The New England Patriots did not stop their roster moves on the Tuesday deadline. Three of the players who made the initial roster have already been cut. While two of them were bubble players to begin with, the decision to part way with the fan-favorite NFL vet Jabrill Peppers has struck a nerve with a few fans.
Patriots’ blogger Ryan Bunton ripped executive vice president Eliot Wolf’s decision in his latest article titled “Patriots Put Undeserved Trust in Young Front Office with Jabrill Peppers’ Release.”
“Peppers’ release once again highlights uncertainty over the power structure within the walls of One Patriot Place,” Bunton writes. “What seems clear is this: Eliot Wolf retains his role as the head player personnel executive, with Vrabel associate Ryan Cowden assuming the No. 2 role behind Wolf.”
Wolf was given his official title in May of 2024, after the firing and hiring of the previous two Pats coaches. He was given control over salary cap and final roster management. His first year in power was regrettable, but the organization renewed their trust in the 43-year-old VP this season.
But Bunton’s beef is not with Wolf, it is with the inconsistency. Under a title that grants him the final decision, it appears as though the decisions to release Bourne, and Baker, and Peppers, were not his to make.
“Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed that Vrabel would have a ‘heavy hand’ in personnel decisions,” Bunton continues. “Patriots insider Tom E. Curran also promoted that dynamic in his reporting, stating that ‘Mike Vrabel will be the final decision maker’ and furthering the idea raised by Breer that Wolf is functioning in a ‘support role.’”
Is This A Repeat Of Bill Belichick?
When former Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick was in town, there was no question of who was in charge. The team didn’t even bother to name a general manager, it was Belichick ball through and through.
“For much of the New England Dynasty, regardless of the uncertainty from Patriots fans around particular roster decisions, there was always overwhelming certainty about who was making that roster decision. It was Bill Belichick’s show. Even as ownership peddled the narrative of a more collaborative front office in Belichick’s twilight years in Foxborough, Belichick was never overthrown as the final decision maker,” Bunton recounts.
“Now, the chain of command appears much murkier.”
Despite what you think about Wolf’s two years in charge, it is clear that Vrabel has a much larger impact in roster decisions than previously stated. I don’t necessarily think it is a bad thing for a head coach like Vrabel to have a large impact in the front office, but it is undeniably messy when undefined roles clash.
Eliot Wolf’s 2024
In Wolf’s first year in power, he signed Kyle Dugger to a massive multi-year decision, and he inked up Jabrill Peppers to a similar three year deal. Two players that have become contract nightmares ahead of the 2025 campaign.
He also drafted a class of which one player remains, Drake Maye. This is a potentially franchise altering mistake on the part of the Patriots. Wasting an entire year of development and coming up empty.
As Vrabel takes on more responsibility, Wolf’s role in the building will continue to come under fire.
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