Mike Vrabel has taken a no-nonsense approach to the media at press conferences since taking over as the head coach of the New England Patriots.
An approach that very much mirrors his strict but player-first attitude towards coaching, one of the reasons why he was arguably the most coveted head-coaching candidate in the 2025, after spending a year on the sidelines since leaving the Tennessee Titans.
And Vrabel was back at it again on Thursday. Speaking to Scott Zolak on 985 The Sports Hub, Vrabel poured cold water onto rumors bought up by the radio presenter that both safety, Kyle Dugger and outside linebacker, Anfernee Jennings could be on the trade block.
Mike Vrabel Downplays Trade Rumors For Dugger and Jennings
“I don’t know, you reported a lot of things that may not have been true,” Vrabel said to Zolak on Thursday, via Mark Daniels, taking a dig at the radio host, “so I wouldn’t put a lot of stock in the reports that go around. You know that better than anybody.”
Both Dugger and Jennings are in the second years of their respective contracts signed last offseason, Dugger’s being for four years and $58 million, Jennings for three years and $12 million.
Although Zolak was not made to look in that interview, perhaps it is slightly undue. The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan reported on Wednesday that both players were available to trade, according to his sources around the league.
Callahan points to Dugger’s loss of form after coming back from injury last season, along with Jennings’ position buried in the depths of the roster at outside linebacker – although he admits that the linebacker’s recent play could keep him on the team, at least for now.
Prior Reports Suggested Both Players Could Be Moved Soon
“The Patriots recently raised Duggerâs name in talks with at least one team,” Callahan reported on Thursday, “while the front office has long been willing to take offers on him and Jennings, sources said.
The writing seems to be on the wall for Dugger, who played through the end of last Saturdayâs preseason game in Minnesota and practiced with the scout-team defense this week. The 29-year-old safety appears to have lost a step, following a high ankle sprain he suffered and played on for three months last season. After sitting out spring practices, Dugger opened training camp as a full participant, then tumbled down the depth chart. Fourth-round rookie Craig Woodson has replaced him in the starting defense.”
“…Jenningsâ name was raised in exploratory discussions earlier this summer, according to a source, though his recent performance in practice and the preseason may have changed his status with the team. Before recording three sacks in Saturdayâs preseason game, Jennings enjoyed his best week of practice all summer. The 27-year-old has been cast as a questionable scheme fit in coach Mike Vrabelâs new, attacking style of defense.”
Vrabel never actually explicitly said that neither would be traded, although he did downplay the rumor itself – saying that people “should not put a lot of stock into it”.
Dugger remains a starter in the team – ahead of Craig Woodson – per ESPN’s unofficial depth chart for NE , but continued poor performances and mistakes made in camp could see him depart if the team can find a trade partner – even if Vrabel won’t admit it just yet.
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