It’s evident that the New England Patriots have something totally different in mind with their current regime led by Mike Vrabel, and one player who already knew about this difference before joining the team is K.J. Britt, the Patriots’ newly acquired linebacker. As he comes from the Miami Dolphins, where he spent last season, Britt experienced first hand the physicality of the Patriots.
That experience stayed with him throughout free agency. Reported on May 15, Britt revealed that Vrabel ultimately became the biggest reason he chose the Patriots despite having multiple options available. For the veteran linebacker, it was not just about scheme or money however, it was about finding a coach who truly understands life inside an NFL locker room and a roster fully committed to winning football games.
K.J. Britt Says Mike Vrabel Was the Main Reason He Joined the Patriots
New England Patriots Mike Vrabel
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
During his introductory media session, Britt made it crystal clear that playing for Vrabel heavily influenced his decision to sign a one-year deal with the Patriots. The sixth-year linebacker explained that having a head coach who actually played linebacker in the NFL creates a completely different level of trust and relatability for players.
“He did… I had a few other options, but ultimately I wanted to come here because Coach Vrabel… [He] played this game, he knows the ins and outs of this game. There’s a lot of stuff that y’all don’t know, that we know, that goes on behind closed doors. Once you got somebody who you could relate with, who’s been through this, that’s what you wanna be around… I wanted to be around somebody like Coach Vrabel that’s likeminded and that wants to win.”
KJ Britt on if Mike Vrabel influenced his decision to join the #Patriots:
“He did… I had a few other options, but ultimately I wanted to come here because Coach Vrabel… [He] played this game, he knows the ins and outs of this game. There’s a lot of stuff that y’all don’t know,… pic.twitter.com/nBiVKFlu3N
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) May 15, 2026
That mentality perfectly aligns with what Britt already believed about the Patriots after facing them twice last season. He recalled immediately noticing New England’s physicality during a cold Week 18 matchup in Foxborough while he was still with the Dolphins. This aggressive style and energy was apparent straight away, more than any other team that the Dolphins came up against during the course of the campaign.
In the end, the Patriots went on to record a convincing victory that day, and Britt himself later admitted that he had seen no reason to be surprised by their performance. To him, the way that they played showed how tough and desperate they were, something which set them apart from almost every other roster in the NFL.
One thing that he kept mentioning about himself is that he loves playing alongside people who love football for its own sake. He said that he had always been around blue-collar players and people who just loved playing football, as it helped motivate everyone to step up their game.
Now, the Patriots hope that he can bring that kind of mentality to a linebacker room that needed another body this off-season. Last year, he managed 35 tackles while playing for the Dolphins, and before that, he racked up 72 tackles for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Tom Brady was one of those guys who molded my mind as far as my professional career was concerned,” added Britt. “Coming into the NFL after he won the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, I saw how he prepared and that helped me learn what being a champion really meant.”
Now, Britt believes he has found a similar football culture again in the Patriots, but this time under a coach whose mindset mirrors exactly what he wants at this stage of his career.