Former Patriots RB Surprisingly Praises Patriots Who Want a Reunion with Coach Vrabel After Loss to Rams
October 15, 2025 – In the wake of a disheartening 28-24 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night at SoFi Stadium, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel finds himself at the center of fervent fan speculation. With the team slipping to a 4-2 record and questions mounting about offensive consistency under rookie quarterback Drake Maye, a vocal contingent of Patriots supporters has reignited calls for a blockbuster reunion: trading for Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry to pair with Vrabel’s hard-nosed, run-first philosophy. The idea, which gained traction during the offseason, has surged anew on social media and sports talk radio, framing Henry as the “missing piece” to unlock Vrabel’s blueprint for AFC dominance.
The loss to the Rams exposed familiar vulnerabilities in New England’s ground game, where Rhamondre Stevenson managed just 62 yards on 18 carries against a stout Los Angeles front. Maye, in his third start, showed flashes of brilliance with 285 passing yards and two touchdowns but was sacked four times, underscoring the need for a more punishing rushing attack to complement his development. Postgame, Vrabel was measured in his assessment, praising the young signal-caller’s poise while lamenting self-inflicted errors: “We left too many plays out there. It’s on us to execute, especially up front.” Yet, as clips of Kyren Williams’ 112-yard performance for the Rams circulated online, #TradeForHenry trended nationwide, with fans invoking Vrabel’s Titans tenure—where he orchestrated Henry’s league-leading 2,027 rushing yards in 2020—as the gold standard for physical, identity-driven football.
Adding an unexpected layer to the discourse is a surprising endorsement from an unlikely source: a former Patriots running back who knows the grind of Vrabel’s system all too well. Speaking on a Baltimore-area sports podcast Monday morning, the ex-player expressed admiration for the Patriots fanbase’s boldness in pushing for the reunion, calling it a “smart, gutsy move” that could “transform the locker room overnight.” He highlighted Henry’s enduring explosiveness at age 31—evidenced by his 112 yards and a touchdown against the Browns last week—and Vrabel’s proven track record of maximizing workhorse backs. “Fans in New England get it,” he said. “They’re not settling for mediocrity. Bringing Derrick back with Coach V? That’d be thunder and lightning all over again—respect to Pats Nation for dreaming big.”
That voice of support belongs to Derrick Henry, the very running back at the heart of the trade buzz. Now in his first season with the Ravens after eight prolific years under Vrabel in Tennessee, Henry spoke glowingly of his former coach during the interview on Ravens Roost Podcast. “Mike’s a leader who builds winners around what works—tough runs, tough defenses,” Henry reflected, drawing parallels to their shared 2020 Offensive Player of the Year campaign. Though he stopped short of endorsing a midseason deal—citing his contentment in Baltimore—the 6-foot-3 powerhouse couldn’t hide his affection for Vrabel, whom he once called “a brother for life” after the Titans’ playoff run. Henry’s comments, which quickly amassed over 500,000 views on YouTube, have only fueled the speculation, with oddsmakers installing the Patriots at +400 to acquire him before the November 5 trade deadline.
For Vrabel, now in his first year helming the Patriots after a controversial exit from Tennessee, the buzz represents both validation and pressure. Hired in January amid a roster overhaul, the three-time Super Bowl champion as a player has instilled a gritty identity, boasting the league’s top-ranked defense (allowing just 16.8 points per game). But with the offense ranking 24th in rushing (98.3 yards per game), whispers of a Henry pursuit have grown louder, especially after reports surfaced of the Ravens’ 1-5 skid potentially opening the door to salary-cap maneuvers. Analysts like ESPN’s Bill Simmons, who first floated the trade idea last week, argue it aligns perfectly: Stevenson as a complementary piece, a second-round pick as currency, and Henry’s veteran presence to mentor Maye. “Vrabel and Henry together? That’s not a trade; that’s a statement,” Simmons tweeted.
As the Patriots return to Foxborough for a Thursday night clash with the winless Jaguars, the front office faces a pivotal crossroads. Henry’s endorsement adds emotional weight to a pragmatic play, but Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has dismissed trade talk as “premature.” For now, it’s a tantalizing “what if” that underscores Vrabel’s magnetic pull—and Henry’s enduring legacy. In a league where reunions can rewrite narratives, New England’s faithful are holding their breath, hoping this one materializes before the deadline.
