The New England Patriots came away with a 24-21 preseason win over Philadelphia on Saturday, but Mike Vrabel was more interested in what the night revealed about the roster behind his starters.
Asked whether quarterback Drake Maye and other regulars need game-speed work in Thursday’s preseason finale at Cleveland, Vrabel offered a candid assessment of why New England has been careful with its top players.
“I do not think we have a very deep team,” Vrabel said in the Patriots’ postgame transcript.
He also had some issues with his squad’s play when he called a timeout near the end of the first quarter.
“I saw dog [expletive] defense, and I wanted to talk to them, and I figured that if I did not call a timeout, that I would not be able to get what I wanted to say off my chest.”
These comments hit hard for a team coming off a Super Bowl appearance and heading into 2026 with championship expectations.
Vrabel also added that the coaching staff has to balance preparation with keeping its best players available.
He has yet to decide whether Maye and the starters will play Thursday.
Vrabel’s Admission Puts Patriots Depth Under Spotlight
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 22: Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the second half of the preseason game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Most of New England’s prominent starters sat for the second consecutive preseason game after getting extensive work during joint practices.
Maye dressed but didn’t play, with Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar noting that the quarterback took more than 50 combined reps during the two joint sessions with Philadelphia.
That left Vrabel with a long look at the players fighting for jobs and backup roles.
Lazar wrote that New England appears thin at linebacker and along both lines.
The offensive line took another hit on the opening drive when Marcus Bryant suffered an ankle injury, and his absence forced the Patriots to lean heavily on their first-round rookie tackle for the rest of the night.
Before Vrabel’s comments, the Patriots had moved to reinforce the interior of the offensive line. New England signed veteran Greg Van Roten on Aug. 18 after injuries created uncertainty up front.
The 36-year-old dressed Saturday but didn’t play.
In the end, Vrabel’s words help explain why New England has been willing to protect Maye and several other key contributors during the preseason.
Patriots Have Explored Veteran Help
GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 07: Samaje Perine #34 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Shaq Thompson #45 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
New England’s recent activity suggests the front office shares at least some of Vrabel’s concern.
The Patriots hosted veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones for visits on Aug. 18. Both spent last season in Buffalo and remain unsigned.
The visits came while New England was dealing with absences and unpredictability in the defensive front seven, as we previously reported.
That concern didn’t disappear against Philadelphia.
Lazar identified inside linebacker as an area of concern after the reserves struggled, with injuries further testing the group. He wrote that Thompson could remain an option behind New England’s starters.
The Patriots have also made several offensive line moves this month.
Their official transaction log shows Greg Van Roten joining the club three days after New England signed two other linemen and placed a reserve guard on injured reserve.
There’s still time for the roster to change.
NFL teams must trim to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 30, creating a wave of cuts and potential trade opportunities across the league, per the NFL’s 2026-27 calendar.
Vrabel didn’t promise another addition after Saturday’s win, and New England may prefer to see who becomes available once those decisions begin.
His description of the roster, however, leaves hardly any ambiguity about the area he wants improved.
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Sounds Alarm on Roster After Eagles Win