Not like his predecessor Jerod Mayo, one other former Patriot, Vrabel’s resume ought to get him multiple 12 months to rebuild the workforce within the absence of former head coach and future Corridor of Famer Invoice Belichick. Mayo’s rent got here as a shock to a lot of the NFL in 2024 however nobody can be shocked to see Vrabel enhance on the workforce’s 4-13 report.
Buffalo Payments | Playoff video games in opposition to the Chiefs | Not tremendous
Buffalo is 36-20-1 in opposition to Kansas Metropolis all-time and beat the Chiefs 30-21 in Week 11, however its playoff report in opposition to the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions in recent times is something however good.
In 2020, quarterback Josh Allen put up 375 complete yards and a pair of touchdowns, solely to lose to Kansas Metropolis within the AFC Championship Recreation. A 12 months later, he accounted for 397 yards with 4 landing passes whereas shedding to the Chiefs 42-36 in time beyond regulation of the divisional spherical of the playoffs.
Cincinnati had the distinction of eliminating Buffalo from the playoffs in 2022 however Kansas Metropolis was again at it in 2023, beating Buffalo 27-24, as soon as once more within the divisional spherical. So whereas this 12 months’s 32-29 loss to the Chiefs within the convention championship recreation absolutely stings Payments followers, they in all probability ought to have seen it coming.
New York Jets | Aaron Glenn | Tremendous
Just like the Patriots, the Jets’ new head coach is the very best factor the workforce has going proper now. Glenn spent the primary eight seasons of his profession taking part in cornerback for the Jets earlier than shifting on to the Texans in 2002.
He’s been an assistant coach since 2014 and spent the final 4 seasons as defensive coordinator for the Lions. Detroit entered Week 18 with 13 defensive gamers on injured reserve, together with six defensive starters like Professional Bowl defensive finish Aidan Hutchinson.
Nonetheless, Glenn’s protection allowed simply 20.1 factors per recreation within the common season, the seventh-fewest within the league. Simply think about what he can do with a Jets protection that gave up simply 313.7 yards per recreation, the third-best quantity within the league final 12 months.
Miami Dolphins | Tyreek Hill’s mindset | Not tremendous
After signing a restructured deal in July that assured him $65M over the subsequent three years, the Dolphins large receiver mentioned, “I wish to keep right here in Miami as a result of clearly that is the place household is now. All people loves it right here. Household loves it, spouse loves it, children adore it. So clearly I adore it.”
Following the workforce’s 8-9 season, Hill mentioned he’d do what’s finest for his household, telling reporters, “I’m out. It was nice taking part in right here.” Extra just lately, he popped off while livestreaming a video game, saying Miami wanted to “put some stress on [expletive], repair this [expletive] and add some [expletive] canine on this [expletive].”
Sturdy phrases however perhaps ill-timed contemplating Hill’s 56.4 yards per recreation common in 2024. Anticipate his identify to come back up in commerce rumors all through the offseason.