Even with the lingering tension between Bill Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, some loyalties run deeper than personal differences. One of them is Mike Vrabel. With Belichick’s former player now at the helm, the legendary coach has every reason to tune in. It is not for the front office, not for old memories, but to see one of his own thrive in a new chapter. That’s what The Athletic‘s latest report suggested.

“While Belichick didn’t get football’s ultimate honor, he is helping the 2025 Coach of the Year,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported. “New England’s Vrabel reached out to Belichick and fellow Super Bowl-winning coach Andy Reid, tapping into their experience as he gets ready for the big game.

“Vrabel, of course, has been to the Super Bowl four times as a player, but never as a head coach.”

No one knows exactly what was said during their conversation, which naturally leaves fans speculating about whether Belichick offered anything more than surface-level guidance. Reaching out to Belichick before Super Bowl LX, however, shows that Vrabel is methodically checking every box and tapping every possible resource in his pursuit of returning the Patriots to championship glory.

During his time with the Patriots, Belichick won the Super Bowl six times. He also won it twice as an assistant with the Giants. All in all, he has been to the big game as a coach 12 times, and so, if anyone can provide useful insights, it would be Belichick. Kansas City Chiefs‘ head coach Andy Reid, too, falls into that category after winning four rings in eight total appearances.

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Though Vrabel and Reid never worked together, the latter’s resume explains why the Patriots’ coach would want his advice. But it doesn’t end here.

As his time in Foxborough ended as a player, Mike Vrabel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 (though Reid hadn’t joined yet). Later in life, though, Vrabel developed a relationship with Reid and made a heartwarming comment in 2019.

“Some people say call me whenever,” Vrabel said about Reid, whom he considered a mentor. “I can only tell that when Andy said that, he meant it. I’ve called him about things that don’t relate to football but relate to this profession. Called him about preparing for interviews and getting ready for this [coaching] opportunity. I’m thankful that I would consider him a friend.”

All that mentorship from Belichick and Reid certainly helped Vrabel. The AP Coach of the Year has been the focal point of the Pats’ incredible turnaround from a 14-loss season to a 14-3 record while bringing home the divisional and conference titles. Now, after interactions with coaching legends like Reid and Belichick, Vrabel should feel confident in his first Super Bowl appearance as a head coach.

But looking forward to the next season, after the Big Game, Vrabel could also use this information to understand how he can improve his current roster and remain a title contender.

Mike Vrabel’s Patriots have high hopes for next season as well

While the upcoming Super Bowl matchup remains the biggest concern for Mike Vrabel, the New England Patriots will have an extremely short window before he and the front office will have to make important roster decisions before the next season.

With that said, Musketfire.com has listed three current starters who could be playing their last game for the Patriots.

The list includes tight end Hunter Henry, wideout Stefon Diggs, and defensive tackle Christian Barmore. All three players have put up solid numbers throughout the season, but factors like age, contract situations, and other off-field issues could force New England to move on from these stars ahead of the 2026 season.

Hunter Henry: He has been a great leader in the locker room. But the franchise needs to sort things out at the TE position after their struggles this season. Henry struggled at the point of attack, and as per PFF’s analysis, the player had a 49.8 run-blocking grade this year. That ranks him 24th on the team.

Stefon Diggs: There are multiple concerns with Diggs as the team looks at the 2026 season. Age (32) and usage are two of those factors. Sure, he has been efficient, but he has been the team’s No. 3 in terms of offensive snaps. He is well behind Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, who each averaged more than 43 snaps per game. By comparison, Diggs logged in just 35.2. That said, he is also dealing with a legal situation.

Christian Barmore: Like Diggs, Barmore, too, is entangled with legal issues. The team has shown support for both players as those legal situations will play out following the Super Bowl. But none of it is a good look for the team. Barmore has also shown disciplinary issues because of which he was benched for the first quarter in Week 8. On the field, though, he wasn’t as dominant with Milton Williams out of the lineup. In the meantime, Cory Durden has begun to surface as a more affordable option, quietly putting pressure on Barmore’s standing.

Now, as Vrabel prepares for his first Super Bowl as head coach with guidance from mentors Belichick and Reid, the Patriots stand on the brink of glory against the Seattle Seahawks. Win or lose, difficult roster decisions loom immediately after the championship game that could reshape New England’s chances of sustaining its remarkable turnaround.