The New England Patriots have quickly fallen from the team that dominated the NFL for two decades, dropping from a perennial Super Bowl contender to back-to-back seasons with 4-13 records and fired coaches.
That type of drop-off has made it hard for former players such as Patriots Hall of Fame defensive lineman Vince Wilfork to watch his old team
A lot of games I turned off because of (the defense’s performance),” Wilfork told MassLive’s Karen Guregian.
For years, New England was known for their defensive prowess, but in their first year after parting ways with head coach Bill Belichick, they struggled on that side of the ball. In 2024, they finished 21st in both points allowed (24.5) and yards allowed (342.9).
“I was taught a long time ago in Pop Warner that you stop the run,” Wilfork said. “That’s what it is. And we’ve been known defensively for being able to stop the run throughout the whole two decades with Bill (Belichick). That was one of our fortes. We were going to be physical up front, we were going to stop the run, we were going to be tough, we were going to be smart.
“It was inconsistent (with the 2024 Patriots). I didn’t see that enough. And the guys that were supposed to make plays, weren’t making plays. So, it was just something that I wasn’t used to seeing, and I just couldn’t believe it.”
Now, with Mike Vrabel, another one of Wilfork’s former teammates, leading the Patriots in 2025, he believes there will be changes.
“I tell you what, (Mike) Vrabel is going to nip that in the tail real quick,” Wilfork said. “That’s why I’m so happy and excited that he’s in charge.”
