The NFL knows that training camp will start some of the most grueling competition battles of the whole year. Players will be fighting for their careers in trying to prove their worth on an NFL roster. However, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel got heated about a different kind of question.
So much so that he let the reporter know exactly how he feels.
“Did You Really Believe That?” NFL Head Coach Mike Vrabel Goes Nuclear On Reporter (Watch)
Mar 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discusses the teamís recent free agent additions with the media at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Mar 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discusses the team’s recent free agent additions with the media at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Mike Vrabel may not have served as Belichick’s assistant, but he shares the coach’s disdain for the NFL media:
During Thursday’s press conference, NBC Sports Boston reporter Phil Perry asked Vrabel to comment on some recent statements that Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs made in an interview with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Diggs hinted that he “wasn’t too excited” so Perry asked for his thoughts on that.
But Vrabel just went off.
“Did you really believe that Phil?” Vrabel asked before going on a tirade. “I mean, you are a smart guy. I don’t know where you went to school. It wasn’t Ohio State. Like, do you really believe that? Do you really believe that Phil? Or are you just trying to bait me into something?”
Perry tried to defend himself but Vrabel wasn’t having it.
Mar 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discusses the teamís recent free agent additions with the media at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Mar 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discusses the team’s recent free agent additions with the media at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
“I’m not baiting you into anything,” Perry said. “He did say he wasn’t sure he would be ready for Week 1. Is there any doubt in your mind that he will be ready?”
“I don’t know the context in which he said it,” Vrabel said back. “You’d have to help me. I mean, he’s been out here almost every day. I’m excited on where he is at. We’ll see when Week 1 comes. He’s gonna practice today. Hopefully he helps us in the red zone. But we can’t predict the future about Week 1. He’s gonna be out there today. He works hard, he cares, which are two important things.”
Mar 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discusses the teamís recent free agent additions with the media at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Mar 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discusses the team’s recent free agent additions with the media at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
NFL fans don’t have a whole lot of respect for reporters, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that Patriots fans are rallying behind Vrabel in this little squabble.
“Vrabel destroyed Phil perry. That was fantastic,” one user remarked on X.
“This is the stuff that endears Vrabel to the fan base. No reason for Perry to try to stir up drama but yet that’s all this media group does. Because they’re not good at their job, so they need controversy to be entertaining. Now Perry has ‘started a conversation’ about Diggs,” wrote another.
“Perry looks like a massive dweb here. We know for a fact diggs has looked good in camp because we see clips daily. Guy got called out by Vrabel and now wanted to double down with his buddy here to back him up,” a third wrote.
“Mike Vrabel on fire during press conference today. Opened the season decapitating Volin. Today’s mid-day lunch snack was Phil Perry’s head on a platter!! LMAO.”
Looks like this round belongs to Vrabel.
Apr 23, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks with Patriots owner Robert Kraft courtside during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images NFL
Apr 23, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks with Patriots owner Robert Kraft courtside during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images NFL
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