One of the main reasons why the New England Patriots decided to hire Mike Vrabel as the team’s next head coach was that he was familiar with how things were done when the franchise was at its best. This approach was supposed to position the Patriots for their return to glory. But the way the Patriots just lost second-year wide receiver Javon Baker proves that Vrabel has a lot to learn about the current state of the franchise.
According to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com, the Patriots made it clear to the 2024 fourth-round pick upon his initial release that New England wanted to sign him to their practice squad. Rather than doing that, Baker decided taking his talents to Philadelphia and joining the Eagles’ practice squad was the best move he could make. This is a worrying sign that Vrabel may still be living in the past.
When the Patriots cut Javon Baker, he was told they’d like him back on the practice squad.
However, Baker is signing with the Eagles practice squad, per source.
That’s the risk you take and now Baker gets a fresh start
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Patriots’ Decision on Javon Baker Proves Mike Vrabel is Living in the Past
During Vrabel’s heyday, New England had its pick of the litter when it came to building a roster as veterans flocked to the Patriots in hopes of putting themselves in position to win a Super Bowl. Players would trip over each other trying to join the franchise (unless they were scared off by the idea of playing for Bill Belichick). Vrabel, whose previous head-coaching stint was with the much less alluring Tennessee Titans, seems to be hoping that he can leverage the reputation.
But the Patriots are no longer that team. They’re now on the opposite side of that situation. Of course a perceived draft bust would be more excited to try and develop in an elite organization that can also give him a shot at a Super Bowl ring. How many of us wouldn’t have made the same decision as Baker to join the Philadelphia Eagles?
While losing out on Baker might not be the end of the world (he caught one pass for 12 yards on four targets as a rookie), this approach could continue to backfire for Vrabel and the Patriots if they don’t learn from it.
Vrabel must accept that the past is just that. The reality of the moment is that he is the head coach of a team that has made the playoffs once in the last five seasons. These aren’t the Tom Brady-led Patriots anymore. The rest of the league knows that, and it is what leads to decisions like the one Baker made.
Whatever motivated Baker to spurn the offer from Vrabel and New England’s front office to return to the practice squad, it is not something that the Patriots can afford to brush off as nothing to worry about.
