Patriots’ icy practice shows Mike Vrabel’s message is hitting home in Foxborough
The New England Patriots made one small decision this week that says everything about the culture shift under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
The forecast in Foxborough might call for freezing temperatures, but under Mike Vrabel, the New England Patriots have never looked warmer.
At 8–2 heading into Week 11, the Patriots are rolling under their first-year head coach, and this week, a simple decision at practice said everything about how deeply his message has taken hold.
Choosing the cold over comfort
On Tuesday, with temperatures hovering near freezing, Vrabel gave his players an option: practice indoors or take it outside in the cold. The team didn’t hesitate. They chose the elements.
“It’s good to get out there,” quarterback Drake Maye said. “It’s part of playing up here. We wanted to embrace it, make it something that gives us an advantage.”
When given the option to move practice inside, the Patriots decided to stick outside to keep the main thing the main thing 💪❄️
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) November 12, 2025
🏆 NE To Win The Super Bowl +1800 pic.twitter.com/yRGFLCzrps
That moment, small as it may seem, reflects how fully Vrabel has reshaped the Patriots’ identity. The 50-year-old former linebacker, known for his physical, player-first mentality, has built a culture around toughness, trust, and accountability.
At the heart of New England’s resurgence is Maye himself. The 23-year-old quarterback is putting together an MVP-caliber season, completing 72 percent of his passes for 2,555 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just five interceptions through ten games. He’s also added 283 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
“It goes back to the little things,” Maye said. “Two hands on the ball...if it’s raining or snowing... We’re trying to make it hard to play up here in December and late in the season.
That mentality mirrors Vrabel’s philosophy: embrace discomfort now to dominate later. The Patriots’ willingness to train in harsh conditions is strategic. Home-field advantage in January starts in November.
Thursday night, the Patriots will unveil their new Nor’Easter-themed uniforms as part of the NFL’s “Rivalries” series when they host the New York Jets. The temperature at kickoff is set to be around 38 degrees, which by Vrabel’s standards, is perfect football weather.
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