Mike Vrabel called the New England Patriots’ turnover rate an embarrassment on Monday, Oct. 19, after the team’s win over the New York Jets, Boston.com reported. New England had committed 13 turnovers in six games in 2026.
“We turn the ball over at a historic rate, and it’s ridiculous,” Vrabel said during a radio interview. He added: “It’s an embarrassment.”
Mike Vrabel’s blunt assessment of Patriots turnovers
Vrabel’s comments came the morning after New England beat the Jets, 26-19, on Sunday. He had criticized the Patriots’ performance after the game, saying the team “just didn’t play very well” and had been “lucky to win,” according to Boston.com.
Asked Monday whether he saw improvement, Vrabel replied, “Nope, moving on,” then turned his attention to the Patriots’ upcoming game against Chicago. The turnover issue, however, remained a point of frustration when the conversation returned to the team’s fumbles.
Boston.com reported that the Patriots had 13 turnovers through six games, an average of 2.16 per game. The total spans the season’s first six games; it is separate from the two turnovers New England committed against the Jets.
Two fumbles in the Patriots’ 26-19 win over the Jets
Both of New England’s turnovers against New York came on fumbles, Boston.com reported. One involved wide receiver DeMario “Pop” Douglas, whose fumble came up during Vrabel’s interview.
The Patriots won by seven points, but Vrabel’s reaction focused on the repeated ball-security problem rather than treating the result as a reason to dismiss it. His description of the team’s turnover rate as “historic” and “ridiculous” made the issue the clearest criticism he voiced in the interview.
A.J. Brown and Drake Maye’s numbers against New York
A.J. Brown returned to the lineup against the Jets after missing time with a high ankle sprain, Boston.com reported. The receiver caught three passes on 10 targets. Vrabel said he was not concerned about Brown’s performance, while acknowledging that the Patriots needed to finish plays.
“I like the separation, unfortunately we just have to finish,” Vrabel said of Brown’s routes. The comment addressed the result of the targets without suggesting a change to Brown’s role after his return.
Drake Maye completed 18 of 32 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns against New York, according to Boston.com. Vrabel said Maye appeared comfortable but missed a few throws. He also said the Patriots expected the Jets to blitz more than they did, and that Maye was able to progress through what he saw when that pressure did not come.
One of Maye’s touchdowns came on a 42-yard pass to Romeo Doubs, Boston.com reported. That play was part of Maye’s three-touchdown passing day, alongside his 235 yards and 18 completions.
The Patriots’ weekly situational-football meeting
Vrabel also described how New England reviews late-game situations. The Patriots hold a weekly Friday meeting on situational football, covering scenarios that could arise during a game, Boston.com reported.
Vrabel said the coaching staff communicates across offense and defense and works through situations such as managing the clock and deciding what to do when the play clock is running down. He said coaches try to prepare players without pulling too much attention away from the regular game plan, with the quarterback responsible for communicating instructions to the huddle.
The team goes deeper into less common scenarios every few weeks, Vrabel said, while revisiting more frequent situations each Friday. He described that preparation as part of the team’s routine; he did not connect the meetings to the Patriots’ turnover total.
