A lot has happened to the New England Patriots.This includes their Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks in February, and the March-April revelation that head coach Mike Vrabel was reportedly photographed with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Arizona. Those were not the only disasters.The Patriots also lost Stefon Diggs, the explosive 1,000-yard wide receiver who energized the locker room and the field.The team apparently cut him because of off-field legal issues, despite signing him for three seasons. Then came the famous trade that brought veteran wideout A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Patriots, an idea seemingly ignited by Dianna Russini.If all that wasn’t enough for the coach to lose faith and say something like, “we’re not a very deep team”, what else could be?Mike Vrabel’s recent comment about the team reportedly raises questions about Brown’s importance. It might even make people wonder if the coach misses his fiery player from the 2025 season, Stefon Diggs.
Mike Vrabel reveals the New England Patriots don’t have a very deep team
At a recent New England Patriots press conference, a reporter asked whether quarterback Drake Maye, A.J. Brown, and the other starters would play in the final preseason game, or whether the joint practices they’d had were enough preparation for the upcoming season and meant they didn’t need to play in the preseason.The Patriots head coach, Mike Vrabel, replied:“I don’t think we have a very deep team, Mike, so, you know, I think we have to make sure that we’re preparing our football team and that we’re doing everything that we can to keep our best players available.And if that means playing Thursday [in New England’s final preseason game] as part of preparation, that’s what we’ll do. Have not made that decision yet, but I would say that that’s something that I’m confident in with where we’re set up currently.”It’s the “don’t have a very deep team” part that stays with you. Is he reportedly not confident enough in A.J. Brown? That he wouldn’t get injured? Would Brown prove to be much, much better than Stefon Diggs? Or is it something else? Just speculations here…
Patriots’ lack of depth solution
CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo reports that Mike Vrabel’s direct admission means he is keeping his starters out of preseason games because the Patriots cannot afford to lose any of them, as they do not have the depth necessary to replace them.This could become concerning over the course of the season. Depth is essential for a team to endure the wear and tear of a 17-game regular season.If the Patriots lack depth, they could sign new players who become available at the end of the preseason when teams make their 53-man roster cuts. The Patriots could also trade for players from other teams at any time until November 10, 2026.The best option would also be for Mike Vrabel and the other coaches to train their backups, who currently make up the roster.
Mike Vrabel clarifies his “not very deep” comment
“We are the front office. We’re all included in this,” Vrabel said on WEEI-FM radio. “I can walk it [‘not very deep comment’] back; I’ve already talked to [vice president of player personnel] Eliot [Wolf] this morning…I’m not into subtle comments.”“When you look at how you want to be constructed, we have to continue to draft very well,” the head coach said.“We have to continue to develop those late-round picks, the guys you can find who can be interior offensive linemen, who can be special teams linebackers…some edge guys you can develop. I think we can always work to improve that.”The Patriots lost starting interior offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears this offseason.They also lost edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson to the Washington Commanders, where he will reunite with Stefon Diggs. The Patriots also released special teams linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Anfernee Jennings this offseason.The coach clarified that he is not talking about wide receivers; he is not talking about A.J. Brown or missing Stefon Diggs. It’s the late-round picks that need development, interior offensive linemen, special teams linebackers, and some edge rushers too.The coach lost Super Bowl-reaching team members this offseason; he is bound to feel a little bit “not very deep.” It doesn’t mean he is missing former players. He just wants to strengthen his backup army.But then the Patriots just traded wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans for a safety – for Jaylen Reed. What is happening in New England? Is the wide receiver room depth really too much of a concern right now?There are concerns about A.J. Brown’s injury too. The Patriots will have to be careful with the star veteran wide receiver. He almost had two injuries in August practice – a thumb injury and an awkward misstep.But again, the coach is not missing Stefon Diggs! So we shall all move on from that…