Collaborate with Eliot Wolf? Patriots coach Mike Vrabel doubles down

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel clarified the situation on behalf of vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf.

Vrabel was formally introduced by the organization in Foxborough on Monday, opening the door for the 49-year-old to speak for the first time. Vrabel was as transparent as possible when answering questions from reporters, and during the current media tour, he re-addressed the collaborative relationship with Wolf and the New England front office.

Without hesitation, Vrabel offered his latest candid response on the subject.

“Absolutely. Beyond comfortable,” Vrabel said Tuesday on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “I wouldn’t be there and I think the conversations during the interview process and the conversations over the weekend with Eliot and with Robert and Jonathan (Kraft), and just trying to form a list together in a program. For me, that’s the most important thing. I want to try to build a program around our coaches, our support staff, our personnel department, our players specifically, that people want to be a part of. Which they are proud of. In which they invest time and energy.

The Patriots needed their backup Jerod Mayo first and foremost, and now with Vrabel on board comes the rest of New England’s offseason agenda. There are the likely departures of offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, who recently interviewed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Then, of course, there’s the need to revamp the roster to help Vrabel and 22-year-old quarterback Drake Maye after the North Carolina product’s promising rookie campaign.

New England went after household names like Brandon Aiyuk last offseason and DeAndre Hopkins two offseasons ago. This time, Vrabel will get a first-hand look at the ongoing fight to attract top talent to Foxborough and restore the organization’s tradition as one of the league’s top title contenders. It won’t be easy, but Vrabel and Wolf are ready to take on the challenge that awaits them.