SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Mike Vrabel’s outstanding Patriots turnaround earned him his second NFL Coach of the Yr award.
New England’s head coach was acknowledged because the league’s finest by the Related Press throughout Thursday’s NFL Honors ceremony.
Vrabel, who additionally gained Coach of the Yr with the Tennessee Titans in 2021, steered the Patriots to a 14-3 document and a berth in Tremendous Bowl LX in his first season on the job, revitalizing the storied franchise following back-to-back 4-13 campaigns.
A 3-time champion throughout his Patriots taking part in profession, Vrabel has an opportunity to grow to be the fourth particular person to win a Tremendous Bowl as a participant and a head coach, and the primary to take action with the identical crew. The Patriots will face the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
“I can’t even put into phrases typically all he’s accomplished for us, for me personally and simply all of us as a crew,” Patriots tight finish and co-captain Hunter Henry stated Thursday. “He actually introduced us collectively, man. He’s form of the glue that holds this collectively. Clearly, we’re a extremely shut crew, however he calls for rather a lot out of us, and I feel everyone thrives off that. He is aware of the precise buttons to push. It’s been enjoyable to be part of, and I really like taking part in for Vrabes.”
Vrabel’s quarterback, Drake Maye, was a finalist for Most Useful Participant and Offensive Participant of the Yr, however misplaced out to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Seahawks broad receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, respectively.
Maye falling brief within the MVP race was not a shock after Stafford beat him out for first-team All-Professional honors. Maye made the second crew, and the Professional Bowl, following a sensational sophomore season during which he led the NFL in completion proportion, yards per try, passer ranking, QBR and anticipated factors added per dropback, amongst different metrics.
Stafford had the sting in conventional counting stats, throwing for 4,707 yards to Maye’s 4,394 and 46 touchdowns and eight interceptions to Maye’s 31 and eight.
The 2 QBs have been separated by simply 5 voting factors. Stafford obtained 266 factors and 24 first-place votes; Maye, 261 and 23.
This weekend, the 23-year-old Maye will grow to be the second-youngest QB to start out a Tremendous Bowl, behind Dan Marino in Tremendous Bowl XIX. If Patriots defeat the favored Seahawks, he’d be the youngest-ever Tremendous Bowl-winning signal-caller, breaking Ben Roethlisberger’s document.
“I feel all of it begins with expertise,” Vrabel stated this week. “I feel he’s extraordinarily gifted. I feel he’s athletic. I feel he performs the place athletically and that enables him to be correct with the soccer, whether or not that’s within the pocket or prolonged performs. He’s a competitor. He’s at all times attempting to be taught. Continues to construct and develop as a frontrunner. So, his success and his efficiency is a big a part of why we’re right here.”
Patriots operating again TreVeyon Henderson (Offensive Rookie of the Yr), broad receiver Stefon Diggs (Comeback Participant of the Yr) additionally have been finalists for awards that went to Carolina Panthers broad receiver Tetairoa McMillan and San Francisco operating again Christian McCaffrey, respectively.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels gained Assistant Coach of the Yr.
