Patriots-Vikings joint observe prompts loads of reunions

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Quickly after Mike Vrabel was employed as head coach of the New England Patriots earlier this yr, his counterpart with the Minnesota Vikings, Kevin O’Connell, referred to as with a invitation.

Joint observe, our place. Similar to we did it earlier than.

Two years after Vrabel introduced the Tennessee Titans to Minnesota for some invaluable coaching camp work towards one other crew, he took the Patriots this week for 2 days of drills towards the Vikings prematurely of their preseason recreation.

“There’s a purpose why the Patriots are right here: It begins with their head soccer coach and their group itself,” mentioned O’Connell, who’s beginning his fourth yr in Minnesota. “I’ve acquired a lot respect for Vrabes and our relationship through the years.”

O’Connell was a rookie backup quarterback with the Patriots in 2008, the final of eight seasons Vrabel performed outdoors linebacker for them. Vrabel, a 14-year NFL veteran, coached the Titans for six seasons and spent 2024 as a guide for the Cleveland Browns.

Requested about his impression of O’Connell as a participant, Vrabel was prepared with a quip earlier than the groups took the sector on Wednesday afternoon.

“He wasn’t nearly as good as Tom Brady,” he mentioned, with a deadpan expression.

Catching up with previous mates

Vrabel and O’Connell had been removed from the one connections between the 2 groups. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores spent 15 years with the Patriots group in numerous roles. Stefon Diggs is the highest-profile Patriots participant who beforehand was with the Vikings, however that checklist additionally contains backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs and heart Garrett Bradbury.

Bradbury, like his former head coach O’Connell, talked about the phrase “relationships” when assessing his return to a facility the place he skilled for six seasons after being drafted within the first spherical in 2019 out of North Carolina State.

“On one hand, it appears like I by no means left. Then again, I’ve acquired one other jersey on and a few new teammates,” Bradbury mentioned. “Lots of people right here imply loads to me and helped me the final six years, so it’s good to see everybody once more.”

Bradbury was launched with one season left on his contract, a part of Minnesota’s push to revamp the inside of the offensive line after it was overwhelmed within the wild card spherical loss to the Los Angeles Rams that left O’Connell’s playoff file at 0-2. He didn’t wish to depart, however he’s discovered invigoration in his new environment.

“I believe it ought to be necessary that everybody play for at the least two organizations since you get to re-prove your self, reinvent your self,” Bradbury mentioned, recounting recommendation he acquired from a former participant after he was let go. “You get to fulfill lots of people, make superior mates and see other ways of doing issues.”

No punches, no issues

NFL coaches have grown to a lot want the managed setting of joint practices over exhibition video games throughout which to check their gamers towards totally different opponents. When the Patriots hosted the Washington Commanders final week, a few fights occurred — and Vrabel even jumped into one scrum to attempt to break it up earlier than rising with a bloodied nostril.

The Patriots and Vikings had no such hassle, maybe an indication of the respect between the 2 organizations. As a result of he felt the vitality stage was missing, Patriots large receiver Mack Hollins mentioned later, the eighth-year journeyman determined to punt the ball into the bleachers after an extended landing cross from Drake Maye.

Maye had loads of stress in full-team drills that probably would’ve resulted in sacks throughout video games, however with no tackling allowed he was capable of let a number of deep passes rip down the sector that hit their meant targets. Former Vikings large receiver Diggs caught considered one of them on the sideline with Professional Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. in protection. One other one of many highlights went to rookie operating again TreVeyon Henderson on a well-designed wheel route that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels may properly prefer to dial up once more this season.

“It’s arduous to catch him when he’s within the open subject,” Maye mentioned.