It was a beautiful night on August 8, and good vibes were in abundance after the Patriots unveiled a statue of Tom Brady before the game. It was the first game — albeit a preseason contest — of Mike Vrabel’s coaching career in New England.
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But it was TreVeyon Henderson, the rookie running back, who stole the show. Henderson dropped a hammer by taking the opening kickoff back 100 yards for a touchdown.
“He was like a lightning bolt,” quarterback Drake Maye said. “He saw the crease and he was gone.”
The play was the first real indicator that the 2025 rookie class was a special group. Each of the 11 players drafted ended up playing in at least three regular-season games, while several — including Will Campbell and Craig Woodson — would emerge as starters.
New England Patriots TreVeyon Henderson (32) carries the ball for a run back touchdown during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. Greg M. Cooper/Associated Press
On August 10, local media members and their families were sitting down to a complimentary barbecue inside Gillette Stadium, a small token of appreciation from the team as the grind of the regular season drew closer. Mothers, fathers, partners, and children were all enjoying the afternoon.
Roughly halfway through, Vrabel appeared at the door and started shaking hands, speaking with reporters and their families. He asked children how long it was before school started, and if they were going to be playing football that fall. He joked and smiled as he conversed with parents and partners.
Yes, there would still be awkward silences during press conferences, and reporters would have tough questions to ask. But in that moment, the small gesture by the new coach spoke volumes about the new era dawning in Foxborough.
Antonio Gibson scores on a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 7.06 to go in the fourth quarter. The touchdown put the Patriots ahead 30-27.New England Patriots/David Silverman
Miami had taken a 27-22 lead midway through the fourth quarter on the sweltering afternoon of September 14. Despite a solid start for New England, the game looked to be headed the same direction as so many recent Pats-Dolphins games in South Florida over the last decade — with Miami finding a way to win — meaning an 0-2 start to the Vrabel era.
But Antonio Gibson received the ensuing kickoff, found a seam, and sped down the sideline. By the time he hit midfield, there was his head coach on the sideline — sprinting next to him.
Vrabel gamely tried to keep up with Gibson for roughly 10 yards, but the running back soon pulled away. The mad dash would go viral and further endear Vrabel to his players, and provide the enduring image for his first win as the head coach.
“If he was keeping up with me, I have to run faster,” Gibson joked. “I heard he almost caught me.”
Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, shown in 2023 when he was on the Tennessee Titans’ coaching staff, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and took time off for treatment.Wade Payne/Associated Press
Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams had been away from the team for stretches since the spring, and on September 26, we learned more about the medical issue keeping him out. During his Friday press conference, Vrabel announced that Williams had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“You know how much Terrell means to me personally and to the people of this football team,” said Vrabel, who has developed a deep relationship with Williams since their time together on the Tennessee Titans, when Williams was a member of Vrabel’s coaching staff.
Zak Kuhr, the inside linebacker coach, has stepped in as the interim defensive play caller, but Williams has remained a regular visitor at Gillette. And the team has rallied around him, donning “T Strong” shirts during warm-ups after the announcement. Vrabel has honored the coach with a “T Strong” message on his game-day vest throughout the season.
“My prayers go out to [Williams] for real, because he’s a good coach, and he believed in all of us,” said safety Jaylinn Hawkins. “He’s got his kids. That’s something that nobody should go through.”
Drake Maye warms up before a showdown against the Buffalo Bills.
(Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)
Maye breaks a tackle by Bills defensive end Joey Bosa. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)
There were just over two minutes remaining. The Bills had erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the October 5 game at 20. The Buffalo faithful were yowling into the Western New York night, practically shaking the foundation of Highmark Stadium.
That’s when Drake Maye stepped into the huddle with the Patriots at their own 30 yard line, and started the drive of his professional career. The series was highlighted by a 12-yard completion to wide receiver Stefon Diggs — delivered as the quarterback was being hauled to the ground.
He turned “an 8-yard loss to a 12-yard gain,” marveled Vrabel.
Andy Borregales drilled the game-winning field goal from 19 yards to provide the difference in the 23-20 win. Maye, almost perfect in the second half, finished 22-for-30 for 273 yards, and outdueled Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, the reigning MVP.
“Two-minute drive to win it,” Maye said afterward. “That’s what you want.”
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the November 9 game in Tampa, Florida. Jason Behnken/Associated Press
The preseason touchdown wasn’t TreVeyon Henderson’s only memorable run. During the final moments of a steamy November 9 game in Tampa Bay, the Patriots were clinging to a 21-16 lead, looking to run out the clock.
Taking a pitch from Maye, Henderson broke loose and headed down the sideline. But there was a moment of confusion: Should he score? Or sit down before the end zone, killing more clock and effectively ending the game?
He turned to the sideline for a sign.
“I’ve seen some people saying, ‘Go down,’ some people saying to score. It was mixed,” the rookie said sheepishly. “I was trying to find one of the coaches, but it was just happening so fast.”
Henderson opted for the end zone en route to a 28-23 win. The moment of indecision turned into an internet meme, and another reminder of the transformative impact that the rookie class would have on the 2025 roster.
Patriots players rallied around Jahlani Tavai and his family after his partner, Kalei Mau, shared tragic news on social media.
(Greg M. Cooper/Associated Press)
Hunter Henry runs to the end zone for a second quarter touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in November. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
7. ‘That’s for you, Lani’
Linebacker Jahlani Tavai wasn’t with the team in the days before the November 23 game in Cincinnati. Vrabel told reporters he was out for personal reasons.
During the game, tight end Hunter Henry scored a touchdown. When the cameras found him, he hollered, “That’s for you, Lani.” After the 26-20 win, teammates talked about FaceTiming Tavai, and wanting to win on his behalf.
A couple of weeks later, the reasons behind his absence were revealed: Tavai’s partner, Kalei Mau, shared on social media that she had experienced a stillbirth at six months pregnant while in a medically induced coma due to what she described as a rare blood infection. The team closed ranks around Tavai and his family; the tragedy helped cement an already tight bond in the locker room.
“My thoughts are with Jahlani and what he’s going through. I love Jahlani,” Maye said after the win in Cincinnati. “That’s what’s cool about this game; it’s such a team sport. Guys rally around each other and play for one another.”
Mike Vrabel reacts to a call during a loss to the Bills, which would serve as a wake-up call for the Patriots.
(Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White intercepts a pass from the Patriots’ Drake Maye. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)
The matchup on December 14 was supposed to mark a changing of the guard in the AFC East. A hard-charging New England team, which had won 10 straight games, was ready to assume the throne from the Bills, who had won the division for five straight years.
But Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen didn’t allow that to happen — not on that day, at least — orchestrating a comeback from a 17-point halftime deficit on the way to a 35-31 win.
A group of Buffalo players taunted New England fans on their way off the field, waving goodbye as they danced down the tunnel on the way to the locker room.
The loss stung for New England, but served as a teachable moment. While they were doing a lot of things right, they still needed to find another gear if they were going to be able to compete with the elites in the AFC.
“This is definitely a reality check,” Henry said after the loss. “We’ve got to get a lot better, fast.”
The Patriots would not drop another game on their way to the Super Bowl.
Mack Hollins, seen warming up before the AFC Championship Game in his usual barefoot style, provided a spark in the Patriots’ big win in Denver.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Mack Hollins was back.
The veteran receiver, who had been out for four weeks with an abdomen injury, walked into Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High for the AFC Championship Game on January 25 ready to roll, wearing a leather vest and clinking beer bottles together. “Warriors, come out to play!” he chirped, using the line as a nod to the iconic 1979 film The Warriors.
An example of Hollins’s occasional flair for the dramatic, it showed the Patriots were bent on earning their “road warriors” moniker after going undefeated away from home over the course of the season.
It was also a reminder that while the team boasts marquee talent, it also has complementary pieces — glue guys such as Hollins — who execute their roles at a high level. In the end, the receiver had a pair of catches during a snowy nail-biter in Denver, but it was his infectious energy that made the difference, helping power the Patriots to Super Bowl LX.
Fans have embraced the Patriots’ rallying cry: “We All We Got. We All We Need.”Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots specialized in Super Bowls and inspirational phrases: Do Your Job. No Days Off. Ignore The Noise. We’re On To Cincinnati.
Vrabel, who played for eight seasons under Belichick in New England, has similar philosophies as his former coach. But his team has developed some catchphrases of its own.
“No naps” is a Vrabel favorite, a way of reminding players not to get complacent. “Don’t switch the macaroni and cheese” caught on in the locker room as a way of encouraging players not to change their approach and to stay consistent from week-to-week.
One rallying cry gained steam in the days after the November trade deadline when New England decided to stand pat and not make a move: “We All We Got. We All We Need.”
In a pregame speech before the win in Buffalo, Diggs — the first one to use the phrase, according to teammates — was caught on camera offering a slightly more profane version. It gained momentum, an acknowledgement of the trust generated in the locker room. Players have sported custom hoodies with the slogan, and fans feature it on signs at games.
There have been other milestones, of course, including Maye’s key block on a 65-yard touchdown run by Henderson during the loss to the Bills, and two Marcus Jones punt returns for scores. Ultimately, all these moments, together, show a team evolving beyond what many expected.
“Continue to believe in your brother. Have faith in your brother. And support one another,” said linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson of the “All We Got” mantra. “This bond, this chemistry can take us much further than we can expect.”
Now the world is about to find out just how far they’ll go.
Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.
