Patriots star Keion White sparks controversy by calling Mike Vrabel the ‘real coach,’ taking subtle shot at Jerod Mayo

Mike Vrabel’s return to Foxborough is already stirring major waves, and not just among fans. Less than six months after taking over as head coach of the New England Patriots, Vrabel’s influence is being felt in the locker room — and defensive lineman Keion White is leading that conversation.

Keion White highlights leadership void Patriots faced in 2024

Speaking after Tuesday’s OTA session, Keion White offered a pointed perspective that seemingly drew a line between the present and the disappointing 2024 season under former coach Jerod Mayo.“Now, I feel like I have a coach,” White said, in a statement reshared by @SavageSports, when asked about the shift inside the Patriots’ locker room. The comment, while brief, spoke volumes. White followed it with praise for Vrabel’s work ethic and no-nonsense leadership style.“I like Mike. He leads with work. I can respect that. It’s similar to Bill [Belichick], just with a younger face. I think we all know how I feel about that; I liked him.”

The 2024 season ended in frustration for New England, culminating in a 4–13 record and a humiliating 40–7 loss to the Chargers. White’s remarks suggest that accountability may have been lacking — and that Vrabel is addressing that head-on. “He says all the time he’s going to be hardest on his best players.

And so he’s shown that… nobody is bigger than the program.”

Vrabel demands standards as Patriots Eye a culture reset

Before players broke for summer, Vrabel delivered a firm message at his June 10 presser. “We all have to work together to achieve a goal,” he said, emphasizing team-first mentality and conditioning. “It’s critical they come back in shape… players have to hold up their end of the bargain,” Vrabel added.

Also read: Detroit Lions dominate NFLPA jersey sales list with five players in top 50With player support building and structure returning, Vrabel’s early tenure signals a serious culture reboot in New England