back-to-back seasons,” Boston Journal wrote of Vrabel and Maye’s affect final yr. “5-year-olds had by no means identified a New England playoff crew. Then Vrabel—three-time Tremendous Bowl champion, beloved former linebacker, a person who isn’t afraid to go to counseling—got here house. And the quarterback everybody had been ready for lastly confirmed up. Maye accomplished 72 % of his passes, led the league in QB ranking, and was robbed of the MVP by voters who selected a veteran over a revelation. Vrabel received Coach of the 12 months. The Patriots went 14–3 and seized the AFC crown.

“Sure, they misplaced the Tremendous Bowl. And it stung just like the bitter chilly. However they confirmed this metropolis what it seems to be like to beat adversity—on the sphere and off. For a metropolis that wanted it, the enjoyment was actual. That doesn’t go away.”

Expectations are excessive for the Patriots as soon as once more going into the 2026 season.

Even with a daunting regular-season schedule on deck, one other season of NFL expertise ought to solely assist Maye, who completed second in NFL MVP voting.

Vrabel — who has come under fire for the ongoing controversy concerning his relationship with former The Athletic NFL author Dianna Russini — is reportedly back at work at the Patriots team facility in Foxborough this week as New England begins laying the groundwork for a brand new soccer marketing campaign.

Maye and Vrabel aren’t the one Boston sports activities stars to make the highest 10 of Boston Journal’s newest record of probably the most influential Bostonians.

Celtics star Jaylen Brown ranked No. 8 after a season the place he helped lead Boston — enjoying with out Jayson Tatum for a lot of the season — again to the playoffs in what was initially deemed as a bridge yr for the NBA franchise.

Boston Journal additionally lauded Brown for his lively position within the Boston neighborhood.

“What does an NBA famous person do on his break day? For those who’re Brown, you host a fundraising bowling occasion for Boston youngsters or an schooling honest in Roxbury, with greater than 50 partnering organizations,” the outlet wrote of the Celtics star.

“Now in his tenth season sporting inexperienced—and carrying the Celtics by Jayson Tatum’s Achilles harm — Brown is having his finest yr but, averaging profession highs throughout the board. He’s stepped up on and off the courtroom, and the town adores him for it.”

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Crimson Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.