Mike Vrabel already under fire for what is labeled a big preseason mistake

Key Points:

• Mike Vrabel, head coach of the Patriots, is generally praised for leading the team to the Super Bowl in his first season and earning Coach of the Year honors, despite some questionable decisions during the past year.
• The most criticized decision is keeping starters out of the preseason games, which some believe contributed to the Patriots' poor Week 1 loss to the Seahawks and may affect their performance in a challenging upcoming schedule.
• Historically, the Patriots have had starters play at least some preseason snaps to regain game rhythm, but in 2026, nearly all starters were sidelined for all three preseason games, leading to concerns about rust and nerves during the opener.
• However, evidence suggests that lack of preseason play likely did not significantly impact the Week 1 outcome, as similar struggles occurred in previous seasons despite starters participating in preseason games.
• Despite the rough start, the Patriots have a history of slow beginnings followed by strong mid-season performance, indicating that the current situation may not predict the entire 2026 season's success or failure.